Vocabulary · Audiobook read-along
Vocabulary from Heart of Darkness
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad 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)
- abandon/əˈbændən/A2
- the trait of lacking restraint or control“she danced with abandon”
- absolutely/ˌæbsəˈlutli/A2
- completely and without qualification“an absolutely magnificent painting”
- accident/ˈæksədənt/A2
- an unfortunate mishap“winning the lottery was a happy accident”
- active/ˈæktɪv/A2
- chemical agent capable of activity“`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice”
- administration/ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən/A2
- a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)“he claims that the present administration is corrupt”
- admit/ədˈmɪt/A2
- declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of“He admitted his errors”
- advise/ədˈvaɪz/A2
- give advice to“The teacher counsels troubled students”
- affair/əˈfɛr/A2
- a vaguely specified concern“several matters to attend to”
- afraid/əˈfreɪd/A2
- filled with fear or apprehension“afraid even to turn his head”
- aid/eɪd/A2
- a resource“visual aids in teaching”
B1 words (10)
- aboard/əˈbɔrd/B1
- on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle“Their second homer with Bob Allison aboard”
- abstract/ˈæbˌstrækt/B1
- a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance“he loved her only in the abstract--not in person”
- accomplish/əˈkɑmplɪʃ/B1
- put in effect“carry out a task”
- accordance/əˈkɔrdəns/B1
- concurrence of opinion“we are in accord with your proposal”
- accordingly/əˈkɔrdɪŋli/B1
- (sentence connectors) because of the reason given“consequently, he didn't do it”
- acquisition/ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/B1
- the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something“the acquisition of wealth”
- adequate/ˈædəkˌweɪt/B1
- having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task“she had adequate training”
- adventure/ədˈvɛnʧər/B1
- a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)“When you buy these stocks you are gambling”
- aggressive/əˈgrɛsɪv/B1
- having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends“an aggressive businessman”
- alarm/əˈlɑrm/B1
- fear resulting from the awareness of danger“I was horrified at the thought of being late for my interview”
B2 words (10)
- abandonment/əˈbændənmənt/B2
- the act of giving something up“his abandonment of his wife and children left them penniless”
- abide/əˈbaɪd/B2
- dwell“You can stay with me while you are in town”
- abject/ˈæbʤɛkt/B2
- of the most contemptible kind“abject cowardice”
- abomination/əˌbɑməˈneɪʃən/B2
- a person who is loathsome or disgusting“his treatment of the children is an abomination”
- abrupt/əˈbrəpt/B2
- marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions“abrupt prose”
- abruptly/əˈbrəptli/B2
- quickly and without warning“he stopped suddenly”
- absent/ˈæbsənt/B2
- go away or leave“He absented himself”
- absorb/əbˈzɔrb/B2
- become imbued“The liquids, light, and gases absorb”
- absurd/əbˈsərd/B2
- a situation in which life seems irrational and meaningless“The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth”
- absurdity/əbˈsərdəti/B2
- a message whose content is at variance with reason“the crowd laughed at the absurdity of the clown's behavior”
C1 words (9)
- ablaze/əˈbleɪz/C1
- keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement“his face all ablaze with excitement”
- abominable/əˈbɑmənəbəl/C1
- unequivocally detestable“abominable treatment of prisoners”
- abreast/əˈbrɛst/C1
- being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge“kept abreast of the latest developments”
- abscond/æbˈskɑnd/C1
- run away“The thief made off with our silver”
- accustom/əˈkəstəm/C1
- make psychologically or physically used (to something)“She became habituated to the background music”
- acquaint/əkˈweɪnt/C1
- cause to come to know personally“permit me to acquaint you with my son”
- afresh/əˈfrɛʃ/C1
- again but in a new or different way“start afresh”
- aggravate/ˈægrəˌveɪt/C1
- make worse“This drug aggravates the pain”
- agitate/ˈæʤəˌteɪt/C1
- try to stir up public opinion“The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks”
C2 words (9)
- abominateC2
- find repugnant“I loathe that man”
- adorerC2
- someone who admires a young woman“she had many admirers”
- appalC2
- strike with disgust or revulsion“The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends”
- appall/əˈpɔl/C2
- strike with disgust or revulsion“The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends”
- astirC2
- out of bed“are they astir yet?”
- athwart/əθˈwɔrt/C2
- at right angles to the center line of a ship“the sun shone aslant into his face”
- becalm/bɪˈkɑm/C2
- make steady“steady yourself”
- bedeck/bɪˈdɛk/C2
- decorate“deck the halls with holly”
- begrimeC2
- make soiled, filthy, or dirty“don't soil your clothes when you play outside!”