(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.

Nonplussed (adj.)

Similar ideas to Nonplussed (adj.)

There are two kinds of historical events to learn from

Thinking of time as space

The Stages of Transition