C2 English Vocabulary List (CEFR)

noun · /dəˈbɑkəl/

A complete and shameful failure

“The launch turned into a public debacle.”

adjective · /ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk/

Known or understood by only a few

“His research covers esoteric parts of physics.”

adjective · /ɪˈɡridʒəs/

Very bad and easily noticed

“The report contained egregious errors.”

adjective · /ɪˈfɛmərəl/

Lasting for a very short time

“Fame can be ephemeral — enjoyed briefly and quickly forgotten.”

noun · /ˈɛʃəˌlɑn/

A level or rank within an organization

“He reached the top echelon of the firm.”

noun · /ˈneɪdər/

The lowest point of something

“That loss was the nadir of his career.”

noun · /ˈzɛfər/

A soft, gentle breeze

“A cool zephyr moved through the trees.”

adjective · /ˈkɑɡnəzənt/

Aware of or knowing about something

“She is cognizant of the risks involved.”

noun · /ˌpænəˈsiə/

A solution said to fix all problems

“Technology is not a panacea for schools.”

adjective · /ˈɛrəˌdaɪt/

Showing great knowledge from long study

“The erudite professor spoke five languages.”

adjective · /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/

Hopeful and positive about the future

“She remains sanguine about the election.”

noun · /ˈmeɪlstrəm/

A situation of great confusion or trouble

“The country fell into a maelstrom of protest.”

adjective · /əˈpɑkrəfəl/

Widely told but probably not true

“That story about the president is apocryphal.”

adjective · /fæˈstɪdiəs/

Very concerned about small details

“He is fastidious about his shoes staying clean.”

adjective · /bɑmˈbæstɪk/

Using long words to sound important

“His bombastic speech bored the crowd.”

noun · /kæˈkɑfəni/

A loud and unpleasant mix of sounds

“A cacophony of horns filled the street.”

adjective · /ɪnˈskrutəbəl/

Impossible to understand or read

“His inscrutable face gave nothing away.”

adjective · /rɪˈkælsɪtrənt/

Refusing to obey or cooperate

“The recalcitrant student ignored the teacher.”

adjective · /ˌɛfərˈvɛsənt/

Full of energy and excitement

“Her effervescent laugh fills every room.”

adjective · /pərˈfʌŋktəri/

Done quickly with little care

“He gave a perfunctory nod and left.”

noun · /ˌdeɪˌnuˈmɑn/

The final part of a story where things are resolved

“The novel's denouement surprised every reader.”

adjective · /ɪˈnɛfəbəl/

Too great to describe in words

“She felt an ineffable joy at her wedding.”

adjective · /ˈhæknid/

Used so often it has lost meaning

“The film relies on hackneyed jokes.”

adjective · /kwɪkˈsɑtɪk/

Full of hope but unlikely to succeed

“Her quixotic plan to end hunger inspired many.”

verb · /ˈɑbfəˌskeɪt/

To make something hard to understand

“The report obfuscates the real numbers.”

adjective · /ˌsɜrəpˈtɪʃəs/

Done in secret to avoid notice

“He took a surreptitious photo of the painting.”

noun · /ʃɪˈkeɪnəri/

The use of tricks to deceive

“The lawyer accused him of financial chicanery.”

adjective · /prəˈpɪʃəs/

Giving a good chance of success; favorable

“The clear skies were propitious for the outdoor ceremony.”

noun

A person who flatters others excessively to gain advantage

“Surrounded by sycophants, the leader never heard honest advice.”

noun · /ˌaɪˈkɑnəˌklæst/

A person who attacks common beliefs

“The artist was an iconoclast of his time.”

adjective · /əbˈsikwiəs/

Trying too hard to please someone in power

“The obsequious waiter praised every dish.”

adjective

Good for your health

“The town has a salubrious mountain climate.”

adjective · /ˈɡɛrələs/

Talking a lot, often about small things

“My garrulous uncle told the same story twice.”

noun

The philosophical idea that only one's own mind is certain to exist

“His solipsism made it difficult for him to empathize with others.”

adjective · /ˈdɛsəlˌtɔri/

Done without plan or purpose

“He made a desultory attempt at cleaning.”

adjective

Making you feel sleepy

“The long lecture had a soporific effect.”

adjective

Extremely old or old-fashioned

“His antediluvian phone still has a cord.”

adjective

Sweet and smooth to hear

“She has a mellifluous singing voice.”

adjective

Clear and easy to see through

“The limpid lake reflected the sky.”

adjective · /ˈtrʌkjələnt/

Quick to argue or become violent

“The truculent fan shouted at the referee.”

adjective · /daɪˈæfənɪs/

Light and almost see-through

“She wore a diaphanous silk scarf.”

adjective · /pjusəˈlænəməs/

Showing a lack of courage

“His pusillanimous silence angered the crowd.”

adjective

In good order or completely fine

“After the talk, everything felt copacetic.”

verb · /ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt/

To use ambiguous language to avoid commitment or to mislead

“The politician equivocated rather than giving a direct answer.”

adjective

Likely to cry or make people cry

“The lachrymose ending made me weep.”

adjective · /pərspəˈkeɪʃəs/

Having a ready insight; showing great mental penetration or discernment

“A perspicacious observer noticed the flaw in the argument immediately.”

adjective · /ɡrænˈdɪləkwənt/

Using fancy language to sound impressive

“The mayor gave a grandiloquent farewell speech.”

adjective

Very clear and easy to follow

“The teacher gave a pellucid explanation.”

noun · /ˌvɪˈsɪsɪtud/

A change in circumstances, often unwelcome

“He faced the vicissitudes of army life.”

verb

To throw someone out of a window

“The angry king had his rival defenestrated.”