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.
1043 words
tomfoolery
C2
/ˌtɑːmˈfuː.lɚ.i/
playful, foolish, or nonsensical behavior or talk
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
litany
C2
/ˈlɪtəni/
any long and tedious address or recital
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sufferer
C1
/ˈsʌfɝɝ/
One who suffers; one who is afflicted.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
forefinger
C2
/ˈfɔɹˌfɪŋ.ɡɚ/
the finger next to the thumb; the index finger
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
lichen
C2
/ˈlaɪ.kən/
Any of many symbiotic organisms, being associations of algae and fungi, often found as white or yellow-to-blue–green patches on rocks, old walls, etc.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pitter-patter
C2
/ˈpɪtərˌpætər/
a rapid succession of light tapping sounds, especially footsteps or raindrops
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ulster
C2
/ˈʌlstər/
a long, loose, heavy overcoat, traditionally of rough wool and sometimes made with a shoulder cape
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cancan
C2
/ˈkænˌkæn/
a lively French stage dance performed with high kicks, traditionally by a chorus line
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
roadway
C1
/ˈɹoʊdˌweɪ/
a path made for vehicular travel
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
eye-opener
C1
/ˈaɪˌoʊ.pən.ɚ/
an experience, fact, or revelation that produces a sudden and surprising understanding
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
decanter
C1
/dɪˈkæntə(ɹ)/
A receptacle for decanted liquor, especially a crystal bottle with a stopper.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
ardor
C2
/ˈɑːɹdɚ/
Strong enthusiasm or passion for something.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
tracheotomy
C2
/ˌtreɪkiˈɑtəmi/
a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pincer
C1
/ˈpɪnsɚ/
one of a pair of curved claws or jaws used by an arthropod to grasp or cut
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
mitten
C1
/ˈmɪʔ.n̩/
a glove with one section for the thumb and another shared section for the four fingers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
theologian
C2
/ˌθi.əˈloʊdʒən/
a scholar or specialist who studies theology and religious doctrine
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
breastplate
C2
/ˈbrestˌpleɪt/
a piece of armor that protects the chest or front of the torso
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
crustacean
C2
/kɹʌsˈteɪʃən/
an arthropod such as a crab, lobster, shrimp, or barnacle, usually with a hard shell
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
outpouring
C1
/ˌaʊtˈpɔrɪŋ/
a large flow
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
interloper
C2
/ˌɪntɚˈloʊ̯pɚ/
One who interferes, intrudes or gets involved where not welcome, particularly a self-interested intruder.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
disclaimer
C1
/dɪsˈkleɪm.ɚ/
A denial, disavowal, or renunciation, as of a title, claim, interest, estate, or trust; relinquishment or waiver of an interest or estate.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pageantry
C2
/ˈpædʒ.ən.tri/
elaborate, colorful ceremony and display, especially on a public or royal occasion
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
plover
C2
/ˈplʌvɚ/
a compact shorebird with a short bill, pointed wings, and a habit of running along open ground or water margins
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
freemasonry
C2
/ˈfriˌmeɪsənri/
the organization, beliefs, and ceremonies of the Freemasons
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
consultancy
C1
/kənˈsʌltənsi/
A company that gives expert advice in a particular field.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
narwhal
C2
/ˈnɑːrwəl/
a medium-sized Arctic toothed whale whose male usually bears a long, spirally twisted tusk formed from an upper canine tooth
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cowshed
C2
/ˈkaʊˌʃɛd/
a farm building in which cows are kept
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
odometer
C2
/oʊˈdɑːmətɚ/
a meter that shows mileage traversed
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
zeitgeist
C2
/ˈtsaɪtˌɡaɪst/
the spirit of the time
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
effrontery
C2
/ɪˈfɹʌntəɹi/
Insolent and shameless audacity.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
chronology
C2
/kɹəˈnɑl.ə.d͡ʒi/
The arrangement of events in the order they happened.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pallor
C1
/ˈpælɚ/
Unnatural paleness, especially as a sign of sickness or distress.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
meteorology
C2
/ˌmiːti.əˈɹɑləd͡ʒi/
The scientific study of the atmosphere, especially the weather and forecasting it.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cheval
C2
/ʃəˈvæl/
a supporting frame, especially a frame holding a full-length mirror that can be tilted; also short for cheval glass
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
harmonics
C2
/hɑɹˈmɑnɪks/
the study of musical sounds, harmony, and their acoustic relationships
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pewter
C2
/ˈpjuːtər/
a grey, workable alloy consisting chiefly of tin mixed with small amounts of other metals
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
paleontologist
C1
/ˌpeɪ.li.ənˈtɑː.lə.dʒɪst/
a scientist who studies fossils and life from past geological periods
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
currant
C2
/ˈkʌɹənt/
a small tart red, black, or white berry growing on a shrub of the genus Ribes
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
stargazing
C2
/ˈstɑrˌɡeɪzɪŋ/
observation of the stars
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
midwinter
C2
/ˌmɪdˈwɪntɚ/
the middle and often coldest part of winter
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
interplay
C1
/ˈɪntɚˌpleɪ/
the way two or more things affect, respond to, or depend on one another
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
optician
C1
/ɑːpˈtɪʃən/
a trained professional who makes, fits, and dispenses glasses or contact lenses from a prescription
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sycophant
C2
/ˈsɪkəfænt/
One who uses obsequious compliments to gain self-serving favour or advantage from another; a servile flatterer.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
shoestring
C2
/ˈʃuːstrɪŋ/
a cord or lace used to fasten a shoe
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
oleander
C2
/ˌoʊliˈændɚ/
a poisonous evergreen shrub with narrow leathery leaves and clusters of white, pink, or red flowers, widely grown in warm regions
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
saunter
C2
/ˈsɔntɚ/
a careless leisurely gait
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
asymmetry
C2
/eɪˈsɪmɪtɹi/
An absence of symmetry or proportion between the parts of a thing, or a distinction that produces such a lack of symmetry.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
praetor
C2
/ˈpriːtər/
an annually elected magistrate of the Roman Republic, especially one responsible for administering justice
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
engraver
C2
/ɪnˈɡreɪvɚ/
a craftsperson or artist who cuts words or designs into a hard surface, or prepares engraved plates for printing
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
confectionery
C1
/kənˈfɛkʃənəɹi/
sweets, chocolates, candies, and other foods made chiefly with sugar, considered collectively
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
carbolic
C2
/kɑrˈbɑlɪk/
phenol, especially when used as an antiseptic or disinfectant
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
presbytery
C2
/ˈprɛzbɪtɛri/
in Presbyterian churches, a governing council of ministers and elected elders from congregations in a district
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
six-shooter
C1
/ˈsɪksˌʃuː.tɚ/
a revolver with a cylinder designed to hold six cartridges
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
apoplexy
C2
/ˈæpəplɛksi/
dated: sudden unconsciousness or paralysis caused by a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
homily
C2
/ˈhɑməli/
a sermon explaining a religious or moral subject, especially one based on a passage of scripture
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
shipman
C2
/ˈʃɪpmən/
Synonym of sailor
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
goiter
C2
/ˈɡɔɪtər/
an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland that can cause swelling at the front of the neck
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
noddy
C2
/ˈnɑːdi/
any of several stout-bodied tropical seabirds of the genus Anous, closely related to terns
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
chicanery
C2
/ʃɪˈkæɪn(ə)ɹi/
Deception by the use of trickery, quibbling, or subterfuge.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
shortlist
C1
A short list of the best candidates chosen from a larger group, from which a final choice is made.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
prelate
C2
/ˈprel.ət/
a Christian cleric of high rank or authority, such as a bishop, archbishop, or abbot
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
peasantry
C1
/ˈpɛzəntri/
peasants considered collectively as a rural social class
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
enchanter
C2
/ɪnˈtʃæntɚ/
a magician or sorcerer who casts spells
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hegemony
C2
/hɪˈd͡ʒɛ.mə.ni/
the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
chloral
C2
/ˈklɔːr.əl/
a pungent, colorless oily aldehyde, CCl3CHO, used to make chloral hydrate and other chemicals
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
breakwater
C2
/ˈbreɪkˌwɔtɚ/
a barrier built offshore or at a harbor entrance to reduce the force of waves and protect the water or coast behind it
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
waddy
C2
/ˈwɒdi/
an Australian Aboriginal hardwood club used traditionally for hunting or fighting
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
minutiae
C1
/maɪˈn(j)uːʃ(ɪ)ˌiː/
The very small or unimportant details of something.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
good-day
C1
/ˌɡʊdˈdeɪ/
dated or formal: a greeting or farewell equivalent to good day
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
portent
C1
/ˈpɔɹtənt/
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
calumny
C2
/ˈkæləmni/
Falsifications or misrepresentations intended to disparage or discredit another.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pleurisy
C2
/ˈplʊrəsi/
inflammation of the pleura around the lungs, typically causing sharp pain during breathing
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
looking-glass
C2+
/ˈlʊkɪŋ ˌɡlæs/
Synonym of mirror (“smooth surface that reflects light so as to give an image of what is in front of it”).
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
get-out
C2+
/ˈɡɛtˌaʊt/
US informal, in like all get-out: to an extreme degree or with great speed or force
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
anatomist
C2
/əˈnætəmɪst/
One who studies, teaches, writes on, or does research on anatomy and anatomical structures.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
hosiery
C1
/ˈhoʊʒəri/
socks, stockings, tights, and similar close-fitting garments for the feet and legs, considered collectively
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
buffoonery
C2
/bəˈfuːnəɹi/
Silly, clownish behavior meant to amuse or that looks foolish.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
latchkey
C2
/ˈlætʃˌki/
a key used to open the latch of an outside door
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
guilder
C1
/ˈɡɪldɚ/
the former standard monetary unit of the Netherlands, divided into 100 cents
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
sophistry
C2
/ˈsɑ.fɪ.stɹi/
The actions or arguments of a sophist.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
scullion
C2
/ˈskʌljən/
historical: a low-ranking kitchen servant who performed menial work such as cleaning pots and dishes
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
pinion
C2
/ˈpɪnjən/
the smaller of two meshing gears, or a small gear that engages with a rack
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
schist
C2
/ʃɪst/
a coarse-grained metamorphic rock whose aligned platy minerals allow it to split into thin layers
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
typography
C2
/taɪˈpɑɡɹəfi/
the craft of composing type and printing from it
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
going-over
C1
/ˌɡoʊɪŋˈoʊvɚ/
informal: a severe scolding, reprimand, or beating
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
churchwarden
C2
/ˈtʃɝːtʃˌwɔrdən/
a lay officer responsible for the property, administration, and secular affairs of an Anglican parish
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
cutaway
C2
/ˈkʌtəweɪ/
a drawing, photograph, or model with part of the exterior removed to reveal the internal structure
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
quadrillion
C1
/kwɑˈdɹɪl.i.ən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 15 zeros
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
milkweed
C2
/ˈmɪlkˌwiːd/
any of various plants, especially of the genus Asclepias, with milky sap and pods containing silky-tufted seeds
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
navvy
C2
/ˈnæv.i/
a laborer employed in heavy excavation or construction work, especially on canals, roads, or railways; chiefly British and historical
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
haw-haw
C2+
/ˈhɔˌhɔ/
a loud, coarse, or affected laugh
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
rudiments
C1
/ˈruːdɪmənts/
The basic facts or principles of a subject.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
statuary
C2
/ˈstæ.t͡ʃu.ɛəɹi/
statues considered collectively
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
notepaper
C2
/ˈnoʊtˌpeɪ.pɚ/
paper, often in small sheets with matching envelopes, intended for writing letters or notes
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
panoply
C2
/ˈpænəpli/
A splendid display of something.
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off
turnkey
C2
/ˈtɜː(ɹ)nˌkiː/
a complete product that is ready to be deployed immediately, without further customization
Meaning
Off
Sound
Off