Advanced Vocabulary Words

Used to emphasize how small or insignificant something is; only; nothing more than.

A legendary sea creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.

A profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life cycle of an organism.

A person's ability to cope with difficulties; spirit and resilience.

A noxious or unpleasant atmosphere or environment, historically believed to cause disease.

An offensive term formerly used to describe a person of unusually short stature; now considered dero...

A superficial fungal growth that appears as a white or gray powder, often on damp surfaces or plants...

A nutrient-rich, usually white liquid produced by mammals to feed their young; also the act of extra...

A person who owns or works in a grain mill.

To cut food into very small pieces; also used idiomatically to avoid speaking directly.

A subordinate or underling, especially one who carries out orders unquestioningly.

A small or minor detail; a trivial item.

A collection of various items or writings; a mixture of different things.

To interpret something incorrectly, especially a statement or action.

An unfortunate minor accident or incident.

A very small arachnid, often parasitic; also used to mean a tiny amount.

A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable.

A change or alteration, usually to improve something or make it more suitable.

To adjust or vary the strength or quality of (a sound, signal, or other wave).

A wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman; also, a bump on a ski slope.

Each of two equal parts into which something is divided.

To soothe someone's anger or anxiety; to soften or reduce the intensity of something.

Lasting for a very short time.

A dog of mixed or no definable breed; a hybrid.

Large, powerful, and often rigid or impersonal; composed of a single material or unified element.

A seasonal prevailing wind in South and Southeast Asia, bringing heavy rains.

To be listless, sad, or depressed, often without expressing it openly.

An authorized period of delay in the performance of a legal obligation or the payment of a debt.

Humor that is sharply caustic or biting in a clever way.

The accepted customs, values, and practices of a society or social group.

Declining in activity, vigor, or relevance; approaching death or extinction.

An offensive term historically used for a person with mild intellectual disability; now commonly use...

A facility where dead bodies are kept, typically until burial or cremation.

A picture or pattern made from small colored tiles or pieces; also, a diverse mixture of elements.

A tiny particle of dust or debris, often visible in a beam of light.

To decay or disintegrate gradually; also refers to someone who shapes or forms, archaic spelling of ...

An act of moving the body or a part of it; a coordinated effort toward a goal; or a change in positi...

Dirt, filth, or manure; often refers to messy, unpleasant material.

To confuse or mix up; also refers to a confused or indistinct state.

To wrap or cover something to deaden or obscure sound or appearance.

A device on a vehicle that reduces engine noise; also, a scarf worn around the neck for warmth.

Warm and humid, especially in an unpleasant or oppressive way.

Having many different elements or parts; extremely diverse.

Extremely generous or liberal in giving.

A low, soft continuous sound, often indistinct, or to speak in such a way. It can also refer to an a...

Soft and easily broken into pieces, often having a texture like pulp. It can also describe overly se...

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism, often resulting in a new or altered trait. It is a sour...

Rebellious or defiant toward authority, especially in a collective way. Often used in the context of...

To catch or seize someone or something quickly or suddenly. Often used informally.

The lowest point in a situation, often used figuratively. It can also refer to the point on the cele...

To annoy or irritate someone with persistent criticism or complaints.

Lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocence or gullibility.

Related to the nose; or, having a tone quality produced through the nose.

Just coming into existence and beginning to develop.

Neat and stylish in appearance; tidy and dapper.

To cause to feel disgust or nausea.

A cloud of gas and dust in outer space, often the birthplace of stars.

Vague or unclear in form or meaning.

The practice of magic involving communication with the dead, often to predict the future or gain pow...

A slender, pointed tool used for sewing or medical injections; also a thin pointer on a measuring de...