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Rare gems

Uncommon words that make you sound well-read.

40 words
C1adjective
rare
ambiguous
/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/

Having more than one possible meaning, or being unclear.

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C1adjective
rare
ambivalent
/æmˈbɪvələnt/

Having mixed feelings or ideas about something.

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C1adjective
rare
candid
/ˈkændɪd/

Truthful and straightforward; not hiding thoughts.

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C1adjective
rare
cathartic
/kəˈθɑːtɪk/

Providing emotional release and relief.

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C1adjective
rare
coherent
/kəʊˈhɪərənt/

Logical and well-organized; easy to understand.

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C1verb
rare
contemplate
/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/

To think about something carefully for a long time.

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C1noun
rare
curriculum
/kəˈrɪkjələm/

The subjects studied in a school or course.

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C1adjective
rare
diligent
/ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/

Working hard and carefully.

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C2adjective
rare
ebullient
/ɪˈbʌliənt/

Full of energy, excitement, and happiness.

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C1adjective
rare
elaborate
/ɪˈlæbərət/

Complex, with many details.

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C1noun
rare
eloquence
/ˈeləkwəns/

The ability to speak beautifully and persuasively.

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B2adjective
rare
eloquent
/ˈeləkwənt/

Giving a clear, strong message using language well.

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C1noun
rare
empathy
/ˈempəθi/

The ability to understand how someone else feels.

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C1verb
rare
endeavor
/ɪnˈdevə/

To try hard to do something.

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C1adjective
rare
enigmatic
/ˌenɪɡˈmætɪk/

Mysterious and difficult to understand.

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C2noun
epic
ephemera
/ɪˈfemərə/

Things that are only important or useful for a short time.

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C1adjective
epic
ephemeral
/ɪˈfem(ə)rəl/

Lasting for only a short time.

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C1noun
rare
epiphany
/ɪˈpɪfəni/

A sudden understanding of something important.

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C1adjective
rare
exquisite
/ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/

Extremely beautiful and delicately made.

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C1noun
rare
hypothesis
/haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/

An idea suggested as an explanation that needs to be tested.

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C1adjective
rare
idyllic
/ɪˈdɪlɪk/

Extremely peaceful and beautiful, like a perfect picture.

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C2adjective
epic
ineffable
/ɪnˈefəbəl/

Too great or beautiful to be described in words.

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C1adjective
rare
inevitable
/ɪnˈevɪtəbəl/

Certain to happen; impossible to avoid.

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C1adjective
rare
inherent
/ɪnˈherənt/

Existing as a natural or permanent part of something.

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C1adjective
rare
inquisitive
/ɪnˈkwɪzətɪv/

Curious and eager to learn.

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C2verb
epic
juxtapose
/ˌdʒʌkstəˈpəʊz/

To place two things side by side, often to compare them.

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C2noun
epic
limerence
/ˈlɪmərəns/

The intense, overwhelming feeling of new romantic love.

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C1adjective
rare
lucid
/ˈluːsɪd/

Clear and easy to understand.

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B2noun
rare
masterpiece
/ˈmɑːstəpiːs/

A work of art that is extremely good.

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C2adjective
epic
mellifluous
/məˈlɪfluəs/

Sounding sweet and smooth, usually of sound or music.

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B2adjective
rare
meticulous
/məˈtɪkjələs/

Very careful and with great attention to detail.

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B2adjective
rare
mundane
/mʌnˈdeɪn/

Ordinary and boring; not special.

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C2adjective
rare
nefarious
/nɪˈfeəriəs/

Evil or criminal; wicked.

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B2adjective
rare
notorious
/nəʊˈtɔːriəs/

Famous for something bad.

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C1noun
rare
nuance
/ˈnjuːɑːns/

A very small difference in meaning or feeling.

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C2verb
epic
obfuscate
/ˈɒbfʌskeɪt/

To make something unclear or difficult to understand, often deliberately.

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C2adjective
rare
ostentatious
/ˌɒstenˈteɪʃəs/

Showy in a way meant to impress others.

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C2adjective
epic
perfunctory
/pəˈfʌŋktəri/

Done quickly and without much care, just to complete a duty.

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C2adjective
epic
pernicious
/pəˈnɪʃəs/

Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual way.

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C1noun
rare
perseverance
/ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/

Continued effort despite difficulties.

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