(UK) /ɪnˈskruː.tə.bəl/Meaning: Difficult to understand or interpret.Example: The ancient text was inscrutable to the modern scholar without translation.

Inscrutable (adj.)

(UK) /ˈseɪ.li.ənt/Meaning: Most noticeable or important.Example: The salient point of the argument was that the proposal was too expensive.

Salient (adj.)

(UK) /vekˈseɪ.ʃəs/Meaning: Causing annoyance, frustration, or worry.Example: The vexatious noise of the construction site next door kept the neighbors up all night.

Vexatious (adj.)

(UK) /ɪˈnɪɡ.mə/Meaning: A person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.Example: The disappearance of the plane remains an enigma to investigators.

Enigma (n.)

(UK) /ˈfɜː.tɪv/Meaning: Attempting to avoid notice or attention, secretive.Example: The spy's furtive movements were captured on video by a surveillance camera.

Furtive (adj.)

(UK) /ɡrɪˈɡeə.ri.əs/Meaning: Fond of company, sociable.Example: The dog was so gregarious that it greeted every visitor to the house with wagging tail.

Gregarious (adj.)

(UK) /ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/Meaning: Having keen insight, mentally sharp.Example: The perspicacious detective quickly solved the crime.

Perspicacious (adj.)

(UK) /ˈmɪr.i.əd/Meaning: A very large number or variety.Example: The book contained a myriad of facts and figures about the history of the region.

Myriad (n./adj.)

(UK) /ˈkwer.ʊ.ləs/Meaning: Complaining or whining in a petulant manner.Example: The querulous child whined about not getting the toy he wanted.

Querulous (adj.)

(UK) /ˈzel.əs/Meaning: Having great enthusiasm or passion for something.Example: The zealous artist poured his heart and soul into his paintings.

Zealous (adj.)

(UK) /ˈkwer.ʊ.ləs/Meaning: Complaining, whining, fretful.Example: The patient was querulous and demanded constant attention from the nurses.

(UK) /ˈɒb.dʒʊ.rət/Meaning: Stubborn, unyielding, resistant to persuasion.Example: The obdurate boss would not listen to any suggestions from her employees.

Obdurate (adj.)

(UK) /ˈlɪm.pɪd/Meaning: Clear, transparent, easy to understand.Example: Her voice was a limpid and pure as a mountain stream.

Limpid (adj.)

(UK) /ˌæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/Meaning: A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected.Example: The athlete's poor performance in the competition was an abberation from his usual record.

Aberration (n.)

(UK) /ˈdʒen.ju.flekt/Meaning: To kneel, bow or bend in reverence or worship.Example: The athlete genuflected before the game as a sign of respect for his opponents.

Genuflect (v.)

(UK) /juːˈbɪk.wɪ.təs/Meaning: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.Example: Fast food chains are ubiquitous in the United States.

Ubiquitous (adj.)

(UK) /kəˈkɒf.ə.ni/Meaning: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.Example: The construction site next door was a cacophony of drilling, hammering, and shouting.

Cacophony (n.)

(UK) /ˌæk.si.əˈmæt.ɪk/Meaning: Self-evident, unquestionable.Example: The idea that people have the right to free speech is axiomatic in democratic societies.

Axiomatic (adj.)

(UK) /ɪˈfem.ər.əl/Meaning: Lasting for a very short time.Example: The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral and only lasts for a few days.

Ephemeral (adj.)

(UK) /ˌmet.əˈmɔː.fə.sɪs/Meaning: A profound change in form or nature.Example: Her experiences during the war caused a metamorphosis in her beliefs and attitudes.

Metamorphosis (n.)

(UK) /ˌnɒnˈplʌst/Meaning: Bewildered, confused, unsure how to react.Example: She was left feeling nonplussed by the strange turn of events.

Nonplussed (adj.)

(UK) /nɪˈfeə.ri.əs/Meaning: Wicked or criminal.Example: The thieves had a nefarious plan to rob the bank and get away with the money.

Nefarious (adj.)

(UK) /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ɪ.ti/Meaning: Calmness, composure, evenness of temper.Example: He faced the criticism with equanimity and did not let it bother him.

Equanimity (n.)

(UK) /bɒmˈbæs.tɪk/Meaning: High-sounding but with little meaning, inflated.Example: The CEO's email to employees was filled with bombastic language about the company's success.

Bombastic (adj.)

(UK) /dɪˈspær.ɪdʒ/Meaning: Regard or represent as being of little worth, belittle.Example: The politician's opponent disparage his record as a failed leader.

Disparage (v.)

(UK) /ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊz/Meaning: To place side by side for comparison or contrast.Example: The author juxtaposed the protagonist's inner thoughts with her outward actions.

Juxtapose (v.)

(UK) /ˈhɑː.bɪn.dʒər/Meaning: A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another.Example: The first snowfall of the year is often seen as a harbinger of winter.

Harbinger (n.)

(UK) /vɪˈtʃuː.pər.eɪt/Meaning: To criticize or berate harshly, to use abusive language towards.Example: He vituperated his boss in a scathing email that he later regretted sending.

Vituperate (v.)

(UK) /kəˈnʌn.drəm/Meaning: A confusing and difficult problem or question.Example: Solving this math problem was a conundrum that took me hours to figure out.

Conundrum (n.)

(UK) /ɪnˈtræn.sɪ.dʒənt/Meaning: Stubborn, unwilling to compromise.Example: The union leaders were intransigent in their demands for higher wages.

Intransigent (adj.)

C2 words for IELTS - Group 2. These 30 words are at Level C2 (the highest level) so you can test your skills and improve your vocabulary.

Nefarious (adj.)

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