Words

These are words and expressions that you, as someone curious and eager to understand English deeply, are collecting to sound more precise, expressive, and confident—words that help you describe feelings, actions, and situations clearly, both in everyday life and in more formal or thoughtful contexts.

sluggish

(neutral, B2) moving, reacting, or working more slowly than usual.

He felt __ after eating a heavy lunch.

Synonyms: slow, lethargic, inactive

stamina

the physical or mental strength that enables you to do something difficult for long periods of time

It takes a lot of ___ to run a marathon.

whim

(neutral, B2) a sudden, unusual, or impulsive idea or desire.

She bought the dress on a __.

Synonyms: fancy, impulse, caprice

be on bad terms with

(neutral, B2) have a tense or unfriendly relationship with someone.

He is __ __ __ __ __ his neighbor after the argument.

Synonyms: quarrel with, not get along with, fall out with

heart-to-heart chat

(neutral, B2) an honest and serious conversation about personal feelings.

They had a __ __ __ about their relationship.

Synonyms: frank talk, open conversation, heart-to-heart talk

forge

create or develop something strong or lasting, often a relationship or agreement.

They managed to __ a strong friendship over the years.

a child prodigy

a young child with an exceptional talent or ability.

She was __ __ in music, playing the piano beautifully at age five.

pander to someone’s every whim

do everything someone wants, even if it’s unreasonable.

The rich parent __ __ __ __ to their child’s every desire.

occasional twinge

a brief, sudden pain or discomfort sometimes felt.

She felt an __ __ in her knee while climbing the stairs.

senior moment

a short period of forgetfulness, often due to age.

He had a __ __ and forgot where he put his keys.

rekindle

bring back a feeling, memory, or relationship.

Visiting her old school helped __ happy memories of childhood.

come to harm

(neutral, B2) be injured or suffer damage.

The children were careful so they wouldn’t __ __ __.

Synonyms: get hurt, be injured, suffer damage

not let out of sight

keep someone or something always in view or under supervision.

She didn’t __ __ __ her baby for a moment.

see the error of his ways

realize that one’s behavior was wrong and decide to change.

After losing his job, he finally __ __ __ __ and started acting responsibly.

vigorous

(formal, B2) done with a lot of energy, strength, or determination.

She gave the plants a __ watering.

Synonyms: energetic, strong, forceful

vigilant

(formal, C1) watchful and alert to possible danger or problems.

The security guard remained __ throughout the night.

Synonyms: watchful, alert, attentive

tiger mother

a mother who is very determined that her child should be successful and makes them work very hard

A typical __ __ often prioritizes education over leisure activities for her children.

evaluate

to form an opinion of the amount, value or quality of something after thinking about it carefully

We need to ___ how well the policy is working.

substantial

(formal, B2) large in amount, size, or importance.

They made a __ donation to the charity.

Synonyms: significant, considerable, sizable

versatile

(formal, B2) able to do many different things well; adaptable.

She is a __ musician who plays several instruments.

Synonyms: adaptable, flexible, all-round

stun

to shock or surprise someone very much

She was __ by the amount of support she received from well-wishers.

ineffable

(formal, C2) too great, beautiful, or extreme to be described in words.

The view from the mountain was __.

Synonyms: indescribable, inexpressible, beyond words

ailment

an illness, typically a minor one

the doctor diagnosed a common stomach __.

zippy

(informal, B2) full of energy, lively, or fast.

He drove his new car in a __ style.

Synonyms: lively, energetic, peppy

diligent

formal, B2) showing careful and persistent effort in your work or duties.

She was a __ student who always completed her assignments on time.

Synonyms: hardworking, industrious, meticulous

concussion

temporary damage to the brain caused by a fall or hit on the head or by violent shaking

I think he may have had a __.

indelible

formal, C1) impossible to remove, erase, or forget.

The experience left an __ mark on his memory.

Synonyms: permanent, unforgettable, lasting

revery

a pleasant daydream or deep thought

She smiled, lost in the ___.

thrive

(formal, B2) grow, develop, or be successful.

Plants __ in this climate.

Synonyms: flourish, prosper, succeed

drop off

to start to sleep

I __ __ as soon as my head hits the pillow.

lie in

to stay in bed later than usual in the morning

It was a Sunday, so she could __ __ till almost lunch time.

waffle

speak or write, especially at great length, without saying anything important or useful

he __ on about everything that didn't matter.

contraction

a shortening of the uterine muscles occurring at intervals before and during childbirth

she was now in no doubt that she was having __ .

flustered

(neutral, B2) nervous, confused, or upset, often causing difficulty in thinking or acting clearly.

She became __ when asked to speak in front of the class.

Synonyms: agitated, flurried, rattled

burn the midnight oil

to work late into the night

I’ve been ___ to finish this project.

running on fumes

to have almost reached a point where you are unable to continue, because you have almost no energy, money, etc. left'

She is determined to play in today's game, even if she is __ __ __ by the end of it.

a blessing in disguise

something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later:

Losing that job was __ __ __ __ really.

layoff

an occasion when a company stops employing someone, sometimes temporarily, because the company does not have enough money or enough work

The recent economic crisis has led to massive __.

cold shoulder

an unfriendly attitude shown to someone or something, especially by intentionally ignoring or showing no interest in them

His wife was angry and giving him the __ __.

chicken out

to decide not to do something because you are too frightened

I was going to go bungee jumping, but I __ __.

sitting duck

someone or something that is very easy for an enemy to shoot or attack

With their bullets all gone, the soldiers were __ __ for the enemy.

sharp

intelligent or quick to notice things

Birdwatchers need to have __ ears and eyes.

She has a __ eye for a bargain.

initiative

the ability to use your judgment to make decisions and do things without needing to be told what to do

show __

Although she was quite young, she showed a lot of __ and was promoted to manager after a year.

streak

an often unpleasant characteristic that is very different from other characteristics

stubborn __

Her stubborn __ makes her very difficult to work with sometimes.

competitive streak

You need to have a competitive __ when you're working in marketing.

on the ball

If you are __ __ __, you are be quick to understand and react to things.

I didn't sleep well last night and I'm not really __ __ __ today.

run someone down

to criticize someone or something, often unfairly

He's always __ __ __.

spend a penny

polite phrase for to urinate

If you'll excuse me, I need to __ __ __.

blossom into something

to become a more attractive, successful, or confident type of person or a better, stronger type of thing

When he hit 14 he __ __ a bright and articulate teenager.

articulate

(formal, C1) able to express ideas clearly and effectively.

She is an __ speaker who explains complex topics well.

Synonyms: eloquent, expressive, clear-speaking

spectate

to watch an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part

Players are able to spectate these matches as well as training matches.

sweep something under the carpet

to hide a problem or try to keep it secret instead of dealing with it

The committee is being accused of __ financial problems __ __ __ to avoid embarrassment.

salt of the earth

very good, honest, and reasonable, and not thinking you are special in any way:

They were such a lovely couple. They really were the __ __ __ __.

He was the sort of person referred to as __ __ __ __: very friendly and straightforward.

be in the red

(informal, B2) owe money or be in debt; having a negative balance in accounts.

The company has been __ __ __ for several months.

Synonyms: in debt, losing money, overdrawn

at face value

for what something appears to be.

I took the offer __ __ __ because I didn’t think they would try to trick me.

in full swing

at a stage when the level of activity is at its highest.

When we got there, the party was __ __ __.

The economic recovery is now __ __ __.

at the crack of dawn

very early in the morning, especially at the time when the sun first appears:

We'll have to leave __ __ __ __.

by the book

exactly as the rules tell you.

My lawyer always goes strictly __ __ __.

This is a private deal - we don't have to do everything __ __ __.

by rights

if the situation was fair

__ __, it should be my turn next.

bias

the action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment.

The senator has accused the media of __.

Reporters must be impartial and not show political __.

variety is the spice of life

used to say that life is more interesting and enjoyable when it includes many different things

According to Venus in Gemini, __ __ __ __ __ , and this thought is applied to relationships.

glitch

(informal, B2) a small problem or fault in a system or machine.

There was a minor __ in the computer software.

Synonyms: bug, fault, malfunction

stoop

(neutral, B2) bend your body forward and down.

He had to __ to pick up the keys from the floor.

Synonyms: bend, crouch, hunch

bone idle

(informal, B2) extremely lazy; unwilling to work.

He never helps around the house because he is __ __.

Synonyms: lazy, idle, slothful

slippery customer

(informal, B2) a person who is tricky, untrustworthy, or hard to catch or understand.

Be careful dealing with him; he’s a __ __.

Synonyms: tricky person, untrustworthy person, elusive person

mindless violence

(neutral, B2) violent behavior that is senseless, unnecessary, or without purpose.

The protest turned into __ __.

Synonyms: senseless violence, pointless violence, reckless violence

pick a fight

start an argument or physical fight on purpose.

He tried to __ __ with his classmate.

hold in contempt

(formal, C1) feel or show strong dislike or disrespect for someone or something.

He __ his critics __ __.

Synonyms: disdain, scorn, despise

take the flak

(informal, B2) receive criticism or blame, often unfairly.

The manager had to _the _ for the team’s mistakes.

Synonyms: take the blame, be criticized, be reprimanded

shirk

(formal, B2) avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.

He tends to __ his responsibilities at work.

Synonyms: evade, neglect, dodge

wimp

(informal, B2) a weak, timid, or cowardly person.

Don’t be such a __; try the ride!

Synonyms: weakling, coward, softy

whimper

(neutral, B2) make a low, quiet, sad sound, often when in pain or distress.

The puppy __ when left alone.

Synonyms: whine, moan, cry softly

stoop to that level

(formal, C1) lower yourself to behave badly or unethically.

She refused to __ __ __ __ in order to win the argument.

Synonyms: degrade oneself, lower oneself, sink to that level

dirty trick

(informal, B2) a dishonest or unfair action intended to harm or deceive someone.

He played a __ __ to win the competition.

Synonyms: underhanded move, deceitful act, sneaky tactic

nasty piece of work

(informal, B2) a person who is unpleasant, cruel, or untrustworthy.

Be careful; he’s a __ __ __ __.

Synonyms: unpleasant person, cruel person, mean person

totally out of order

(informal, B2) completely unacceptable or unfair.

It was __ __ __ __ for him to take credit for her work.

Synonyms: unacceptable, improper, inappropriate

downright disgrace

(informal, B2) something or someone completely shameful or unacceptable.

Leaving the children alone like that was a __ __.

Synonyms: total shame, utter disgrace, complete dishonor

downright

(neutral, B2) completely or totally; often used to emphasize something negative.

It was __ rude of him to ignore her.

Synonyms: utterly, absolutely, completely

belittle achievement

make someone’s success seem unimportant.

Don’t __ __; she worked very hard for it.

cloud

make something less clear or harder to see.

His doubts __ his mind and made the choice difficult.

niggle

(neutral, B2) a small, annoying worry or criticism.

He had a __ about whether he remembered to lock the door.

Synonyms: minor worry, slight concern, irritation

glaring error

(formal, B2) a very obvious and serious mistake.

The report contained a __ __.

Synonyms: obvious mistake, serious error, blatant error

get the better of someone

gain an advantage over someone, often by making them lose control.

Anger __ __ __ him during the argument.

take a peek

(informal, B2) look quickly or secretly.

She __ __ at the presents before her birthday.

Synonyms: glance, sneak a look, have a quick look

earth swallow someone up

feel extremely embarrassed and wish to disappear.

He wanted the __ __ __ when he tripped on stage.

work the room

move around a group of people, talking and socializing confidently.

At the party, she knew how to __ __ __ and meet everyone.

laugh it off

treat something embarrassing or upsetting as funny and not serious.

He tried to __ __ when he spilled coffee on his shirt.

conduct

(formal, B2) the way someone behaves; behavior.

His professional __ was praised by the board.

Synonyms: behavior, actions, manners

nurture

(formal, B2) care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something.

Parents should __ their children’s talents.

Synonyms: foster, support, cultivate

firm

(neutral, B2) solid, strong, or not likely to give way.

She held his hand with a __ grip.

Synonyms: solid, strong, sturdy

cut-price

sold at a lower price than usual.

The store was offering __ __ laptops during the sale.

drop-down

a menu or list that appears when you click something, usually on a computer screen.

Select your country from the __ __ menu.

high-rise

a tall building with many floors.

She lives in a __ __ apartment in the city center.

long-standing

existing or continuing for a long time.

They finally solved a __ __ dispute between the two companies.

run-down

in poor condition or neglected.

They moved into a __ __ house that needed many repairs.

sun-soaked

full of sunlight or very sunny.

They enjoyed a __ __ beach all afternoon.

wind-swept

exposed to strong winds or having hair/clothes blown by the wind.

They walked along the __ __ cliffs by the sea.

get a foot on the ladder

start progressing in a career or organization.

He worked hard to __ __ __ __ in the company.

aspire to

(formal, B2) have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.

She __ __ a career in medicine.

Synonyms: aim for, strive for, seek

opt for

(neutral, B2) choose or decide on something.

He decided to __ __ the red car instead of the blue one.

Synonyms: choose, select, go for

flak

(informal, B2) criticism or strong disapproval.

The politician took a lot of __ for his controversial statement.

Synonyms: criticism, backlash, censure