Vocabulary from The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson 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.

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A2 words (10)

absence/ˈæbsəns/A2: the state of being absent“he was surprised by the absence of any explanation”
accident/ˈæksədənt/A2: an unfortunate mishap“winning the lottery was a happy accident”
accompany/əˈkəmpəni/A2: be present or associated with an event or entity“French fries come with the hamburger”
active/ˈæktɪv/A2: chemical agent capable of activity“`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice”
actual/ˈækʧəwəl/A2: presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible“the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different”
admit/ədˈmɪt/A2: declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of“He admitted his errors”
advertise/ˈædvərˌtaɪz/A2: call attention to“Please don't advertise the fact that he has AIDS”
advise/ədˈvaɪz/A2: give advice to“The teacher counsels troubled students”
affair/əˈfɛr/A2: a vaguely specified concern“several matters to attend to”
afford/əˈfɔrd/A2: be able to spare or give up“I can't afford to spend two hours with this person”

B1 words (10)

accordingly/əˈkɔrdɪŋli/B1: (sentence connectors) because of the reason given“consequently, he didn't do it”
adventure/ədˈvɛnʧər/B1: a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)“When you buy these stocks you are gambling”
alarm/əˈlɑrm/B1: fear resulting from the awareness of danger“I was horrified at the thought of being late for my interview”
alert/əˈlərt/B1: condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action“bombers were put on alert during the crisis”
alongside/əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd/B1: side by side“anchored close aboard another ship”
alter/ˈɔltər/B1: cause to change“The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city”
altogether/ˌɔltəˈgɛðər/B1: informal terms for nakedness“in the raw”
anger/ˈæŋgər/B1: a strong emotion“The news angered him”
apparent/əˈpɛrənt/B1: clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment“the effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields”
arrival/ərˈaɪvəl/B1: accomplishment of an objective“they awaited her arrival”

B2 words (10)

abject/ˈæbʤɛkt/B2: of the most contemptible kind“abject cowardice”
abnormal/æbˈnɔrməl/B2: not normal“abnormal powers of concentration”
abruptly/əˈbrəptli/B2: quickly and without warning“he stopped suddenly”
absent/ˈæbsənt/B2: go away or leave“He absented himself”
accent/ˈækˌsɛnt/B2: distinctive manner of oral expression“he couldn't suppress his contemptuous accent”
acid/ˈæsəd/B2: any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt“an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose”
acknowledgment/ækˈnɑlɪʤmənt/B2: the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged“the partners were delighted with the recognition of their work”
acquaintance/əkˈweɪntəns/B2: personal knowledge or information about someone or something“I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances”
affection/əˈfɛkʃən/B2: a positive feeling of liking“he had trouble expressing the affection he felt”
affirmative/əˈfərmətɪv/B2: a reply of affirmation“he answered in the affirmative”

C1 words (9)

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”
accustom/əˈkəstəm/C1: make psychologically or physically used (to something)“She became habituated to the background music”
acquiescence/ˌækwiˈɛsəns/C1: acceptance without protest“he gave his assent eagerly”
admittance/ədˈmɪtəns/C1: the right to enter“the surgery was performed on his second admission to the clinic”
afresh/əˈfrɛʃ/C1: again but in a new or different way“start afresh”
alleviation/əˌliviˈeɪʃən/C1: the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced“as he heard the news he was suddenly flooded with relief”
amiss/əˈmɪs/C1: not functioning properly“something is amiss”
amorphous/əˈmɔrfəs/C1: having no definite form or distinct shape“amorphous clouds of insects”

C2 words (9)

abjectionC2: a low or downcast state“each confession brought her into an attitude of abasement”
accost/əˈkɔst/C2: speak to someone“he was solicited by a prostitute”
acuteness/əˈkjutnəs/C2: a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed“dogs have a remarkable acuteness of smell”
appalC2: strike with disgust or revulsion“The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends”
aptnessC2: a disposition to behave in a certain way“the aptness of iron to rust”
avow/əˈvaʊ/C2: to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true“Before God I swear I am innocent”
blackguardlyC2: lacking principles or scruples“the rascally rabble”
causelessC2: having no justifying cause or reason“a senseless, causeless murder”
chirrupingC2: make high-pitched sounds“the birds were chirping in the bushes”