113 English words
C1 English vocabulary (advanced)
English words at CEFR level C1: precise, formal words for academic writing, business reports and exams such as IELTS and TOEFL.
Words
A
- accordnounC1a formal agreement between countries or groupsThe two nations signed a peace accord in Geneva.
- adverseadjectiveC1harmful, negative or not helpfulThe drug has few adverse effects.
- advocatenounC1a person who publicly supports a cause or speaks for othersShe is a strong advocate of free education.
- aidenounC1a person who helps someone important, especially a politician, in their workA senior aide to the president resigned yesterday.
- allegeverbC1to say that someone has done something wrong, without giving proofThe report alleges that officials accepted bribes.
- appendverbC1to add something to the end of a document or piece of writingA list of sources is appended to the report.
- aptadjectiveC1suitable or right for the situation“Chaotic” is an apt description of the meeting.
- arbitraryadjectiveC1based on chance or personal choice rather than on a reason or systemThe cut-off date seems completely arbitrary.
- assertverbC1to state firmly that something is trueThe lawyer asserted that her client was innocent.
- attributeverbC1to say or believe that something is caused by or belongs to someone or somethingShe attributes her success to hard work.
- austereadjectiveC1very plain and simple, without decoration or comfortThe monks lived in small, austere rooms.
- aversionnounC1a strong dislike of somethingShe has an aversion to crowds.
B
C
- candidadjectiveC1honest and direct, even when the truth is not pleasantTo be candid, I don’t think the plan will work.
- chambernounC1a large room used for formal meetings, or a group that meets thereThe Senate chamber was full for the vote.
- coaxverbC1to persuade someone gently and patiently to do somethingShe coaxed the frightened cat out from under the bed.
- commissionnounC1an official group given the job of investigating or controlling somethingA commission was set up to investigate the accident.
- compelverbC1to force someone to do something, or make it necessaryBad weather compelled us to turn back.
- conjureverbC1to make a picture or memory appear in someone’s mindThe smell of pine conjures up memories of childhood holidays.
- conscientiousadjectiveC1careful to do your work well and do what is rightShe is a conscientious student who never misses a deadline.
- conspicuousadjectiveC1very easy to see or notice, often in a way that stands outShe felt conspicuous in her bright red coat.
- constituteverbC1to be or be considered as somethingThis decision constitutes a serious threat to free speech.
- constrainedadjectiveC1limited or restricted by somethingWe are constrained by a very tight budget.
- contemptnounC1a strong feeling that someone or something is worthless and deserves no respectHe looked at the offer with contempt.
- conventionnounC1a large formal meeting of people from a profession or groupThousands attended the annual comic book convention.
- credibleadjectiveC1able to be believed or trustedThe witness gave a credible account of events.
D
- decreenounC1an official order given by a ruler or government that has the force of lawThe president issued a decree closing the borders.
- delicacynounC1a rare or expensive food that is considered specialSnails are a delicacy in France.
- derivedadjectiveC1coming from or developed from something elseMany English words are derived from Latin.
- despairnounC1a feeling of having lost all hopeIn despair, he gave up looking for work.
- dingyadjectiveC1dark, dirty and unpleasantThey rented a dingy room above a bar.
- discreetadjectiveC1careful not to cause embarrassment or reveal private informationPlease be discreet; nobody else knows yet.
- dispatchverbC1to send someone or something to a place for a purposeAn ambulance was dispatched to the scene.
- distinctionnounC1a clear difference between two similar thingsChildren must learn the distinction between right and wrong.
- dwellverbC1to keep thinking or talking about something, especially something unpleasant, used with “on”Try not to dwell on your mistakes.
E
- elaborateadjectiveC1having many carefully arranged parts or details; complicatedThey made elaborate plans for the wedding.
- eludeverbC1to escape from someone who is chasing you, often by being cleverThe thief eluded the police for weeks.
- enduringadjectiveC1lasting for a long timeThe film is an enduring classic.
- engageverbC1to take part in an activity, used with “in”Students are encouraged to engage in class discussion.
- esteemnounC1respect and admiration for someoneShe is held in high esteem by her colleagues.
- exasperateverbC1to annoy someone a lot, especially when they cannot do anything about itHis constant excuses exasperated his teachers.
- exertverbC1to use power, influence or pressure to affect someone or somethingParents exert a strong influence on their children.
- exploitverbC1to treat someone unfairly to gain an advantage for yourselfThe company exploited its workers with low pay.
- extravagantadjectiveC1spending much more money than is reasonableBuying a new car every year is extravagant.
F
- ferventadjectiveC1feeling or showing very strong and sincere emotion or beliefHe is a fervent supporter of animal rights.
- flourishverbC1to grow or develop well and successfullySmall businesses flourished in the town.
- foilverbC1to stop someone from succeeding in a plan, especially a bad onePolice foiled a plot to rob the bank.
- fosterverbC1to encourage something to developGood teachers foster a love of reading.
- frayverbC1(of cloth or rope) to become worn so that threads come loose at the edgeThe cuffs of his old shirt had started to fray.
- frontiernounC1the border between two countriesTroops were sent to guard the frontier.
- furnishverbC1to put furniture in a room or buildingThe apartment was furnished in a modern style.
G
H
I
- imposedadjectiveC1forced on people by someone in authority, without their agreementWorkers resented the imposed changes to their schedule.
- imposingadjectiveC1large and impressive in appearanceThe bank was an imposing stone building.
- incidentaladjectiveC1happening as a minor part of something more importantThe money is incidental; I do this job because I love it.
- inclinedadjectiveC1wanting to do something, or likely to behave in a certain wayI’m inclined to agree with you.
- institutenounC1an organization for research, education or a particular professionHe works at a cancer research institute.
- intimateadjectiveC1very close and personal, or privateThey shared their most intimate secrets.
- intrigueverbC1to make someone very interested and curiousThe idea really intrigued me.
L
M
- malicenounC1the wish to hurt or upset someoneI don’t think he did it out of malice.
- manifestationnounC1a sign that shows something exists or is happeningThe protests were a manifestation of public anger.
- maximnounC1a short saying that expresses a general truth or rule of behaviorShe lives by the maxim “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
- meritnounC1a good quality that deserves praise or rewardEach proposal will be judged on its merits.
- monetaryadjectiveC1connected with money, especially a country’s money supplyThe central bank sets monetary policy.
- morbidadjectiveC1having an unhealthy interest in death or unpleasant thingsShe has a morbid fascination with true crime stories.
- musterverbC1to find enough of a quality, such as courage or support, in order to do somethingShe mustered the courage to ask for a raise.
N
P
- pacifyverbC1to make someone who is angry or upset become calmThe manager tried to pacify the angry customer.
- parablenounC1a short, simple story that teaches a moral or religious lessonThe film works as a parable about greed.
- partialadjectiveC1not complete; only part of somethingThe project was only a partial success.
- perpetualadjectiveC1never ending or changing; lasting foreverThe mountain peaks are covered in perpetual snow.
- persistverbC1to continue doing something firmly, even when it is difficult or others objectShe persisted with her studies despite many setbacks.
- pervadeverbC1to spread through every part of somethingA feeling of hope pervaded the room.
- pleadverbC1to ask for something in an urgent, emotional wayShe pleaded with him not to leave.
- predecessornounC1a person who had a job before someone elseThe new CEO praised her predecessor.
- premisenounC1an idea that is accepted as true and used as the basis for an argumentThe theory is based on a false premise.
- proceedingnounC1(plural) a legal action taken against someone in courtThe bank began legal proceedings against him.
- provokeverbC1to cause a reaction, especially a strong or negative oneThe new law provoked widespread protests.
R
- raveverbC1to talk about something with great enthusiasmEveryone is raving about the new restaurant.
- renderverbC1to cause someone or something to be in a particular stateThe injury rendered him unable to walk.
- repealverbC1to officially end a lawCongress voted to repeal the tax.
- restrainedadjectiveC1calm and controlled, not showing strong emotionHis reaction was surprisingly restrained.
- rhetoricnounC1speech or writing meant to persuade, often seen as impressive but insincereVoters are tired of empty political rhetoric.
- ridernounC1a person who rides a horse, bicycle or motorcycleThe rider fell off but was not hurt.
- ripplenounC1a small wave on the surface of waterThe stone made ripples on the pond.
S
- sanctionnounC1an official order limiting trade or contact with a country, as a punishmentThe UN imposed sanctions on the regime.
- satirenounC1the use of humor or exaggeration to criticize people or ideas, or a work that does thisThe show is a sharp satire of modern politics.
- schemenounC1a clever, often dishonest plan to get somethingHe lost his savings in a get-rich-quick scheme.
- siegenounC1a military operation in which an army surrounds a place to force it to surrenderThe city was under siege for six months.
- sobverbC1to cry loudly while taking short, noisy breathsThe child sobbed in her mother’s arms.
- stakenounC1a share in a business or an interest in what happensThe firm bought a 20% stake in the airline.
- subsideverbC1to become less strong, loud or violentWe waited in the car until the storm subsided.
- symmetrynounC1the quality of having two halves that match exactlyThe building is admired for its perfect symmetry.
T
U
- undertakeverbC1to accept and start a task or responsibilityThe university is undertaking a major study of sleep.
- undertakingnounC1a big or difficult task or projectBuilding the bridge was a massive undertaking.
- utteradjectiveC1complete or total, used to make a negative word strongerThe evening was an utter disaster.
V
- vacateverbC1to leave a room, building or seat so others can use itGuests must vacate their rooms by noon.
- vainadjectiveC1too proud of your looks, abilities or achievementsHe’s so vain he checks his reflection in every window.
- venturenounC1a new business or project that involves riskTheir latest business venture was a huge success.