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.
Choose your level
All 27,899 wordsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
272 words
saw
A1
/sɑ/
To cut something using a saw.
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machine
A1
/məˈʃiːn/
A device with moving parts that uses power to do a particular job.
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lock
A2
/lɑk/
A device that keeps a door, box, or gate shut and is opened with a key or code.
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knife
A2
/ˈnɐɪ̯f/
A tool with a sharp blade and a handle, used for cutting.
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bridge
A2
/bɹɪd͡ʒ/
A structure built over a river, road, or gap so that people can cross it.
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alarm
A2
/əˈlɑɹm/
A device that makes a loud sound to warn of danger.
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screw
A2
/skɹuː/
A small metal pin with a spiral thread, turned to fasten things together.
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clock
A1
/klɑk/
A device that shows the time, usually on a wall or table.
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telephone
A1
/ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/
A device used to talk with someone over a distance by converting sound into electrical signals.
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switch
B1
/swɪt͡ʃ/
A small device you press or move to turn electricity or a machine on and off.
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trap
A2
/tɹæp/
A device made to catch animals.
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factory
A2
/ˈfæk.tɚ.i/
A building where goods are made, usually using machines.
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technology
A2
/tɛkˈnɑ.lə.dʒi/
Machines, equipment, and methods created from scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
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equipment
B1
/ɪˈkwɪp.mənt/
The tools, machines, or items needed for a particular activity.
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device
B1
/dɪˈvaɪs/
A piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially an electronic or mechanical one.
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pen
A1
/pɛn/
A thin instrument that holds ink and is used for writing or drawing.
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guitar
A1
/ɡɪˈtɑɹ/
A musical instrument with six strings and a long neck, played with the fingers or a pick.
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siren
B2
/ˈsaɪɹən/
a device that produces a loud, rising and falling sound as a warning, or the sound it makes
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gear
B2
/ˈɡiə/
The equipment, clothing, or tools needed for a particular activity.
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robot
B1
/ˈɹəʊ̯.bɒt/
A machine that can carry out tasks automatically, often programmed to move and work like a person.
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nail
B1
/neɪl/
The hard, thin covering at the end of a finger or toe.
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hammer
B1
/ˈhæm.ɚ/
A tool with a heavy metal head and a handle, used for hitting nails.
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blade
B2
/bleɪd/
The flat, sharp cutting part of a knife, sword, or tool.
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crane
B2
/kɹeɪn/
a tall machine with a projecting arm, used to lift and move heavy objects
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motor
B1
/ˈmoʊtəɹ/
A machine that uses electricity or fuel to produce movement and power something.
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battery
A2
/ˈbæt.əɹi/
A device that stores power and is used to run electrical things.
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pump
B1
/pʌmp/
A machine that moves liquid or gas from one place to another.
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tool
A2
/tuːl/
A device you hold and use to do a particular job.
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lighter
B1
/ˈlaɪtɚ/
A small device that produces a flame, used for lighting cigarettes or candles.
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lamp
A2
/ˈlæ̝mp/
A device that gives light, especially one you can move around a room.
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speaker
A2
/ˈspikɚ/
A device that produces sound from a phone, computer, or stereo.
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drum
B1
/ˈdɹʌm/
A musical instrument that you hit with sticks or your hands to make a beat.
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pencil
A1
/ˈpɛnsəl/
A thin wooden instrument with a grey or coloured centre, used for writing or drawing.
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mode
B2
/moʊd/
A particular way in which a machine or system operates.
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scissors
A2
/ˈsɪzɚz/
A tool for cutting paper, cloth, and other thin materials, made of two blades joined at a pivot.
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invention
A2
/ˌɪnˈvɛnʃən/
A new device or process that someone has created for the first time.
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buzzer
C1
/ˈbʌzɚ/
A device that makes a buzzing sound as a signal.
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clip
B1
/klɪp/
A small device used to hold things together or in place.
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fork
A2
/fɔɹk/
A tool with a handle and several points, used for eating or serving food.
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brake
A2
/bɹeɪk/
A device that slows down or stops a wheel or vehicle.
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maintenance
B1
/ˈmeɪnt(ə)nəns/
The work of keeping a machine, building, or system in good condition.
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razor
B1
/ˈɹeɪzɚ/
A sharp tool used to shave hair from the skin.
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violin
A2
/ˌvaɪ.əˈlɪn/
A small wooden stringed instrument with four strings, held under the chin and played with a bow.
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breakdown
B2
/ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn/
A failure of a machine or system to keep working.
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generator
B2
/ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɚ/
a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
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refrigerator
A2
/ɹɪˈfɹɪd͡ʒ.əˌɹeɪ.tɚ/
A machine that keeps food and drinks cold so they stay fresh.
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gong
C2
/ɡɔŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer
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comb
A2
/koʊm/
A flat tool with a row of thin teeth, used to tidy and straighten your hair.
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microphone
B2
/ˈmaɪ.kɹəˌfoʊn/
A device that turns sound into an electrical signal so it can be recorded or made louder.
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facilities
B2
/fəˈsɪlɪtiz/
Buildings, equipment, or services provided for a particular purpose.
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mechanism
C1
/ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/
A part of a machine or a set of moving parts that does a particular job.
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fax
B1
/fæks/
A document sent or received using a fax machine.
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trumpet
B1
/ˈtɹʌmpɪt/
A brass musical instrument that you play by blowing into it, making a bright, high sound.
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recorder
B1
/ɹɪˈkɔɹdɚ/
a simple woodwind instrument played by blowing through a fipple and covering finger holes
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flute
B1
/flu(ː)t/
A musical instrument shaped like a long tube, played by blowing across a hole near one end.
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valve
B1
/ˈvælv/
a control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid
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transmitter
C2
/trænˈsmɪtɝ/
A device that sends out radio, television, or other signals.
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mop
B1
/mɑp/
a cleaning tool with an absorbent head fixed to a long handle, used especially for washing floors
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detector
B2
/dɪˈtɛktɝ/
a device that senses and registers a substance, signal, or physical phenomenon
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cutter
B2
/ˈkʌtɚ/
a tool or machine used for cutting a particular material
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gadget
C1
/ɡæd͡ʒ.ɪt/
A small, often clever device or tool that does a particular job.
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ax
B2
/æks/
A tool with a heavy metal blade on a handle, used for cutting wood.
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pedal
B2
/ˈpɛdəl/
A lever you press with your foot to control or power a machine such as a bicycle, car, or piano.
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burner
B1
/ˈbɝː.nɚ/
a device or part of a device in which fuel burns to produce heat
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heater
B1
/ˈhitɚ/
A machine that produces heat to warm a room, building, or water.
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screwdriver
B2
/ˈskɹuˌdɹaɪvɚ/
a hand or power tool shaped to engage a screw head so that the screw can be tightened or loosened
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rooftop
B2
/ˈruːf.tɑːp/
the outside upper surface of a building's roof
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microscope
B2
/ˈmaɪ.kɹəˌskoʊp/
An instrument that makes very small objects look much bigger so they can be studied.
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component
B2
/kəmˈpoʊnənt/
One of the parts that make up a larger machine, system, or whole.
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dishwasher
B1
/ˈdɪʃˌwɑʃɚ/
A machine for washing dishes automatically.
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binoculars
B1
/bəˈnɑːkjəlɝz/
an optical instrument designed for simultaneous use by both eyes
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cello
B2
/ˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/
A large wooden string instrument played with a bow while seated.
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radiator
C1
/ˈreɪdiˌeɪtɚ/
A metal device that gives off heat to warm a room, usually carrying hot water or steam.
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bugle
C2
/ˈbjuːɡəl/
a simple brass instrument, usually without valves, used especially for military signals
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apparatus
C1
/ˌæp.əˈɹeɪ.təs/
A complex machine or set of equipment built for a particular job.
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clockwork
C2+
/ˈklɑkwɝk/
A mechanism powered by a coiled spring and regulated by some form of escapement; the power is transmitted through toothed gearwheels and used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device.
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charger
B1
/ˈtʃɑːrdʒɚ/
a device that supplies electrical power to recharge a battery
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labyrinth
C2+
/ˈlæb.ə.ɹɪnθ/
A maze-like structure built by Daedalus in Knossos, containing the Minotaur.
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thermometer
B2
/θɚˈmɒmɪtɚ/
An instrument used to measure temperature.
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muller
C2+
/ˈmʌləɹ/
A machine that mixes clay and sand under a roller for use in preparing a mould for metal casting.
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scuba
B2
/ˈskuːbə/
Breathing equipment that lets divers stay and breathe underwater.
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saxophone
B2
/ˈsæksəˌfoʊn/
a usually brass, single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical tube and finger-operated keys
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contraption
C2
/kənˈtræpʃən/
A strange or overly complicated machine or device.
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plough
C2
/plaʊ/
a farm tool used to cut and turn over soil before planting
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windmill
B1
/ˈwɪndˌmɪl/
a machine that uses wind-driven sails or blades to provide power, especially for grinding grain or pumping water
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ventilator
C2
/ˈvɛntɪleɪtə/
a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure
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calculator
B1
/ˈkæl.kjə.leɪ.tə(ɹ)/
A small electronic machine used for doing sums.
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loudspeaker
B1
/ˈlaʊdspiːkɚ/
A device that turns an electrical signal into sound loud enough to be heard at a distance.
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clarinet
C2
/ˌklæɹɪˈnɛt/
A woodwind musical instrument that has a distinctive liquid tone whose characteristics vary among its three registers: chalumeau (low), clarion (medium), and altissimo (high).
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chisel
C1
/ˈt͡ʃɪzəl/
A hand tool with a sharp flat blade, used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, or metal.
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trombone
B2
/trɑmˈboʊn/
a low-pitched brass instrument whose tube is usually lengthened and shortened with a movable slide
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pacemaker
C2
/ˈpeɪsˌmeɪkər/
a small implanted electronic device that regulates an abnormal heartbeat
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sickle
C2
/ˈsɪkəl/
a short-handled agricultural tool with a curved blade, used for cutting grain or grass
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appliance
C1
/əˈplaɪ.əns/
A machine or device used in the home, such as a fridge or washing machine.
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catapult
B2
/ˈkætəˌpʌlt/
a device or ancient engine that launches a projectile with force
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periscope
C2
/ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/
an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field
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