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.
39 words
music
A1
/ˈmju.zɪk/
Sounds arranged in a pleasing way using melody, rhythm, and harmony.
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note
A1
/noʊt/
A short piece of writing to help you remember something.
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piano
A1
/piˈænoʊ/
A large musical instrument with a keyboard of black and white keys that you press to make sounds.
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timing
B2
/ˈtaɪmɪŋ/
The choice of the right moment for something to happen.
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pitch
B2
/pɪt͡ʃ/
To throw a ball, especially to a batter in baseball.
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string
A2
/ˈstrɪŋ/
Thin cord or rope used for tying things.
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bass
C1
/bæs/
The low range of sound or musical tones.
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brass
B1
/bɹas/
A group of musical instruments made of metal that are played by blowing, such as trumpets and trombones.
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melody
B2
/ˈmɛl.ə.di/
A sequence of musical notes that forms a tune.
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harmony
A2
/ˈhɑ̟ɹ.mə.ni/
A state in which people get along well and agree with one another.
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orchestra
B1
/ˈoɹ.kɪs.tɹə/
A large group of musicians who play instruments together, often including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
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meter
A2
/ˈmitəɹ/
A unit of length equal to 100 centimetres (US spelling of 'metre').
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pause
B1
/pɔz/
A short stop in activity or speech before continuing.
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symphony
A2
/ˈsɪm.fə.ni/
A long piece of music in several parts, usually written for a full orchestra.
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improvise
C2
/ˈɪmpɹəvaɪz/
To make something up or invent it as one goes on; to proceed guided only by imagination, intuition, and guesswork rather than by a careful plan.
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chord
C2
/kɔɹd/
A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.
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tempo
C2
/ˈtɛm.poʊ/
in music, the speed at which a composition is to be played
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variation
B2
/ˌvɛəɹiˈeɪʃn̩/
A change or difference in amount, level, or form.
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concerto
C1
/kənˈt͡ʃɛɹtoʊ/
A piece of music written for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra.
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presto
C1
/ˈprɛs.toʊ/
used to announce a sudden or seemingly magical result
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octave
C2
/ˈɑktɪv/
An interval of twelve semitones spanning eight degrees of the diatonic scale, representing a doubling or halving in pitch frequency.
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sonata
C2
/səˈnɑːtə/
a substantial musical composition for one instrument or a small group, usually arranged in several contrasting movements
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prelude
C2+
/ˈpɹeɪl(j)uːd/
An introductory or preliminary performance or event.
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crescendo
C2
/kɹɪˈʃɛn.doʊ/
a gradual increase in loudness, in music
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notation
B2
/noʊˈteɪ.ʃən/
a system of written symbols and rules used to represent quantities, sounds, moves, or other specialized information
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stave
C2
/steɪv/
one of the narrow strips of wood or metal fitted edge to edge to form a barrel or similar structure
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timbre
C1
/ˈtæm.bɚ/
The quality of a sound independent of its pitch and volume.
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arpeggio
C2
/ɑːrˈpedʒ.i.oʊ/
the notes of a chord played one after another rather than simultaneously
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tremolo
C2
/ˈtrɛm.ə.loʊ/
a musical effect made by rapidly repeating one note or alternating between two notes
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semitone
B2
/ˈsɛmɪtoʊn/
music: the smallest interval in the standard chromatic scale of Western music, equal to half a whole tone
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accompaniment
C2+
/əˈkʌmpənimənt/
something that accompanies, especially music supporting a soloist
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overture
C2+
/ˈoʊvɚtʃɚ/
an orchestral introduction to a larger work, or an opening approach or proposal
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transpose
C2+
/trænsˈpoʊz/
to cause two or more things to change places; to put in a different key
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chorus
C2+
/ˈkɔrəs/
a group of singers, or a refrain repeated in a song
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counterpoint
C2+
/ˈkaʊntɚˌpɔɪnt/
a contrasting element set against another; combined melodic lines
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dissonance
C2+
/ˈdɪsənəns/
a harsh or inharmonious combination of sounds or ideas
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vibrato
C2+
/vɪˈbrɑtoʊ/
a slight, rapid wavering of pitch in singing or instrumental playing
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clef
C1
/klɛf/
a symbol on a musical staff that identifies which pitches its lines and spaces represent
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syncopation
C2
/ˌsɪŋ.kəˈpeɪ.ʃən/
a rhythmic effect created by placing emphasis where a listener expects a weak beat or an offbeat
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