C2 Vocabulary Words

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300 Words

1 aberration Something that departs noticeably from what is normal, expected, or typical.
2 abhor To hate or detest something intensely; to regard it with disgust.
3 abhorrent Causing intense disgust or hatred; utterly repugnant.
4 abject Experienced or done in the most extreme or miserable degree, especially poverty or failure.
5 acreage The total size of an area of land, measured in acres.
6 acrobatic Relating to acrobats or the skills they use.
7 acrobatics The performance of gymnastic feats requiring balance, flexibility, and coordination.
8 allegory A story, picture, or other work whose characters and events stand for a deeper, often moral or political, mean...
9 allot To give out or assign a share of something to each person or purpose.
10 apprehend To arrest someone, especially a suspected criminal.
11 arcane Understood by very few people; mysterious and difficult to grasp because of how obscure or specialized it is.
12 archetype An original pattern or model that other similar things are based on or compared to.
13 ardor Intense warmth of feeling, enthusiasm, or passion.
14 armoury British spelling of "armory": a place where weapons are stored, made, or kept, or a collection of weapons.
15 assimilate To take in and fully understand new information or ideas.
16 attuned Sensitive to and aware of something, especially another person's needs or feelings.
17 austere Plain, strict, and without luxury or decoration.
18 averse Strongly disliking or opposed to something.
19 babble To talk quickly and continuously in a way that is unclear, meaningless, or hard to follow.
20 banish To officially force someone to leave a place, usually as punishment, and forbid their return.
21 banishment The act of forcing someone to leave a place, or the state of being exiled.
22 bauble A small, showy trinket or decoration with little real value.
23 behest A command or authoritative request, especially in the phrase "at the behest of."
24 belligerent Hostile and aggressive; eager to fight or argue.
25 bereft Left in a state of grief or emptiness after a painful loss.
26 blubber To cry loudly and messily, often with heavy sobbing.
27 breadwinner The person in a family or household who earns most or all of the money.
28 brim The upper rim or edge of a cup, bowl, or similar container.
29 brimstone An old-fashioned name for sulfur, especially as used in religious writing to describe the fire and punishment...
30 buccaneer A pirate, especially one of the 17th-century seafarers who raided Spanish ships and settlements in the Caribbe...
31 buzzard A broad-winged bird of prey in the hawk family.
32 callous Showing no concern for the feelings or suffering of others.
33 chrysalis The hard protective case a caterpillar forms around itself while it transforms into a butterfly.
34 cinematographer A person responsible for the camera work and visual look of a film, including lighting and framing shots.
35 cinematography The art and technique of shooting and lighting scenes for film or video.
36 cloister A covered walkway bordering a courtyard, typically in a monastery or similar religious building.
37 cloistered Living in seclusion, shut away from ordinary life.
38 coax To gently persuade someone to do something through patience or flattery.
39 cocoon A silky protective case spun by insect larvae, in which they transform into their adult form.
40 collider A machine that accelerates particles and smashes them together so physicists can study what comes out.
41 commode A chair-like piece of furniture with a hinged seat concealing a chamber pot, used as a toilet substitute.
42 confrontational Prone to picking fights or provoking conflict; aggressively direct.
43 consignment A batch of goods sent or delivered together, especially for sale.
44 contagion A disease that spreads by contact, or the process of it spreading.
45 contemptuous Showing or feeling contempt; scornful and disrespectful.
46 contraption A machine or device that looks complicated, unusual, or unreliable.
47 counterproductive Having the opposite effect of what was intended; causing more harm than good.
48 cull To select or pick something out from a larger group.
49 curate A member of the clergy who assists a parish priest or vicar.
50 dampen To make something slightly wet.
51 delicatessen A shop selling prepared foods such as cured meats, cheeses, and specialty items.
52 depraved Morally corrupt or twisted; showing a serious lack of decent values.
53 depravity A state of moral corruption or wickedness.
54 derelict Abandoned and left to fall into disrepair.
55 deviant Different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way society disapproves of.
56 disparaging Insulting or belittling; expressing a low opinion of someone or something.
57 dissension Strong disagreement or conflict, especially within a group.
58 divination The practice of trying to foretell the future or uncover hidden knowledge, typically through supernatural or r...
59 dribble In sports such as football or basketball, to move the ball forward by repeatedly bouncing or tapping it.
60 drudgery Hard, boring, and unrewarding work.
61 ebb The falling back of the tide as it moves away from the shore.
62 edifice A large, imposing building, especially one of architectural significance.
63 elated Extremely happy and excited.
64 elation A feeling of great happiness, pride, and excitement.
65 ephemeral Lasting for only a short time; fleeting.
66 epoxy A strong synthetic resin used as glue, coating, or in laminates; the adhesive made from it.
67 etch To cut a design or pattern into a hard surface using acid, a needle, or another sharp tool.
68 euphemism A mild or indirect word or phrase used in place of one considered too harsh, blunt, or unpleasant.
69 euphoric Feeling or expressing intense happiness and excitement.
70 exorcism A ritual intended to drive an evil spirit out of a person or place.
71 exorcist A person, often a priest, who performs exorcisms to drive out evil spirits.
72 extracurricular Taking place outside a school's official course of study.
73 exude To slowly ooze or seep out, especially of liquid or moisture.
74 fabled Existing only in stories or legend; not proven to be real.
75 fabricate To manufacture or build something, especially by assembling parts.
76 feign To pretend to feel or have something that isn't real.
77 ferocity Extreme fierceness or savage intensity.
78 fete A public festival or fair, often held to raise money for charity.
79 figuratively In a symbolic or metaphorical way, rather than exactly as the words state.
80 flighty Prone to unpredictable, impulsive, or silly behavior; lacking seriousness or commitment.
81 flit To move quickly and lightly from one place to another.
82 fluctuation An irregular rise and fall, especially in level, amount, or value.
83 forfeiture The act of losing property or a right as a legal penalty.
84 forlorn Sad and lonely, especially from feeling abandoned.
85 frolic To play or move about happily and without restraint.
86 gambit In chess, an opening move where a player deliberately gives up a pawn or piece to gain a stronger position.
87 gauche Socially awkward or clumsy; lacking tact or polish, and prone to embarrassing missteps.
88 glitz Flashy, showy glamour, often suggesting style without real substance.
89 gout A painful form of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, often striking the big t...
90 habitation A place where someone lives; a dwelling.
91 haphazard Done without any clear plan or order; disorganized and random.
92 hapless Unlucky, especially in a way that invites pity or mild amusement.
93 haughty Acting as if one is better than others; arrogantly proud and disdainful.
94 headmistress A woman who is the head teacher in charge of running a school.
95 hindrance Something that gets in the way or slows progress; an obstacle.
96 huddle A small group of people or things gathered closely together.
97 hysterically In an uncontrollably emotional way.
98 impeccably In a flawless, perfect manner.
99 impresario A person who organises and manages public entertainment, especially concerts, opera, or theatre.
100 indignant Feeling or showing anger because of something seen as unfair or wrong.
101 indiscretion A lack of good judgment or tact, especially about private matters.
102 individualism The tendency to think and act independently rather than following the group.
103 inexorable Impossible to stop or change once it's set in motion; unavoidable.
104 inexorably In a way that cannot be stopped or changed; relentlessly.
105 infallible Never wrong; incapable of making a mistake.
106 infernal Relating to hell or the underworld; hellish.
107 ingrate An ungrateful person.
108 innuendo An indirect or hinted remark, often with a sexual or critical meaning, that is not stated outright.
109 inscrutable Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious.
110 instantaneously In a way that happens immediately, with no perceptible delay.
111 interlocking Fitting or locking closely together.
112 interlude A pause or short episode that happens between two longer events.
113 interrogate To question someone closely and often forcefully, typically to get information out of them.
114 irrevocable Impossible to take back, cancel, or change once it has been made.
115 irrevocably In a way that cannot be changed back or undone.
116 jarring Causing an unpleasant shock or a sense of unsettling discord.
117 laryngitis Inflammation of the larynx (voice box), usually causing hoarseness or loss of voice.
118 liaise To communicate and work with another person or group in order to coordinate or reach agreement.
119 loiter To stand or wait around somewhere without any clear purpose.
120 lurid Shockingly graphic or sensational, especially about violence, scandal, or sex.
121 maelstrom A large, violent whirlpool.
122 maggot The soft, legless larva of a fly, often found in decaying matter.
123 magnanimous Generous and noble-minded, especially in forgiving an insult or overlooking a wrong.
124 magnate A wealthy and powerful person in business or industry.
125 magpie A black-and-white bird of the crow family, known for its chattering call and reputed liking for shiny objects.
126 maliciously In a way that is intended to cause harm.
127 malleable Capable of being hammered or pressed into a new shape without breaking, as with certain metals.
128 mangle To damage something badly by crushing, tearing, or cutting it out of shape.
129 mariner A sailor, especially one who works on a seagoing ship.
130 materialistic Placing too much importance on money, possessions, and physical comfort.
131 materialize To become real or actually happen, especially after being planned or hoped for.
132 meager Poor or lacking in amount, quality, or extent; barely enough.
133 meagre Poor or lacking in amount, quality, or extent; barely enough.
134 melodious Pleasant-sounding and tuneful.
135 menial Describing unskilled, low-status work, especially the kind of routine tasks a servant would do.
136 meticulously In a way that shows extremely careful attention to detail.
137 milieu The physical or social environment surrounding someone; their surroundings or setting.
138 minefield An area of ground or water seeded with hidden explosive mines.
139 minster A large, important church, originally one attached to a monastery.
140 mystique An air of fascinating mystery or glamour surrounding a person or thing.
141 nonchalant Calm, relaxed, and seemingly unbothered by something that might normally cause concern.
142 opulent Extremely luxurious and lavish, often to a showy degree.
143 outmoded No longer fashionable or in use; outdated.
144 painstaking Done with great care and thorough attention to detail.
145 painstakingly With great care and thoroughness; very slowly and meticulously.
146 palatable Pleasant to taste.
147 paradoxical Having qualities that seem to contradict each other; involving a paradox.
148 parochial Relating to a parish, the local area a church serves.
149 patchy Occurring unevenly or in scattered patches, not consistent throughout.
150 patronize To talk to someone in a way that shows you think you are smarter or better than them.
151 patronizing Speaking or behaving in a way that shows a superior, condescending attitude toward someone.
152 philanthropist A person who donates significant money, time, or effort to causes intended to improve the lives of others.
153 philistine A person seen as indifferent or hostile to art, literature, and culture, and who has conventional or unrefined...
154 plumage All of the feathers covering a bird's body.
155 posterity Future generations, especially someone's descendants.
156 posturing Behavior meant to create a false impression, often to look powerful or important.
157 precocious Showing skills, knowledge, or maturity unusually early for one's age.
158 preoccupation Something that dominates a person's thoughts and attention, often to the exclusion of other things.
159 primeval Belonging to the earliest ages of the world; ancient and primitive.
160 prissy Excessively prim, fussy, or particular about small details.
161 prostrate Lying flat on the ground, typically face down.
162 proverbial Referred to in, or resembling, a well-known proverb or saying.
163 proximal Located nearer to the center of the body, a point of attachment, or a point of reference.
164 puritanical Excessively strict about morality, especially regarding pleasure, sex, or entertainment.
165 pyre A pile of wood built for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
166 quiver A case for carrying arrows.
167 ravish To fill someone with intense delight or joy.
168 recitation The act of saying a memorized piece of writing aloud in front of others.
169 recluse Living apart from others; withdrawn from society.
170 reclusive Preferring to live alone, away from other people; withdrawn.
171 recuperate To recover strength or health after illness, injury, or exhaustion.
172 remorseful Feeling genuinely sorry for something you did wrong.
173 repose A state of rest or calm, especially after activity, or a period of sleep.
174 reproach A mild expression of blame or disappointment.
175 reptilian Relating to reptiles, or having qualities typical of them.
176 requisition A formal, official request for goods, supplies, or action.
177 resound To fill a space with sound, or to echo loudly.
178 resounding Emphatic and unmistakable; leaving no doubt.
179 resuscitate To bring someone back to consciousness or revive them from apparent death.
180 resuscitation The act of reviving someone from unconsciousness or apparent death.
181 revulsion A strong feeling of disgust or repugnance.
182 rickety Weak, shaky, or unstable, typically because of poor construction or age.
183 rife Widespread or common, usually referring to something unpleasant.
184 romp To play or move about in a lively, energetic, boisterous way.
185 scavenger A person who searches through discarded items for useful things.
186 seedy Run-down, disreputable, or associated with dishonest or illegal activity.
187 shimmer To shine with a soft, faint, flickering light.
188 shoal A large group of fish swimming together.
189 singe To burn something slightly, especially so as to scorch the surface without fully burning it.
190 slither To move smoothly across a surface with a side-to-side, gliding motion, the way a snake does.
191 solicit To ask for or try to obtain something, often persistently or formally.
192 spire A tall, tapering structure that rises to a point, especially on top of a church tower.
193 spontaneity The quality of doing things on impulse, without planning ahead.
194 spurious False or not genuine, despite appearing real.
195 squint To look with eyes partly closed, often because of bright light or to focus better.
196 squirm To twist and wriggle the body, like a worm or snake.
197 sterility The state of being sterile — either unable to reproduce, or completely free of germs.
198 stipulate To state clearly as a required condition of an agreement or contract.
199 stipulation A specific condition written into an agreement or contract.
200 stratosphere The layer of the atmosphere above the one we live in, where temperature actually rises with altitude because o...
201 subsidize To help pay for something, especially with government or organizational funds, to lower its cost.
202 substantiate To back up a claim with evidence or proof.
203 succumb To give in to something overpowering, such as pressure, temptation, or illness.
204 surrealism An early 20th-century art movement that explored dreams, the subconscious, and irrational imagery.
205 surrealist Relating to surrealism or having a similarly dreamlike, bizarre quality.
206 swivel A joint or fitting that allows something attached to it to rotate freely.
207 tactically In a way that is calculated to achieve a specific goal or advantage.
208 tenacious Refusing to give up or let go, even when things get difficult.
209 testimonial A written or spoken statement praising someone's character, work, or a product.
210 thicket A dense patch of bushes, shrubs, or small trees.
211 topple To fall over, or to cause something to fall over, especially from being top-heavy or unstable.
212 torrential Falling or flowing extremely heavily, like a torrent.
213 trifle A British dessert layered with sponge cake, custard, fruit, jelly, and whipped cream.
214 unadulterated Pure, with nothing added or mixed in.
215 unequivocal Completely clear and leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.
216 unequivocally In a way that is completely clear, with no ambiguity.
217 unnerving Causing someone to feel anxious or lose confidence.
218 unravel To untangle or separate threads that have become knotted or woven together.
219 vandal Someone who deliberately damages or destroys property, especially for no good reason.
220 venomous Capable of injecting venom, typically by biting or stinging.
221 verbatim Word for word, using exactly the same wording as the original.
222 verily Truly; in fact (an old-fashioned or formal word for emphasis).
223 vermin Small animals, especially rodents or insects, considered pests because they damage crops, spread disease, or c...
224 vindication Proof or evidence that clears someone of blame or confirms that they were right.
225 virginal Having the qualities of a virgin; innocent, pure, or untouched.
226 virtuoso Someone with extraordinary skill, especially a musician of exceptional technical ability.
227 wallow To roll around in mud, water, or something similarly messy.
228 wane To gradually become weaker, smaller, or less intense.
229 wayward Stubbornly doing things one's own way, ignoring rules or expectations.
230 wheeze To breathe with difficulty, making a rough whistling sound, often due to a respiratory problem.
231 wistful Filled with a gentle sadness or longing, especially for something in the past.
232 zoologist A scientist who studies animals and animal life.
233 zoology The branch of biology concerned with animals — their structure, behaviour, evolution, and classification.
234 standing Remaining in effect on an ongoing basis.
235 provincial Relating to or typical of a province, especially a region outside the capital or main city.
236 counsel Advice or guidance, especially on an important or serious matter.
237 regulatory Relating to official rules or the bodies that enforce them.
238 merit A quality that deserves praise, reward, or recognition.
239 hull The main body of a ship, boat, or aircraft.
240 cognitive Relating to mental processes like thinking, learning, memory, and reasoning.
241 bout A short period of an activity, especially something difficult like an illness or a fight.
242 echo Of a sound, to bounce off a surface and be heard again; to reverberate.
243 ore Rock or mineral from which metal or other valuable material can be extracted.
244 secular Not connected to religion; concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters.
245 commodity A raw material or basic good that is bought and sold in bulk, such as oil, wheat, or gold.
246 herald A person or thing that announces or signals that something is coming.
247 tactical Relating to the specific methods used to achieve a goal, especially in the short term or on a smaller scale th...
248 autonomous Governing or managing itself without outside control.
249 hypothesis A proposed explanation for something that can be tested through further study or experiment.
250 prone Likely to suffer from or do something, usually something negative.
251 vicinity The surrounding area or nearby region.
252 wholly Completely; entirely; with nothing left out.
253 rhetoric The skill of using language persuasively, especially in speaking or writing.
254 accountability Being responsible for one's actions and expected to explain or answer for them.
255 proposition A suggestion or offer put forward for consideration, especially a business plan or deal.
256 synthesis The forming of something new and complete by combining separate parts or ideas.
257 incumbent Currently holding an office or position.
258 methodology A set of methods, rules, or procedures used in a particular field or study.
259 correlation A relationship in which two or more things tend to change together.
260 cosmic Relating to the universe as a whole, especially outer space.
261 ironic Involving irony — meaning, or resulting in, the opposite of what was expected or intended.
262 locomotive The engine unit that pulls the carriages or wagons of a train.
263 scroll A roll of paper or parchment, especially one containing writing.
264 vocational Relating to training for a specific trade or skill, rather than general academic study.
265 spatial Relating to space, position, area, or the way things are arranged in relation to one another.
266 corpse A dead body, usually of a person.
267 legion A large division of the ancient Roman army, typically a few thousand infantry plus cavalry support.
268 paramount Supreme in importance, rank, or authority; overriding everything else.
269 solitary Alone; without any companions present.
270 transmitter A device that generates and sends out a signal, such as radio waves.
271 combustion The chemical process of burning, in which a substance reacts with oxygen to release heat and light.
272 mesh Material made of crossed strands with regular small gaps between them, like a net or screen.
273 helm The wheel or tiller used to steer a ship; more broadly, the position of control or leadership.
274 proportional Corresponding in size or degree to something else, changing at a matching rate.
275 residual Left over after most of something has gone or been used up.
276 tactic A specific action or method used to achieve a particular goal, especially as part of a larger plan.
277 proprietary Owned exclusively by a company or individual, often protected by patent, trademark, or trade secret.
278 equilibrium A state of balance between opposing forces or influences, where nothing is changing.
279 malicious Intended to cause harm; showing ill will toward others.
280 subsidy Money given, often by a government, to support an industry, activity, or lower a price.
281 hypothetical Based on a supposition rather than actual fact; imagined for the sake of argument.
282 proliferation A rapid increase in the number or spread of something.
283 residue A small amount of something that remains after the main part has been used, removed, or processed.
284 rift A deep crack or split, especially in the earth or rock.
285 authenticity The quality of being genuine, real, and true to its origin.
286 corpus A large collection of written or spoken material, especially one used for language study.
287 gale A very strong wind, stronger than a breeze but not as violent as a storm.
288 practitioner Someone who actively works in a profession or skilled field, especially medicine or law.
289 apostle One of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings.
290 scholarly Relating to serious academic study, or showing the careful, learned qualities of a scholar.
291 interrogation The process of questioning someone closely, especially by police or authorities.
292 adhere To stick firmly to a surface.
293 eminent Famous and respected, especially in a particular profession.
294 procedural Relating to the method or steps used to do something, rather than the result itself.
295 mediation A process in which a neutral third party helps opposing sides negotiate a resolution.
296 nostalgia A wistful longing for the past, or for home and familiar things.
297 physiological Relating to physiology — the normal functioning of living things and their organs.
298 austerity Extreme plainness and self-discipline, with no luxuries.
299 reconcile To restore a friendly relationship between people after a disagreement.
300 induce To persuade or influence someone to do something.