Essential English Vocabulary: A to Z

Vocabulary practice flashcards providing clear English definitions for key terms across the alphabet directly based on the lecture material.

Abbey

A house or group of houses where monks or nuns live.

Abolish

To put an end to something, such as a system or law.

Bachelor

An unmarried man.

Banquet

A grand formal dinner.

Barren

Land that has no plants growing on it.

Cache

A hiding place for valuable things.

Canyon

A narrow valley with steep walls through which a river often flows.

Dearth

An amount or supply which is not large enough.

Dilapidated

Old and in bad condition (used to describe a building).

Dilemma

A difficult situation in which a choice has to be made.

Eclipse

An occasion when the moon moves in front of the sun.

Enigma

Someone or something that is mysterious or hard to understand.

Euphemism

A term that is used in place of a mean or unpleasant word.

Euphoria

A feeling of extreme happiness.

Fad

Something that is popular for a short time.

Flammable

Able to catch on fire.

Genre

A type of literature, art, or music characterized by its style.

Hallmark

A unique characteristic of something.

Hermit

One who lives alone and does not spend time with others.

Hypothesis

An idea for something that has not been proved yet.

Idiom

A phrase with a meaning different from its words.

Impending

Going to happen soon.

Inadvertent

Done without realizing what you are doing.

Jagged

Having a rough, uneven shape or edge.

Janitor

A person who makes repairs and takes care of a building.

Kerosene

A type of oil used in some lamps and stoves.

Landmark

An object that helps people find or remember a location.

Legacy

An effect that exists because of a person or thing in the past.

Malnutrition

The condition of not getting enough nutrients.

Masterpiece

A very good painting, novel, movie, or other work of art.

Meteorology

The science that studies the weather.

Nuisance

A person or thing that is annoying or causes a lot of problems.

Obsolete

Not used anymore because something better exists.

Paradox

A true statement or real event that seems illogical.

Parasite

A tiny animal or plant that attaches to another animal to get food.

Precaution

An action that is meant to stop something bad from happening.

Quest

A long and difficult search for something.

Ransom

A sum of money paid to a kidnapper to set the person free.

Sanctuary

A place where people in danger can go to be safe.

Solitude

The state of being totally alone.

Tact

The ability to avoid offending people when dealing with problems.

Tenacious

Not easily giving up.

Undermine

To betray or weaken someone's efforts or authority.

Vigil

A period of watchful attention at night for a specific purpose.

Volatile

Likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly.

Zoology

A subject in which people study animals.