WordVale

Sophisticated Everyday

101 words and expressions, each with a learner-friendly meaning. Tap any term for its page.

• ubiquitouspresent or found everywhere
• meticulousshowing great attention to detail; very careful
• pragmaticdealing with things practically rather than idealistically
• ephemerallasting a very short time
• nuancea subtle difference in meaning or expression
• candidtruthful and straightforward; frank
• prudentacting with care and thought for the future
• astutehaving sharp, accurate judgment
• eloquentfluent and persuasive in speaking or writing
• resilientable to recover quickly from difficulties
• tenaciousholding firmly to a purpose; persistent
• scrupulousdiligent, thorough, and careful about doing right
• versatileable to adapt to many different functions or tasks
• innateinborn; existing from birth
• profoundvery great or intense; showing deep insight
• succinctexpressed clearly in few words
• ambivalenthaving mixed or contradictory feelings
• inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable
• arbitrarybased on random choice rather than reason
• plausibleseeming reasonable or probable
• coherentlogical and consistent; clearly connected
• robuststrong and healthy; able to withstand stress
• subtleso delicate as to be difficult to notice
• intricatevery complicated or detailed
• candorthe quality of being open and honest
• diligentshowing careful, persistent effort
• gregariousfond of company; sociable
• frugalsparing and economical with money or resources
• obscurenot clearly expressed or easily understood
• lucidexpressed clearly; easy to understand
• mundanelacking interest or excitement; ordinary
• novelnew and original; not seen before
• trivialof little value or importance
• vividproducing strong, clear images in the mind
• blatantdone openly and unashamedly
• compellingevoking strong interest or conviction
• cursoryhasty and not thorough
• diminishto make or become less
• elicitto draw out a response or reaction
• endureto suffer patiently; to last
• enhanceto improve the quality or value of
• fosterto encourage the development of
• hinderto create difficulties; to hold back
• impartialtreating all sides equally; unbiased
• indispensableabsolutely necessary
• inherentexisting as a natural, permanent part of something
• mitigateto make less severe or serious
• obsoleteno longer in use; out of date
• paramountmore important than anything else; supreme
• perpetualnever ending or changing
• pertinentrelevant to the matter at hand
• plethoraa very large amount, often more than needed
• precludeto prevent from happening
• prevalentwidespread; common in a place or time
• reciprocalgiven or done in return; mutual
• redundantno longer needed; superfluous
• relentlessnever stopping; harsh and persistent
• sporadicoccurring at irregular intervals
• substantiateto provide evidence to support a claim
• tangibleperceptible by touch; clearly real
• transientlasting only a short time
• undermineto weaken gradually
• viablecapable of working successfully; feasible
• adeptvery skilled or proficient at something
• austeresevere or plain; without comfort or luxury
• benevolentkind and generous
• cogentclear, logical, and convincing
• copiousabundant; plentiful
• dauntingseeming difficult to deal with; intimidating
• discernto perceive or recognize clearly
• disparateessentially different in kind; not comparable
• emulateto imitate in order to match or surpass
• fastidiousvery attentive to detail; hard to please
• feasiblepossible to do easily or conveniently
• fortuitoushappening by chance, often luckily
• futileincapable of producing a useful result
• gratuitousdone without good reason; uncalled for
• impeccablein accordance with the highest standards; flawless
• inadvertentnot resulting from deliberate intent; accidental
• innocuousnot harmful or offensive
• meticulousnessthe quality of extreme care in detail
• nominalexisting in name only; very small
• ostensiblestated as true but perhaps not so; apparent
• palpableso intense as to seem almost touchable
• perfunctorydone with minimal effort or care
• pervasivespreading widely throughout
• poignantevoking a keen sense of sadness
• precariousdangerously insecure or unstable
• proficientcompetent and skilled
• quintessentialrepresenting the most perfect example of something
• resoluteadmirably firm and determined
• salientmost noticeable or important
• spuriousnot genuine; false
• staunchloyal and committed
• superfluousmore than is needed; unnecessary
• tacitunderstood without being stated
• tentativenot certain or fixed; provisional
• ubiquitythe state of being everywhere at once
• venerablecommanding respect through age or dignity
• warycautious about possible danger or problems
• zealousshowing great energy and enthusiasm