English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2) — 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 27,237 words
296 words
underhand
C1
/ˈʌndɚˌhænd/
dishonest, secretive, or deceitfully indirect
vindication
C2
/vɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/
Proof that someone was right or free from blame.
unjustified
C1
/ʌnˈdʒʌs.tə.faɪd/
not supported by an adequate reason or sufficient evidence; unwarranted
inhumanity
C1
/ˌɪnhjuːˈmænəti/
lack of compassion or the quality of being cruel to other people
frivolity
C2
/fɹɪˈvɑlɪti/
lack of seriousness or sensible purpose in behavior, thought, or speech
barbarity
C2
/bɑːrˈber.ə.ti/
extreme cruelty or brutal, inhuman behavior
undeserving
C1
/ˌʌndɪˈzɝvɪŋ/
not worthy of a reward, benefit, punishment, or particular treatment
unpardonable
C2
/ʌnˈpɑrdənəbəl/
so wrong, offensive, or harmful that it cannot be forgiven or excused
indefensible
C2
/ˌɪndɪˈfɛnsəbəl/
impossible to justify with a reasonable argument
effrontery
C2
/ɪˈfɹʌntəɹi/
Insolent and shameless audacity.
vindicate
C2
/ˈvɪn.dɪˌkeɪt/
To prove that someone is right or free from blame.
meritorious
C2
/ˌmɛrəˈtɔriəs/
deserving praise, honor, or reward because of excellence or good conduct
chronometer
C2
/krə(ʊ)ˈnɒmɪtər/
A device for measuring time, particularly a precision mechanism for measuring time of day.
inviolable
C2
/ɪnˈvaɪələbl̩/
incapable of being transgressed or dishonored
venerate
C1
/ˈvɛnəɹeɪt/
To deeply respect and honour someone or something.
egoism
C1
/ˈiːɡoʊˌɪzəm/
the practice of giving one's own interests and welfare priority over those of others
leastways
C2+
/ˈliːstˌweɪz/
at least
misbehavior
B2
/ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪvjɚ/
behavior that is improper, unacceptable, or contrary to rules
laud
C2
/lɔd/
To praise someone or something highly, often publicly.
officious
C2
/əˈfɪʃəs/
Obliging, attentive, eager to please.
didactic
C2
/daɪˈdæk.tɪk/
Instructive or intended to teach or demonstrate, especially with regard to morality.
irreproachable
C2
/ˌɪrɪˈproʊtʃəbəl/
so blameless or exemplary that no valid criticism can be made
rascally
C2
/ˈræs.kəl.i/
dishonest, unprincipled, or characteristic of a rascal
corruptible
B2
/kəˈrʌptəbəl/
capable of being induced to act dishonestly, especially by bribery
unrighteous
C2
/ʌnˈɹaɪtʃəs/
not morally right or just; wicked or sinful
unsportsmanlike
C2
/ʌnˈspɔːrts.mən.laɪk/
not showing fairness or respect toward an opponent, especially in sport or competition
requite
C2
/rɪˈkwaɪt/
formal: to return or reciprocate a feeling, kindness, or service
devilry
C2
/ˈdɛv.əl.ri/
wicked, cruel, or seemingly diabolical conduct or action
ungentlemanly
C1
/ʌnˈdʒɛntəlmənli/
discourteous, dishonorable, or otherwise contrary to the conduct traditionally expected of a gentleman
unwholesome
C2
/ˌənˈhoʊlsəm/
detrimental to physical or moral well-being
fair-minded
B2
/ˌfɛrˈmaɪndɪd/
willing to judge people or issues impartially and without prejudice
inequity
C2
/ɪnˈɛkwɪti/
An unjust act; a disservice.
iniquitous
C2
/ɪˈnɪk.wə.t̬əs/
grossly unfair, unjust, or morally wrong; wicked (formal)
novitiate
C2+
/nəˈvɪʃi.ət/
The period during which a novice of a religious order undergoes training.
insincerity
C2
/ˌɪnsɪnˈsɛrəti/
the quality of not expressing one's true feelings or intentions; lack of honesty or genuineness
surfeit
C2
/ˈsɝː.fɪt/
An excessive amount of something.
moralize
B2
/ˈmɔːr.ə.laɪz/
to make comments or judgments about right and wrong, often in a self-righteous or tedious way
undervalue
C1
/ˌʌndɚˈvæljuː/
to regard a person, quality, or contribution as less important or worthy than it really is
expedience
C2
/ɪkˈspiːdiəns/
fitness or practical suitability for achieving a particular end
knavish
C2
/ˈneɪ.vɪʃ/
dishonest, deceitful, or unscrupulous
unjustifiable
C1
/ˌʌndʒʌstəˈfaɪəbəl/
impossible to defend as right, reasonable, or warranted
corrupter
B2
/kəˈrʌp.tɚ/
a person, influence, or thing that morally degrades, debases, bribes, contaminates, or otherwise causes corruption
unmerciful
B2
/ʌnˈmɝsɪfəl/
showing no mercy or compassion; excessively harsh
scandalize
B2
/ˈskændəlaɪz/
to shock or offend someone by violating accepted moral or social standards
respecter
B1
/rɪˈspɛktɚ/
a person who respects or shows consideration for someone or something
skulduggery
C2
/ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəɹi/
A devious device or trick.
contemptuously
C2
/kənˈtɛmp.t͡ʃu.əs.li/
In a way that shows complete lack of respect or scorn.
reprove
B2
/ɹɪˈpɹuːv/
To tell someone gently but firmly that they have done something wrong.
maltreat
C1
/ˌmælˈtriːt/
to treat a person or animal cruelly, violently, or without proper care
extenuate
C2
/ɪkˈstɛnjəˌweɪt/
formal: to lessen or try to lessen the seriousness of a fault or offense by offering a partial excuse or mitigating circumstance
indignantly
C2
/ˌɪnˈdɪgnəntˌliː/
In a way that shows anger at something seen as unfair or wrong.
reverential
C2
/ˌrɛvəˈrɛnʃəl/
showing or characterized by deep respect, admiration, or awe
servility
C2
/sɝˈvɪləti/
excessive eagerness to obey or please someone, shown through degrading submissiveness
paternalism
C2
/pəˈtɝnəlɪzəm/
the practice of limiting people's choices while claiming to act for their own good
undefiled
C2
/ˌʌndɪˈfaɪld/
free from moral or spiritual stain, corruption, or violation; pure
upbraid
C2
/ˌʌpˈbɹeɪd/
To criticize severely.
deviltry
C2
/ˈdɛv.əl.tri/
wicked, malicious, or recklessly mischievous behavior
faithlessness
C2
/ˈfeɪθləsnəs/
disloyalty or treacherous failure to keep a promise, commitment, or trust
utilitarianism
C2
/ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteriənɪzəm/
the ethical theory that the best action is the one that produces the greatest overall well-being or happiness
indelicacy
C2
/ɪnˈdɛlɪkəsi/
lack of tact, propriety, or sensitivity in speech or behavior
bounden
C2
/ˈbaʊndən/
archaic except in bounden duty: morally obligatory or binding
vaunt
C2
/vɔnt/
extravagant self-praise
denigration
C2
/ˌdɛnəˈɡɹeɪʃən/
unfair criticism that belittles someone or damages their reputation
roguery
C2
/ˈroʊɡəri/
dishonest, unscrupulous, or criminal behavior characteristic of a rogue
discreditable
C2
/dɪsˈkrɛdɪtəbəl/
deserving disapproval or tending to damage someone's reputation
ill-intentioned
C2+
/ˌɪl ɪnˈtɛnʃənd/
having harmful, dishonest, or malevolent intentions
rascality
C2
/ɹəˈskæləti/
dishonest, unscrupulous, or mischievous behavior characteristic of a rascal
vicissitude
C2
/ˌvɪˈsɪsɪtuːd/
mutability in life or nature, especially successive alternation from one condition to another
uncelebrated
C2
/ʌnˈsɛl.əˌbreɪ.t̬ɪd/
not widely praised, honored, or famous
libertinism
C2
/ˈlɪbərtɪˌnɪzəm/
a way of life marked by self-indulgence, sexual freedom, and rejection of conventional moral restraints
calumniate
C2
/kəˈlʌmni.eɪt/
To make hurtful untrue comments about.
opprobrious
C2
/əˈproʊbriəs/
expressing scornful reproach or abusive criticism
high-mindedness
C2
/ˌhaɪˈmaɪn.dɪd.nəs/
the quality of having noble moral principles, elevated ideals, or generous motives
unmoral
C2
/ʌnˈmɔɹəl/
outside the sphere of moral judgment; neither moral nor immoral
lambaste
C2
/ˌlæmˈbæst/
To scold, reprimand or criticize harshly.
inexpedient
C2
/ˌɪnɪkˈspiːdiənt/
unsuitable or unwise because it is unlikely to achieve the intended result
domineer
C2
/ˌdɑːməˈnɪr/
to control or rule over people in an arrogant, overbearing way
gaucherie
C2
/ˌɡoʊʃəˈɹiː/
a socially awkward or tactless act
sententious
C2
/sɛnˈtɛn.ʃəs/
abounding in or given to pompous or aphoristic moralizing
inconsideration
C2
/ˌɪnkənsɪdəˈreɪʃən/
lack of proper thought or consideration; thoughtlessness
casuistry
C2
/ˈkæʒuːəstɹi/
case-based moral reasoning that applies general principles to particular practical dilemmas
intuitionist
C2
/ˌɪntuˈɪʃənɪst/
philosophy or ethics: an adherent of intuitionism, especially the view that some truths or moral principles are known directly rather than inferred
blackguardly
C2
/ˈblæɡɑɹdli/
dishonorable, unscrupulous, or characteristic of a scoundrel
fawner
C2
/ˈfɔnɚ/
a person who uses excessive flattery or servile behavior to gain favor
esteemable
C2+
/ɪˈstiːməbəl/
worthy of esteem, respect, or admiration
hortatory
C2
/ˈhɔɹtətɔɹi/
Giving exhortation or advice; encouraging.
exceptionable
C2
/ɪkˈsep.ʃən.ə.bəl/
open to objection or criticism; offensive, unacceptable, or otherwise liable to disapproval (formal)
machinate
C2+
/ˈmækɪneɪt/
arrange by systematic planning and united effort
honorableness
C2
the quality of deserving honor or respect
discountenance
C2+
/dɪsˈkaʊntənəns/
formal or dated: to disapprove of something and discourage, withhold support from, or refuse to tolerate it
flagitious
C2
/fləˈdʒɪʃ.əs/
shamefully wicked or criminal; marked by outrageous vice or cruelty
tergiversation
C2
/tɝd͡ʒɪvɚˈseɪʃən/
The act of abandoning something or someone, of changing sides; desertion; betrayal.
censure
C2+
/ˈsɛnʃɚ/
to express formal or severe disapproval of someone or something
esteem
C2+
/ɪˈstim/
respect and admiration felt for a person or thing
abase
C2+
/əˈbeɪs/
to lower in rank, dignity, or esteem; to humble
belaud
C2+
/bɪˈlɔd/
to praise extravagantly or excessively