121 English words
C2 English vocabulary (proficient)
English words at CEFR level C2: rare, literary and formal words that even native speakers mostly meet in books, law and exams like the SAT and GRE.
Words
A
- accedeverbC2to agree to a request or demand, often after first refusingThe company eventually acceded to the workers’ demands.
- acquiesceverbC2to accept or agree to something quietly, often without really wanting toAfter a long argument, she acquiesced to their plan.
- admonishverbC2to tell someone firmly that they have done something wrongThe judge admonished the lawyer for interrupting.
- afflictverbC2to cause pain, illness or serious problems to someone or somethingThe region has been afflicted by drought for years.
- appeaseverbC2to calm someone by giving them what they wantThe government tried to appease the protesters with promises.
- arbitrateverbC2to officially judge a disagreement between two sides as a neutral personA retired judge was asked to arbitrate the dispute.
- ascertainverbC2to find out for certain whether something is true or what the facts arePolice are trying to ascertain the cause of the fire.
- assailverbC2to attack someone violently or criticize them stronglyThe minister was assailed by reporters with questions.
- assentnounC2official agreement or approvalThe plan cannot go ahead without the board’s assent.
- asunderadverbC2(literary) into separate parts or pieces, often violentlyThe old ship was torn asunder by the storm.
- avaricenounC2an extreme desire for money or wealthThe bankers’ avarice helped cause the crisis.
B
- beguileverbC2to charm or attract someone, sometimes in a way that deceives themVisitors are beguiled by the island’s beauty.
- beseechverbC2to ask someone for something in an urgent, emotional wayShe beseeched him to stay.
- besiegeverbC2to surround a place with an army to force it to surrenderThe army besieged the city for months.
- bestowverbC2to give an honor, gift or title to someone, formallyThe award was bestowed on her by the president.
- brookverbC2to allow or accept something, used in negative statementsThe manager will brook no argument.
C
- canonnounC2a group of works generally accepted as the most important in a fieldThe novel is now part of the literary canon.
- capitulateverbC2to stop resisting and accept the demands of an opponentAfter a long strike, the company finally capitulated.
- capricenounC2a sudden change of mind or behavior that has no good reasonThe staff were tired of the manager’s caprices.
- cardinaladjectiveC2most important; basicThe cardinal rule of the job is never to lie to clients.
- cedeverbC2to give up land, power or rights to someone else, usually unwillinglyAfter the war, the country was forced to cede territory to its neighbor.
- chastiseverbC2to criticize someone severely for doing something wrongThe coach chastised the players for their lack of effort.
- cladadjectiveC2wearing a particular kind of clothingThe guards were clad in black.
- cleaveverbC2to split or cut something apart with forceHe cleaved the log in two with a single blow.
- cohereverbC2to fit together in a logical, clear way that makes sense as a wholeThe different parts of his argument don’t really cohere.
- conceitnounC2too much pride in yourself and your abilitiesHis conceit made him hard to work with.
- conferverbC2to discuss something with others before decidingThe judge conferred with both lawyers.
- consecrateverbC2to officially make a place or object holy in a religious ceremonyThe new church was consecrated last Sunday.
- contendverbC2to say firmly that something is true, especially in an argumentThe authors contend that the policy has failed.
- contriveverbC2to manage to do something difficult, often by being cleverShe contrived to get a ticket for the sold-out show.
- contrivedadjectiveC2seeming false and planned rather than naturalThe ending of the film felt contrived.
- cowerverbC2to bend down or move back because you are afraidThe dog cowered in the corner during the storm.
D
- decorumnounC2polite, correct behavior that is suitable for a formal situationThe meeting was conducted with great decorum.
- deferencenounC2polite respect shown to someone, often by accepting their opinion or wishesHe spoke to the old professor with great deference.
- deposeverbC2to remove a ruler or leader from power, often by forceThe king was deposed by his own army.
- depraveverbC2to make someone morally bad or evilSome critics claimed violent films would deprave young viewers.
- disconcertverbC2to make someone feel uneasy, confused or embarrassedHis long silence disconcerted the interviewer.
- dispositionnounC2a person’s natural character or usual moodShe has a cheerful disposition.
- doggedadjectiveC2refusing to give up, even when things are difficultHer dogged determination finally paid off.
E
- earnestadjectiveC2very serious and sincere, sometimes too seriousHe was an earnest young man who never told jokes.
- ebbverbC2(of the tide) to move away from the landWe walked on the sand as the tide ebbed.
- edictnounC2an official order given by someone in authorityThe emperor issued an edict banning the religion.
- edificenounC2a large, impressive buildingThe cathedral is the oldest edifice in the city.
- endowverbC2to give a large amount of money to a school, hospital or other institutionShe endowed a scholarship at her old university.
- enjoinverbC2to order or strongly urge someone to do somethingThe doctor enjoined him to rest for a week.
- ensueverbC2to happen after or as a result of somethingAn argument ensued, and the police were called.
- entreatverbC2to ask someone very seriously or emotionally to do somethingHe entreated her not to leave.
- exaltverbC2to praise someone or something very highlyThe poem exalts the beauty of nature.
- exertionnounC2great physical or mental effortHis face was red from the exertion of climbing the stairs.
- explicateverbC2to explain an idea or text in detailThe professor explicated the poem line by line.
- extortverbC2to get money or something else from someone by threats or forceThe gang extorted money from local shopkeepers.
F
- facileadjectiveC2too simple and not showing careful thoughtHe offered a facile answer to a very complex problem.
- factionnounC2a small group within a larger one, which disagrees with the restRival factions fought for control of the party.
- fathomverbC2to understand something difficult after thinking hard about itI can’t fathom why he would quit.
- forsakeverbC2to leave someone, especially when they need youHe promised never to forsake his friends.
- fortitudenounC2courage and strength of mind when facing pain or difficulty over a long timeShe showed great fortitude during her long illness.
G
H
I
- illustriousadjectiveC2famous and respected because of great achievementsShe had an illustrious career as a judge.
- impartverbC2to pass on information or knowledge to someoneGood teachers impart a love of learning.
- impelverbC2to make someone feel they must do somethingCuriosity impelled her to open the box.
- impertinentadjectiveC2rude and not showing enough respect, especially to someone older or more importantThe boy was punished for an impertinent remark to his teacher.
- infallibleadjectiveC2never wrong or never making mistakesDoctors are not infallible.
- insinuateverbC2to suggest something unpleasant indirectly, without saying it clearlyAre you insinuating that I lied?
- insurgentnounC2a person fighting against the government or army of their own countryInsurgents attacked a military base.
L
- languidadjectiveC2slow and relaxed, showing little energy or effortShe gave a languid wave from her deck chair.
- loathadjectiveC2unwilling to do somethingI was loath to leave such a beautiful place.
- loftyadjectiveC2of very high moral standard or ambition, sometimes unrealisticallyThe charity has lofty goals.
- luxuriantadjectiveC2growing thickly and healthilyThe valley was covered in luxuriant vegetation.
M
- manifestverbC2to show something clearly, or to appear, often as a sign or symptomThe illness first manifests itself as a mild fever.
- mortifyverbC2to make someone feel extremely embarrassed or ashamedI was mortified when I realized my mistake.
- multitudenounC2a very large number of things or peopleThe app has a multitude of uses.
- museverbC2to think carefully about something for a long timeShe mused on what might have happened.
O
- odiumnounC2strong dislike or disgust that many people feel toward someone because of what they didThe minister faced public odium after the scandal.
- oppressverbC2to treat a group of people unfairly and cruelly, limiting their freedomThe regime oppressed religious minorities for decades.
- ordainverbC2to officially make someone a priest or minister in a religious ceremonyHe was ordained as a priest in 1998.
P
- pallnounC2a dark cloud of smoke or a heavy, gloomy feeling covering somethingThe news cast a pall over the celebrations.
- partisanadjectiveC2strongly supporting one political party or group, often without fair judgmentThe debate became bitterly partisan.
- pastoraladjectiveC2showing country life in a peaceful, idealized wayThe painting shows a pastoral scene of sheep and meadows.
- perishverbC2to die, especially in an accident or disaster, in formal or literary languageHundreds perished when the ship sank.
- perpetrateverbC2to do something harmful, illegal or wrongThe attack was perpetrated by a small group.
- piousadjectiveC2deeply religious and careful to follow religious practicesHer grandmother was a pious woman who prayed every day.
- pompnounC2the impressive clothes, music and ceremony of an important official eventThe coronation was held with great pomp.
- preceptnounC2a general rule that tells you how to behave or thinkThe school is run on the precept that every child can learn.
- proprietynounC2correct and polite behavior that follows accepted moral or social standardsShe always behaved with complete propriety.
- prowessnounC2great skill or ability in a particular activityHe is known for his prowess on the tennis court.
- purportverbC2to claim to be or do something, especially when this may not be trueThe letter purports to be from the president.
R
- rampartnounC2a wide wall of earth or stone built to protect a castle or townWe walked along the ramparts of the old city.
- ratifyverbC2to make an agreement or treaty official by formally approving itThe treaty was ratified by all member states.
- rebukeverbC2to speak angrily to someone because they did something wrongThe teacher rebuked him for being late.
- recoursenounC2a possible source of help in a difficult situation, or the use of itWithout insurance, they had no recourse but to pay.
- retortverbC2to reply quickly in an angry or clever way“That’s none of your business,” she retorted.
- routnounC2a complete defeat, or a disorderly retreat after a defeatThe match ended in a 6–0 rout.
S
- scrupulousadjectiveC2very careful to do everything correctly and pay attention to detailsShe keeps scrupulous records of her expenses.
- semblancenounC2an appearance or small amount of something, often when the reality is missingThe city slowly returned to some semblance of normality.
- sentinelnounC2a soldier or guard whose job is to watch for dangerA sentinel stood at each gate of the fortress.
- slayverbC2to kill violently, especially in battle or in storiesThe knight slew the dragon.
- staidadjectiveC2serious, old-fashioned and not adventurousThe once staid bank is trying to look modern.
- stipulateverbC2to state clearly that something must be done, especially in a contract or ruleThe contract stipulates that payment must be made within thirty days.
- stratumnounC2one layer of rock or soil lying between othersFossils were found in a stratum of limestone.
- stumpnounC2the part of a tree left in the ground after it has been cut downHe sat on an old tree stump.
- sublimeadjectiveC2extremely beautiful or excellent, causing great admirationThe view from the summit was sublime.
- suffragenounC2the right to vote in political electionsWomen won suffrage in the US in 1920.
- suppliantnounC2a person who humbly begs someone powerful for somethingThe suppliants knelt before the emperor.
T
- tarryverbC2(old-fashioned) to stay somewhere longer than planned or to delay leavingWe tarried in the garden until the sun went down.
- throngnounC2a large crowd of peopleA throng of fans waited outside the hotel.
- toilverbC2to work very hard for a long time, usually doing tiring physical workMiners toiled underground for twelve hours a day.
- toutverbC2to praise or promote something to persuade people it is good or importantThe new drug was touted as a miracle cure.
- tractnounC2a large area of landThey bought a huge tract of forest.
V
- venerableadjectiveC2respected because of age, experience or long historyThe venerable old professor still taught every week.
- venerateverbC2to respect and admire someone or something very deeplyThe old teacher was venerated by her students.
- veritableadjectiveC2used to emphasize that a description is accurate, even if it sounds exaggeratedThe garden was a veritable paradise.
- vexverbC2to annoy or worry someoneThe constant noise vexed the neighbors.
- visagenounC2(literary) a person’s face or facial expressionThe old soldier’s stern visage softened into a smile.
W
- wantonadjectiveC2(of cruel or harmful acts) done deliberately and for no good reasonThe report condemned the wanton destruction of the forest.
- wistfuladjectiveC2a little sad because you are thinking about something you cannot have or that is in the pastShe gave a wistful smile as she looked at old photos.