A reference list, not a lesson with exercises — browse by part of speech, read the definition and example, and come back whenever you need a quick reminder.
To spread through or over something completely, especially light, colour, or emotion.
To remain in an unpleasant or difficult situation for a long time without improvement.
To firmly warn or criticize someone about their behavior, often gently or formally.
To trap someone, often through trickery.
To spend time in a leisurely or aimless way, often delaying something.
To ask someone urgently and with strong emotion to do something (formal/literary).
To trouble or threaten someone or something persistently.
To release a boat from where it is tied; also, to make someone feel unstable or lost.
To formally withdraw from a country, state, or organization.
To officially demand and collect a payment, such as a tax.
To give up ownership of something, such as an investment or property.
To leave property or money to someone in your will.
Literally to remove the internal organs of; more commonly, to severely criticize or destroy an argument.
To make someone feel less angry by doing or saying something to please them.
To prove that someone was right about something, or that they were unfairly accused.
To accept something reluctantly, without arguing.
To speak about someone or something in a way that shows you think they have little value.
To officially state that someone is not guilty of a crime they were blamed for.
To conquer and control a group of people, often by force.
To stop resisting and accept the demands of an opponent.
Careless and not organized or thorough.
Much more than is normal or necessary; excessive.
Done without good reason, especially something unpleasant like violence.
Shockingly vivid or sensational, especially describing something unpleasant.
Deliberately vague or unwilling to give information, often out of caution.
Infested with vermin, or resembling a pest.
Involving secret cooperation, especially for an illegal or dishonest purpose.
Not honorable; morally low or shameful.
Calm and steady, not easily upset by problems or stress.
Rude, loud, and lacking good manners.
Expensive or noticeable in a way that is intended to impress people.
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or not easily noticed way.
Lasting for only a very short time.
Proceeding in a gradual, harmful way that is not easily noticed until it's too late.
Showing too much eagerness to please or obey someone, in an insincere way.
Seeming to be everywhere at the same time; very common.
Changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably.
Tending to say very little; reserved and quiet.
Having or showing a strong desire for revenge.
Pretending to be more morally superior than other people.
A lover, especially the secret partner of someone married to someone else (literary).
A gradual reduction in the number or strength of something, often through continuous pressure.
A particular way of speaking or using words, typical of a certain group.
The range of someone's authority, knowledge, or responsibility.
A strong liking or habitual preference for something.
Careful research and investigation done before making a decision, especially in business.
In a ship's prison; informally, in trouble or detention.
The ability to make good, quick decisions, especially in business or money matters.
Someone with expert knowledge and appreciation of a particular subject, especially food, art, or drink.
A state of confusion or uncertainty about what to do.
A change of circumstances, especially an unwelcome or difficult one (usually plural).
The use of clever but dishonest methods to achieve something.
Deceptive tricks or strategies used to hide the truth or achieve a goal secretly.
A stylish, confident, and slightly showy way of doing something.
An urgent need or demand that requires immediate attention.
Excessive pride or confidence, especially the kind that leads to someone's downfall.
The lowest or worst point of something.
The highest or most successful point of something.
A secret or complicated plan intended to achieve something harmful (usually plural).
A natural tendency to behave in a particular way, often something slightly negative.
Done by choice, without being forced or persuaded.
Formal/old-fashioned: something suits or is appropriate for you.
In a state of nervous excitement or confusion.
To surrender or admit defeat (originally a naval term about lowering a flag).
Not previously imagined or thought possible (formal/literary).
Into conflict or trouble with, especially the law or authority.
With reference to; connected with what has just been said (formal).
In relation to; in comparison with (formal).
From where or from which (formal/archaic).
In order to prevent something happening; for fear that (formal/literary).
Used to introduce a stronger or more accurate word than the one just used (formal/literary).
More than is necessary or reasonable.
To work late into the night.
To challenge someone to compete or fight.
A victory that costs the winner so much that it is almost like a defeat.
To stop trying hard because you're satisfied with what you have already achieved.
What you would normally expect in a particular situation, especially something annoying.
To make a situation more confusing or complicated, sometimes deliberately.
To make an already bad situation worse, especially an argument.
To be at a point where an important decision must be made.