Level C2 Word List.pdf

WORD LIST FOR LEVEL

C2

This publication has made use of the English Vocabulary Profile. This resource is

based on extensive research using the Cambridge Learner Corpus and is part of the

English Profile programme, which aims to provide evidence about language use that

helps to produce better language teaching materials.

See http://www.englishprofile.org/ for more information.

Compiled electronically by Efthimios Mavrogeorgiadis.

http://www.toe.gr/

Abbreviations

!

Culturally Sensitive Word

+ two objects

A verb that has two objects.

C

Countable noun: a noun that has both singular and plural forms.

C usually no plural or U

Countable noun which usually has no plural or uncountable noun.

I

Intransitive verb: a verb that has no object.

T

Transitive verb: a verb that has an object.

U

Uncountable noun: noun with no plural form. Cannot be used with 'a', 'an', or 'one'.

UK

British English

US

American English

abbreviation

A short form of a word or phrase.

adjective

A word that describes a noun or pronoun.

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adverb

A word that describes or gives more information about a verb, adjective or other

adverb.

approving

Used in a positive way, to show that you have a good opinion of someone or

something.

auxiliary verb

The verbs 'be', 'have' and 'do' when combined with other verbs to make different

forms.

before noun

An adjective that always comes before a noun.

conjunction

A word used to join parts of a phrase or sentence.

determiner

Word used before noun or adj to show which person or thing is being referred to.

disapproving

Used in a negative way, to show that you have a bad opinion of someone or

something.

exclamation

A word or phrase that you say loudly or suddenly to express strong feelings.

formal

Used in serious writing, or for communicating with people in a serious or polite way.

informal

Used in relaxed situations, for example with friends and family. Used more in speech.

literary

Used in books and poems, and not in ordinary conversation.

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modal verb

Verb such as can, might, must. With another verb, shows an idea such as possibility.

noun

A word that refers to a person, place, idea, event or thing.

often passive

In a passive verb/sentence, the subject does not do the action but is affected by it.

often plural

Refers to more than one person or thing.

phrasal verb

Verb with an adverb or preposition, with meaning different from meaning of its parts.

plural

Refers to more than one person or thing.

preposition

Word used before noun, pronoun or -ing form of verb to show place, direction, etc.

pronoun

A word used instead of a noun, which has usually already been talked about.

specialized

Used in connection with a particular area of work or study.

symbol

A sign, shape or object used to represent something else.

verb

A word that describes an action, condition or experience.

written abbreviation

A short form of a word or phrase only used in writing

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A

able /ˈeɪ.bl̩/

Word family:

Nouns: ability, disability, inability

Verbs: enable

Adjectives: able, disabled, unable

ADJECTIVE

CLEVER

clever or good at doing something

Dictionary example:

She's a very able student.

Learner example:

They contend that this will lead to better grades, better results in key stage test[s], and a more

able work force.

above /əˈbʌv/

ADVERB; PREPOSITION

TOO IMPORTANT

too good or important for something

Dictionary example:

No one is above suspicion in this matter.

abrupt /əˈbrʌpt/

Word family:

Adjectives: abrupt

Adverbs: abruptly

ADJECTIVE

SUDDEN

sudden and not expected

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Dictionary example:

Our conversation came to an abrupt end.

Learner example:

Their income came from the revenues obtained by selling milk, fruit, jelly and other perishable

goods, but they had to pay John, or their happy lifestyle would come to an abrupt end.

RUDE

dealing with people in a quick way that is unfriendly or rude

Dictionary example:

She has a rather abrupt manner.

Learner example:

I was poorly received and the general tone of the person assisting me was rude and abrupt.

abruptly /əˈbrʌp.tli/

Word family:

Adjectives: abrupt

Adverbs: abruptly

ADVERB

suddenly and quickly

Dictionary examples:

They abruptly left the party.

His speech ended abruptly and he left the stage.

Learner example:

When she became an adolescent, her perspective changed abruptly.

absolutely /ˈæb.sə.luːt.li/

Word family:

Adjectives: absolute

Adverbs: absolutely

ADVERB

Absolutely not.

used to strongly disagree with someone or to agree with something negative

Dictionary example:

"Are you suggesting that we should just ignore the problem?" "No, absolutely not."

Learner example:

Does it mean the parents will allow them to eat anything they please? Absolutely not. You have to

give the children some options, instead of imposing things on them.

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abuse /əˈbjuːs/

Word family:

Nouns: abuse

Adjectives: abusive

NOUN

LANGUAGE

! [U] rude and offensive words said to another person

Dictionary example:

Rival fans shouted abuse at each other.

Learner example:

I went all the way back cycling on the wrong side of the road, and anyone who said something

about it could expect a stream of abuse.

abusive /əˈbjuːsɪv/

Word family:

Nouns: abuse

Adjectives: abusive

ADJECTIVE

saying rude and offensive words to someone

Dictionary example:

an abusive phone call

Learner example:

This is partly true, because even [a] slightly abusive expression might result in discord or [rupture]

between seemingly close friends.

academic /ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk/

ADJECTIVE

CLEVER

clever and good at studying

Dictionary example:

He's not very academic.

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accelerate /əkˈsel.ə.reɪt/

VERB

VEHICLE

[I] to move or cause yourself or a vehicle to move faster

Dictionary example:

The car in front accelerated and left us behind.

Learner example:

When I ride my bike and start accelerating, I feel that I move with the speed of the wind.

accessible /əkˈses.ə.bl̩/

Word family:

Nouns: access

Verbs: access

Adjectives: accessible

ADJECTIVE

UNDERSTAND

easy to understand

Dictionary example:

They are attempting to make opera accessible to a wider audience.

Learner example:

Jacques Prevert, the French poet, changed our way [of seeing] the world by making poetry

accessible to everyone.

accompany /əˈkʌm.pə.ni/

VERB [T]

MUSIC

to play music to support someone else who is playing or singing

Dictionary example:

He accompanied me on the piano.

Learner example:

Last year, for instance, the concert became a recital: two singers performed Lieder by Schubert

accompanied by the piano and by the sweet sound of Arimany's golden flute.

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accord /əˈkɔːd/

Word family:

Nouns: accord, accordance

NOUN

of your own accord

If you do something of your own accord, you choose to do it and no one else

forces you.

Dictionary example:

She left of her own accord.

Learner example:

She would go alone, but it was something that was chosen of her own accord.

account /əˈkaʊnt/

Word family:

Nouns: account, accountant

NOUN

on no account; not on any account

not for any reason or in any situation

Dictionary example:

On no account must these records be changed.

Learner example:

Mary did not want Martin to leave on any account, let alone move to a foreign country.

VERB

account for sth PHRASAL VERB

to be the reason for something, or to explain the reason for something

Dictionary examples:

Can you account for your absence last Friday?

He'd had an argument with Caroline, which accounts for his bad mood this morning.

She was asked to account for the missing money.

Learner example:

I was at a loss for words when I tried to account for her behaviour, but I never ceased to consider

her a very valuable friend.

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accountable /əˈkaʊn.tə.bl̩/

Word family:

Verbs: account

Adjectives: accountable

ADJECTIVE [NEVER BEFORE NOUN]

responsible for what you do and having to be able to explain your actions

Dictionary examples:

Hospitals must be held accountable for their mistakes.

Politicians should be accountable to the public that elects them.

Learner example:

Finally, there should be a person who should be held accountable and [is] accessible to our

complaints.

accumulation /əˌkjuː.mjəˈleɪ.ʃən/

Word family:

Nouns: accumulation

Verbs: accumulate

NOUN [C or U]

an amount of something that has been collected

Dictionary example:

Despite this accumulation of evidence, the government did nothing.

Learner example:

What is success? For some it is the accumulation of pos[s]es[s]ions, for others it's fame, health,

love.

acre /ˈeɪ.kər/

NOUN [C]

a unit for measuring area, equal to 4047 square metres

Dictionary example:

He's got 400 acres of land in Wales.

Learner example:

We have to admit that, not only because of the financial weakness but also because of the badly

organized plans, we failed to achieve the planting of 10,000 trees per acre.

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across /əˈkrɒs/

ADVERB; PREPOSITION

across the board

happening or having an effect on people at every level and in every area

Dictionary example:

The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions reporting increased profits.

Learner example:

Children in separate schools get on with things regardless of it being work for boys or girls, which

can be quite positive especially in today's lifestyles where chores are done across the board.

act /ækt/

Word family:

Nouns: act, action, actor

Verbs: act

NOUN

FALSE BEHAVIOUR

[NO PLURAL] behaviour which hides your real feelings or intentions

Dictionary example:

Was she really upset or was that just an act?

Learner example:

Sometimes what is put on display for the tourists is all an act and gives you a different impression

and opinion of the country and people, so it would be advisable to meet some local people like

the butcher or baker and have a talk with them.

get your act together INFORMAL

to organize your activities so that you can make progress

Dictionary example:

She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together.

Learner example:

He was determined to get his act together and try to find a solution to his problem.

action /ˈæk.ʃən/

Word family:

Nouns: act, action, actor

Verbs: act

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NOUN

FIGHTING

[U] fighting in a war

Dictionary example:

He was killed in action.

Learner example:

It was a shock when she got to know that her husband had been killed in action.

PROCESS

[NO PLURAL] a movement or natural process

Dictionary example:

The rocks are smoothed by the action of water.

Learner example:

The area of Sayago - in the Spanish province of Zamora - and Tras-os-Montes, in Portugal, are

joined by a natural border: the river Duero and the rocky canyon that has been eroded for millions

of years by the action of the water.

add /æd/

Word family:

Nouns: addition

Verbs: add

Adjectives: additional

Adverbs: additionally

VERB

add insult to injury

to make someone's bad situation worse by doing something else to upset them

Dictionary example:

To add insult to injury, we had to pay for the damage!

Learner example:

To add insult to injury, such an approach often turns out to be counterproductive.

address /əˈdres/

VERB [T]

SPEAK

FORMAL to speak to someone, or to give a speech to an audience

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Dictionary example:

Today she will be addressing a major conference in London.

Learner example:

He inhaled deeply before addressing the group again.

BUILDING DETAILS

to write a name and address on an envelope or parcel

Dictionary example:

A parcel arrived addressed to Emma.

Learner example:

The envelope was addressed to Kathleen.

adjacent /əˈdʒeɪ.sənt/

ADJECTIVE FORMAL

If two things are adjacent, they are next to each other.

Dictionary examples:

The fire started in an adjacent building.

They live in a house adjacent to the railway.

Learner example:

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to you with regard to the recent proposal of the City Council to

build a supermarket on land that is currently a local park, namely Cranleigh Gardens, adjacent to

the Cranleigh housing estate, where I live.

adolescent /ˌæd.əlˈe.sənt/

NOUN [C]

a young person who is between being a child and an adult

Dictionary example:

Many adolescents are secretive.

Learner example:

Children become adolescents with more freedom and yet more responsibilities.

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