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.
94 words
police
A2
/pəˈliːs/
The official organization, and its members, whose job is to keep order, prevent crime, and make sure people obey the law.
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law
A2
/lɔ/
An official rule that everyone in a country or community must obey.
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court
A2
/ˈkɔɹt/
A place where legal cases are heard and judged.
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government
A2
/ˈɡʌv.ɚ(n).mənt/
The group of people who officially control and run a country.
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judge
B1
/d͡ʒʌd͡ʒ/
An official who controls a court of law and decides how criminals should be punished.
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duty
B1
/ˈdjuː.ti/
Something you have to do because it is right or because the law or your job requires it.
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rule
A1
/ɹuːl/
An instruction that says what you are or are not allowed to do.
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vote
B1
/voʊt/
To formally show which person or choice you support in an election or decision.
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legal
B1
/ˈli.ɡəl/
Allowed or required by law.
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license
A2
/ˈlaɪ.səns/
An official document that gives you permission to do or own something.
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illegal
A2
/ɪˈli.ɡəl/
Not allowed by the law.
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warrant
C1
/ˈwɔɹənt/
An official document allowing police to search, seize, or arrest someone.
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authority
B1
/əˈθɔɹədi/
The power or right to give orders and make people obey.
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policy
B1
/ˈpɑ.lə.si/
An official plan or set of rules that a government, company, or person decides to follow.
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election
B1
/ɪˈlɛkʃn/
An event in which people vote to choose a leader or representative.
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permit
B1
/pɚˈmɪt/
To allow someone to do something.
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penalty
B2
/ˈpɛn.əl.ti/
A punishment given for breaking a rule or law.
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verdict
C1
/ˈvɝ.dɪkt/
The decision a jury or judge makes about whether someone is guilty in a court case.
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settlement
B1
/ˈsɛ.təl.mənt/
An official agreement that ends a dispute, often without going to court.
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parliament
B2
/ˈpɑɹ.lə.mənt/
The group of elected people who make a country's laws.
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coroner
C2
/ˈkɔɹ.ə.nɚ/
A public official who presides over an inquest into unnatural deaths, and who may have (or historically had) additional powers such as investigating cases of treasure trove.
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constitution
B1
/ˌkɑn.stɪˈtu.ʃ(ə)n/
The set of basic laws and principles by which a country or organization is governed.
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obligation
B2
/ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/
Something you must do because of a law, promise, or moral duty.
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ruling
C1
/ˈɹuːlɪŋ/
An official decision made by a court or someone in authority.
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magistrate
C1
/ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪˌstɹeɪt/
An official who acts as a judge in a lower court, dealing with minor offences.
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chancellor
B2
/ˈt͡ʃænsələ/
A senior government official, often in charge of finance or law.
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jurisdiction
C1
/d͡ʒʊɹɪsˈdɪkʃən/
The official power to make legal decisions and apply the law.
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patent
C1
/ˈpætənt/
An official right giving an inventor sole control over making and selling an invention for a set period.
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notary
C1
/ˈnoʊ.t̬ɚ.i/
a public official authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify that documents are genuine
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legislation
B2
/ˌlɛd͡ʒɪˈsleɪʃən/
A law or set of laws made by a government.
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requirement
B1
/ɹɪˈkwaɪɹmənt/
Something that you must have or do, especially by rule or law.
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copyright
B1
/ˈkɑpiˌɹaɪt/
The legal right to control who can copy, publish, and sell a creative work.
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eviction
C2
/ɪˈvɪk.ʃən/
the expulsion of someone, such as a tenant, from the possession of land by process of law
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loophole
C1
/ˈluːphoʊl/
an ambiguity, omission, or exception in a law or rule that allows its purpose to be avoided
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evict
C2
/iˈvɪkt/
expel from one's property or force to move out by a legal process
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regency
B2
/ˈriːdʒənsi/
government by a regent on behalf of a monarch who is absent, underage, or unable to rule
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diocese
C2
/ˈdaɪ.ə.sɪs/
a district under the pastoral and administrative authority of a bishop
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transgression
C2
/trɑːnzˈɡrɛʃn/
A violation of a law, duty or commandment.
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entitlement
C1
/ənˈtaɪtəlmənt/
right granted by law or contract (especially a right to benefits)
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crier
B2
/ˈkɹaɪɚ/
historical: an official who publicly announced news, proclamations, or court proceedings
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coastguard
C2
/ˈkoʊstɡɑːrd/
chiefly British, an official employed to watch coastal waters, help vessels in danger, and enforce maritime law
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criterion
B2
/kɹɪˈtɪəɹi.ən/
A standard or rule used to judge or compare things.
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suffrage
C1
/ˈsʌf.rɪdʒ/
the legal right to vote in political elections
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intendant
C2
/ɪnˈtɛndənt/
a public administrator or governor, especially an official in historical France, Spain, Portugal, or their colonies
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functionary
C2
/ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃəˌnɛ.ri/
an official, especially one in a government or large organization, who performs prescribed duties
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laissez-faire
C2
/ˌleɪ.zeɪˈfer/
an economic doctrine or policy favoring minimal government intervention in trade, industry, and markets
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sequestration
C2
/ˌsɛkwəˈstreɪʃən/
law: the seizure, isolation, or placing in custody of property by legal authority
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droit
C2
/dɹɔɪt/
a legal right, entitlement, or lawful claim
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usurpation
C2
/ˌjuː.sɚˈpeɪ.ʃən/
the wrongful seizure and exercise of power, office, authority, or a right
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abrogation
C2
/ˌæbrəˈɡeɪʃən/
the formal repeal, abolition, or annulment of a law, agreement, right, or custom
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chieftainship
C2
/ˈtʃiːftənˌʃɪp/
the position, authority, or period of rule of a chieftain
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purveyance
C2
/pɚˈveɪəns/
historical British law: the Crown's right to requisition provisions, transport, or other goods and services for royal use at fixed prices
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monism
C2
/ˈmɑnɪzəm/
The doctrine that there is a single source of political authority, especially that the church is subordinate to the state or vice versa.
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malversation
C2
/ˌmæl.vɚˈseɪ.ʃən/
corrupt or dishonest conduct in a public office, trust, or administrative role
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maladministration
C2
/ˌmælədˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃən/
faulty, improper, or inefficient management, especially by a public authority
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cursitor
C2
/ˈkɝsɪtɚ/
historical English law: a clerk in the Court of Chancery who prepared original writs issued as a matter of routine
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ID card
A2
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edict
C2+
/ˈidɪkt/
an official order or proclamation issued by an authority
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decree
C2+
/dɪˈkri/
an official order having the force of law
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malfeasance
C2+
/mælˈfizəns/
wrongdoing, especially misconduct by a public official
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bailiff
C2+
/ˈbeɪlɪf/
an official who maintains order in a court or executes legal writs
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cabal
C2+
/kəˈbæl/
a secret group plotting against a government or authority
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congress
C2+
/ˈkɑŋɡrəs/
a formal assembly of representatives, or a coming together
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directive
C2+
/dɪˈrɛktɪv/
an official instruction or order issued by an authority
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enfranchisement
C2+
/ɛnˈfræntʃɪzmənt/
the granting of the right to vote or of civil liberties
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impeachment
C2+
/ɪmˈpitʃmənt/
the formal charging of a public official with misconduct
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infraction
C2+
/ɪnˈfrækʃən/
a breach or violation of a law, rule, or agreement
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junket
C2+
/ˈdʒʌŋkɪt/
a trip taken by an official at public expense, often as a perk
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proclamation
C2+
/ˌprɑkləˈmeɪʃən/
an official public announcement
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bylaw
C2+
/ˈbaɪlɔ/
a rule made by an organization or local authority to regulate its affairs
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chancery
C2+
/ˈtʃænsəri/
a court of equity or the public records office of a court
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constitutionist
C2+
/ˌkɑnstəˈtuʃənɪst/
a supporter or adherent of a particular constitution or constitutional government
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ordinance
C2+
/ˈɔrdɪnəns/
an authoritative rule or law, especially one made by a municipality
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summons
C2+
/ˈsʌmənz/
an order to appear before a court or authority
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lastage
C2
A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will.
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amercement
C2
/əˈmɝsmənt/
historical law: a monetary penalty whose amount was set at the discretion of a court or lord
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dicast
C2+
/ˈdaɪˌkæst/
a citizen of ancient Athens chosen to serve as both judge and juror in a popular court
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muniment
C2
/ˈmjunəmənt/
a legal deed, charter, or other document preserved as evidence of a right or title
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probate
C2
/ˈpɹoʊbeɪt/
the legal process of establishing that a deceased person's will is valid
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mistrial
C2
/ˈmɪsˌtɹaɪəl/
a trial that is ended without a valid result because of a serious procedural problem or a jury that cannot agree
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curfew
C2
/ˈkɝ.fju/
a rule requiring people to remain indoors or at home during specified hours
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quorum
C2
/ˈkwɔːɹəm/
the minimum number of members who must be present for a group to conduct official business
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subpoena
C2
/səˈpi.nə/
a formal legal order requiring someone to give testimony or provide evidence in a proceeding
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adhere to
C2
to follow a rule, principle, or agreed requirement
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clamp down
C2
to take strict action to stop an unwanted activity
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comply with
C1
to act according to a rule, requirement, or request
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conform to
C1
to follow or meet a stated rule, standard, or expectation
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encroach upon
C2
to gradually intrude on another person's space, rights, or activities
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enter upon
A2
to take possession of land or property
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inquire into
B2
to investigate or seek information about a matter
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preside over
C1
to lead or hold authority over an organization or activity
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sign over
A2
to transfer ownership formally by signing a document
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strike off
A2
to remove a name or item from an official list
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swear in
B1
to admit someone formally to office by having them take an oath
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