Vocabulary · Audiobook read-along
Vocabulary from Embers, Complete
Embers, Complete by Gilbert Parker introduces these 48 key English words — graded A2–C2, each with a short definition and an example. Learn them before you read, or review them after. In the reader you can tap any word to hear it and see it highlighted in the sentence.
A2 words (10)
- afraid/əˈfreɪd/A2
- filled with fear or apprehension“afraid even to turn his head”
- alive/əˈlaɪv/A2
- possessing life“the happiest person alive”
- ancient/ˈeɪnʧənt/A2
- a very old person“ancient history”
- angry/ˈæŋgri/A2
- feeling or showing anger“angry at the weather”
- apart/əˈpɑrt/A2
- remote and separate physically or socially“existed over the centuries as a world apart”
- arise/əraɪz/A2
- come into existence“A new religious movement originated in that country”
- bag/bæg/A2
- a flexible container with a single opening“he stuffed his laundry into a large bag”
- ban/bæn/A2
- a decree that prohibits something“Smoking is banned in this building”
- band/bænd/A2
- an unofficial association of people or groups“the smart set goes there”
- battle/ˈbætəl/A2
- a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war“Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga”
B1 words (10)
- aboard/əˈbɔrd/B1
- on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle“Their second homer with Bob Allison aboard”
- acceptance/əkˈsɛptəns/B1
- the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true“he gave credence to the gossip”
- afternoon/ˌæftərˈnun/B1
- the part of the day between noon and evening“he spent a quiet afternoon in the park”
- aged/ˈeɪʤɪd/B1
- people who are old collectively“special arrangements were available for the aged”
- alike/əˈlaɪk/B1
- having the same or similar characteristics“all politicians are alike”
- alternate/ˈɔltərˌneɪt/B1
- someone who takes the place of another person“We take turns on the night shift”
- ambassador/æmˈbæsədər/B1
- a diplomat of the highest rank“an ambassador of good will”
- anchor/ˈæŋkər/B1
- a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving“faith is his anchor”
- anger/ˈæŋgər/B1
- a strong emotion“The news angered him”
- Arctic/ˈɑrtɪk/B1
- the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole“the Arctic summer”
B2 words (10)
- abide/əˈbaɪd/B2
- dwell“You can stay with me while you are in town”
- abode/əˈboʊd/B2
- any address at which you dwell more than temporarily“a person can have several residences”
- admirer/ædˈmaɪrər/B2
- a person who backs a politician or a team etc.“all their supporters came out for the game”
- adore/əˈdɔr/B2
- love intensely“he just adored his wife”
- adorn/əˈdɔrn/B2
- make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.“Decorate the room for the party”
- afar/əˈfɑr/B2
- (old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance“we traveled afar”
- affirm/əˈfərm/B2
- establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts“his story confirmed my doubts”
- afield/əˈfild/B2
- far away from home or one's usual surroundings“looking afield for new lands to conquer”
- ainB2
- belonging to or on behalf of a specified person (especially yourself); preceded by a possessive“for your own use”
- alas/əˈlæs/B2
- a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism“the alae of the nose”
C1 words (9)
- abreast/əˈbrɛst/C1
- being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge“kept abreast of the latest developments”
- adieu/əˈdu/C1
- a farewell remark“they said their good-byes”
- afterglow/ˈæftərˌgloʊ/C1
- a glow sometimes seen in the sky after sunset“he basked in the afterglow of his victory”
- ageless/ˈeɪʤləs/C1
- continuing forever or indefinitely“the ageless themes of love and revenge”
- apace/əˈpeɪs/C1
- with rapid movements“he works quickly”
- assail/əˈseɪl/C1
- attack someone physically or emotionally“The mugger assaulted the woman”
- asunder/əˈsəndər/C1
- widely separated especially in space“as wide asunder as pole from pole”
- auroral/ərˈɔrəl/C1
- of or relating to the atmospheric phenomenon auroras“a prominent green line in the spectrum of the auroras is called the `auroral line'”
- beadingC1
- ornamentation with beads“bead the wedding gown”
C2 words (9)
- abasementC2
- a low or downcast state“each confession brought her into an attitude of abasement”
- affrightC2
- an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety“The stranger who hangs around the building frightens me”
- agleam/əˈglim/C2
- bright with a steady but subdued shining“from the plane we saw the city below agleam with lights”
- appalC2
- strike with disgust or revulsion“The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends”
- aslantC2
- having an oblique or slanted direction“the sun shone aslant into his face”
- astirC2
- out of bed“are they astir yet?”
- bewailC2
- regret strongly“I deplore this hostile action”
- climeC2
- the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time“the dank climate of southern Wales”
- deader/ˈdɛdər/C2
- no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life“the nerve is dead”