Intermediate Words That Start With D

Intermediate Words That Start With D

Expanding your vocabulary is an ongoing journey, and one way to elevate your language skills is by incorporating intermediate-level words into your daily conversations and writing. If you’re looking to broaden your linguistic horizons, starting with words that begin with the letter “D” is an excellent choice.

List of Intermediate Words That Start With D

Intermediate Words That Start With D with meaning and example

Dabble
Meaning: To take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
Example: She likes to dabble in painting on the weekends.

Daring
Meaning: Willing to take risks; bold.
Example: The daring adventurer explored uncharted territories.

Dash
Meaning: To move quickly and suddenly.
Example: He made a dash for the exit when the fire alarm went off.

Debate
Meaning: A formal discussion on a particular topic.
Example: The candidates engaged in a heated debate about healthcare.

Decay
Meaning: The process of rotting or decomposing.
Example: The old house was left to decay over the years.

Decide
Meaning: To make a choice or judgment.
Example: She had to decide between taking the job or continuing her studies.

Declare
Meaning: To announce something publicly or officially.
Example: The country decided to declare independence from the empire.

Dedicate
Meaning: To devote time or effort to a particular task or purpose.
Example: She dedicated her life to helping others.

Defend
Meaning: To protect from harm or danger.
Example: The soldiers were ready to defend the city from attack.

Define
Meaning: To explain the meaning of a word or concept.
Example: Can you define the term ‘sustainability’ for me?

Delay
Meaning: To postpone or put off to a later time.
Example: The flight was delayed due to bad weather.

Deliver
Meaning: To bring or hand over something to the intended recipient.
Example: The courier will deliver the package tomorrow.

Deny
Meaning: To refuse to admit the truth or existence of something.
Example: He denied any involvement in the crime.

Depend
Meaning: To rely on or be controlled by someone or something.
Example: The success of the project will depend on your efforts.

Describe
Meaning: To give a detailed account of something.
Example: Can you describe what happened at the meeting?

Design
Meaning: To create a plan or drawing for something.
Example: She was hired to design the new company logo.

Desire
Meaning: A strong feeling of wanting to have something.
Example: His desire for success drove him to work hard.

Destroy
Meaning: To cause something to no longer exist or be in use.
Example: The hurricane destroyed many homes along the coast.

Develop
Meaning: To grow or cause something to become more advanced.
Example: The company plans to develop a new software application.

Device
Meaning: A tool or piece of equipment made for a specific purpose.
Example: The smartphone is a highly versatile device.

Dialogue
Meaning: A conversation between two or more people.
Example: The movie had excellent dialogue that captured the characters’ emotions.

Difference
Meaning: A point or way in which things are not the same.
Example: There’s a big difference between how the two companies operate.

Difficult
Meaning: Needing much effort or skill to accomplish.
Example: Learning a new language can be difficult.

Direct
Meaning: To control the operations of something.
Example: She was chosen to direct the new marketing campaign.

Discuss
Meaning: To talk about something with someone.
Example: Let’s discuss the details of the project.

Divide
Meaning: To separate into parts or groups.
Example: The teacher divided the class into two teams.

Doubt
Meaning: A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
Example: He had doubts about the success of the plan.

Dramatic
Meaning: Sudden and striking in effect.
Example: The news had a dramatic impact on the stock market.

Draft
Meaning: A preliminary version of a piece of writing.
Example: She sent me a draft of the report for review.

Danger
Meaning: The possibility of harm or injury.
Example: The climbers were aware of the danger of avalanches.

Data
Meaning: Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.
Example: The company uses data to make informed business decisions.

Deceive
Meaning: To mislead or trick someone into believing something false.
Example: He tried to deceive his friend by telling a lie.

Disrupt
Meaning: To interrupt or disturb something.
Example: The protest disrupted the flow of traffic.

Distinct
Meaning: Clearly different or separate.
Example: The two species are distinct, with different characteristics.

Dignity
Meaning: The state or quality of being worthy of respect.
Example: She handled the criticism with dignity.

Donate
Meaning: To give something, especially money, to a charity or cause.
Example: She decided to donate a portion of her earnings to charity.

Deduce
Meaning: To draw a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.
Example: The detective deduced that the crime was an inside job.

Diverse
Meaning: Showing a great deal of variety.
Example: The city has a diverse population with many cultures.

Delegate
Meaning: To entrust a task or responsibility to another person.
Example: The manager decided to delegate the project to her team.

Dazzle
Meaning: To blind temporarily with a bright light or to impress deeply.
Example: The fireworks display dazzled the crowd.

Dwell
Meaning: To live in or at a specified place.
Example: They dwell in a small village by the sea.

Deduct
Meaning: To subtract or take away from a total.
Example: The company will deduct taxes from your paycheck.

Distant
Meaning: Far away in space or time.
Example: They could see a distant mountain range on the horizon.

Detour
Meaning: A longer or less direct route taken to avoid something.
Example: We had to take a detour because of road construction.

Degrade
Meaning: To treat someone with disrespect or to lower in quality.
Example: The harsh criticism was meant to degrade his confidence.

Diminish
Meaning: To make or become less.
Example: His enthusiasm for the project began to diminish over time.

Deficit
Meaning: The amount by which something is too small or lacking.
Example: The government is trying to reduce the budget deficit.

Dismantle
Meaning: To take apart a structure or system.
Example: They decided to dismantle the old factory.

Disturb
Meaning: To interrupt the normal function or activity of something.
Example: Loud noises can disturb your sleep.

Detect
Meaning: To discover or identify the presence of something.
Example: The test can detect even small amounts of the virus.

Depict
Meaning: To represent or show in a picture, sculpture, or words.
Example: The artist’s paintings depict scenes from rural life.

Delight
Meaning: Great pleasure or joy.
Example: The children squealed with delight at the sight of the ice cream truck.

Dynamic
Meaning: Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.
Example: The technology industry is a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Deter
Meaning: To discourage someone from doing something by instilling doubt or fear.
Example: The heavy fines are meant to deter people from breaking the law.

Diversity
Meaning: A range of different things; variety.
Example: The company values diversity in its workforce.

Distress
Meaning: Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
Example: She was in distress after hearing the bad news.

Defiant
Meaning: Showing resistance or disobedience.
Example: The defiant teenager refused to follow the rules.

Disclose
Meaning: To make something known or reveal.
Example: The company refused to disclose its financial details.

Ductile
Meaning: Capable of being drawn out or stretched into a thin wire.
Example: Copper is a ductile metal, often used in electrical wiring.

Drive
Meaning: To operate and control the direction and speed of a vehicle.
Example: He learned to drive a car when he was sixteen.

Document
Meaning: A written or printed record that provides information.
Example: Please sign and return the document by tomorrow.

Dull
Meaning: Lacking interest or excitement; boring.
Example: The lecture was dull and put several students to sleep.

Doubtful
Meaning: Feeling uncertain about something.
Example: She was doubtful about the success of the project.

Discover
Meaning: To find or learn something for the first time.
Example: Scientists discover new species in the rainforest every year.

Dread
Meaning: Great fear or apprehension.
Example: He felt a sense of dread as the deadline approached.

Decline
Meaning: To become smaller, fewer, or less; decrease.
Example: The population of the city has been in decline for several years.

Deposit
Meaning: A sum of money placed or kept in a bank account.
Example: He made a deposit into his savings account.

Demonstrate
Meaning: To show or prove something by reasoning or evidence.
Example: The teacher will demonstrate how to solve the problem.

Deteriorate
Meaning: To become progressively worse.
Example: His health began to deteriorate after the accident.

Defer
Meaning: To postpone or delay.
Example: She decided to defer her university admission for a year.

Deliberate
Meaning: Done consciously and intentionally.
Example: The jury took several hours to deliberate before reaching a verdict.

Discourse
Meaning: Written or spoken communication or debate.
Example: The academic discourse on climate change is extensive.

Denote
Meaning: To indicate or be a sign of something.
Example: The red light denotes that the machine is in use.

Dismay
Meaning: A feeling of distress or anxiety, typically caused by something unexpected.
Example: To his dismay, the flight was canceled at the last minute.

Dignify
Meaning: To make something seem worthy or important.
Example: She tried to dignify the event by wearing formal attire.

Diversify
Meaning: To make or become more varied.
Example: The company is trying to diversify its product range.

Dispute
Meaning: A disagreement or argument.
Example: The two neighbors were in a dispute over property boundaries.

Diligent
Meaning: Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.
Example: She was diligent in her studies and earned top grades.

Denounce
Meaning: To publicly declare something as wrong or evil.
Example: The politician was quick to denounce the corrupt practices.

Diagnose
Meaning: To identify the nature of an illness or problem by examination.
Example: The doctor was able to diagnose the disease based on the symptoms.

Disgrace
Meaning: A loss of respect or honor.
Example: The scandal brought disgrace to the entire family.

Delightful
Meaning: Causing great pleasure; charming.
Example: The delightful weather made the picnic perfect.

Dictate
Meaning: To say or read aloud something to be written down.
Example: He would dictate letters to his assistant every morning.

Defuse
Meaning: To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.
Example: The mediator was able to defuse the situation before it escalated.

Dawn
Meaning: The first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise.
Example: They set out on their journey at dawn.

Discreet
Meaning: Careful and circumspect in one’s speech or actions.
Example: She was discreet in handling the confidential information.

Dramatize
Meaning: To exaggerate or sensationalize something.
Example: The director chose to dramatize the events for the movie.

Defeat
Meaning: To win a victory over someone in a contest or battle.
Example: The team was determined to defeat their rivals.

Distribute
Meaning: To give out something to a number of people.
Example: The relief organization distributed food to the flood victims.

Delicate
Meaning: Easily broken or damaged; fragile.
Example: The vase was made of delicate glass and had to be handled with care.

Diffuse
Meaning: To spread over a wide area or among a large number of people.
Example: The scent of flowers diffused through the garden.

Doom
Meaning: A terrible fate or destiny.
Example: The ancient city was doomed to destruction.

Demolish
Meaning: To destroy or tear down a building or structure.
Example: The old theater was demolished to make way for new apartments.

Discrepancy
Meaning: A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
Example: There was a discrepancy in the financial report.

Dilemma
Meaning: A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives.
Example: She faced a dilemma of whether to stay with her current job or take the new offer.

Damp
Meaning: Slightly wet, often in a way that is unpleasant.
Example: The basement was damp and needed to be dried out.

Dilute
Meaning: To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent.
Example: The juice was too strong, so she decided to dilute it with water.

Demand
Meaning: An insistent request made as if by right.
Example: The workers made a demand for higher wages.

Duct
Meaning: A tube or passageway in a building or machine for air, liquid, cables, etc.
Example: The air conditioning duct needed cleaning after years of use.

Derive
Meaning: To obtain something from a specified source.
Example: The word “ethics” derives from the Greek word “ethos.”

Doll
Meaning: A small model of a human figure, typically a toy for children.
Example: She bought a new doll for her daughter’s birthday.

Disguise
Meaning: To give someone or something a different appearance in order to conceal their identity.
Example: He disguised himself as a clown for the party.

Drastic
Meaning: Likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; radical and extreme.
Example: The company had to make drastic changes to avoid bankruptcy.

Draw
Meaning: To produce a picture or diagram by making lines and marks on paper.
Example: She loves to draw landscapes in her free time.

Dish
Meaning: A shallow, typically flat-bottomed container for cooking or serving food.
Example: The chef prepared a delicious pasta dish for dinner.

Donor
Meaning: A person who donates something, especially money to a fund or charity.
Example: The hospital received a large donation from an anonymous donor.

Douse
Meaning: To pour liquid over; drench.
Example: The firefighter doused the flames with water.

Deserve
Meaning: To do something or show qualities worthy of a reward or punishment.
Example: She worked hard all year and deserved a vacation.

Dreadful
Meaning: Causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad or serious.
Example: The weather was dreadful, with heavy rain and strong winds.

Drape
Meaning: To arrange cloth or clothing loosely or casually on or around something.
Example: She draped the scarf elegantly over her shoulders.

Distinguish
Meaning: To recognize or treat someone or something as different.
Example: It’s important to distinguish between fact and opinion.

Discharge
Meaning: To allow someone to leave a place or situation.
Example: The patient was discharged from the hospital after a week.

Defraud
Meaning: To illegally obtain money from someone by deception.
Example: He was charged with defrauding the company of millions of dollars.

Dissolve
Meaning: To become or cause to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.
Example: The sugar quickly dissolved in the hot tea.

Depress
Meaning: To make someone feel utterly dispirited or dejected.
Example: The gloomy weather seemed to depress everyone.

Displace
Meaning: To move something from its proper or usual position.
Example: The hurricane displaced thousands of people from their homes.

Dim
Meaning: Not bright or clear.
Example: The lights in the room were dim, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Dreary
Meaning: Dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing.
Example: The day was dreary, with grey skies and cold winds.

Drawback
Meaning: A feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage or problem.
Example: The main drawback of the new phone is its high price.

Dependable
Meaning: Trustworthy and reliable.
Example: He is a dependable friend who is always there when you need him.

Duel
Meaning: A contest with deadly weapons arranged between two people in order to settle a point of honor.
Example: The two men engaged in a duel to defend their honor.

Deride
Meaning: To express contempt for; ridicule.
Example: The critics derided the movie for its poor storyline.

Distill
Meaning: To purify a liquid by vaporizing it, then condensing it by cooling the vapor, and collecting the resulting liquid.
Example: They distilled the water to remove any impurities.

Dispose
Meaning: To get rid of something.
Example: It’s important to dispose of waste properly to protect the environment.

Dumb
Meaning: Temporarily unable or unwilling to speak.
Example: She was struck dumb with amazement when she saw the surprise.

Decorate
Meaning: To make something look more attractive by adding items to it.
Example: They decorated the room with balloons and streamers for the party.

Demon
Meaning: An evil spirit or devil, especially one thought to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell.
Example: The horror movie was about a family haunted by a demon.

Depose
Meaning: To remove from office suddenly and forcefully.
Example: The dictator was deposed by a military coup.

Decor
Meaning: The furnishing and decoration of a room.
Example: The decor of the restaurant was modern and stylish.

Delve
Meaning: To research or make inquiries into something.
Example: The journalist began to delve into the politician’s past.

Diminutive
Meaning: Extremely or unusually small.
Example: She was a diminutive woman with a powerful voice.

Deceptive
Meaning: Giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading.
Example: The calmness of the sea was deceptive, hiding the danger beneath.

Detach
Meaning: To disengage something or part of something and remove it.
Example: He detached the trailer from the car.

Dip
Meaning: To put or let something down quickly or briefly into a liquid.
Example: She dipped her toe into the water to check the temperature.

Defy
Meaning: To openly resist or refuse to obey.
Example: The protesters defied the government’s orders to disperse.

Disdain
Meaning: The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect; contempt.
Example: She looked at the messy room with disdain.

Deception
Meaning: The act of deceiving someone.
Example: His deception was uncovered when the truth came out.

Dissonant
Meaning: Lacking harmony.
Example: The dissonant chords in the music created a sense of tension.

Distract
Meaning: To prevent someone from giving full attention to something.
Example: The noise outside distracted her from her studies.

Decipher
Meaning: To convert a text written in code, or a coded signal, into normal language.
Example: They were able to decipher the ancient script.

Deprive
Meaning: To deny someone the possession or use of something.
Example: The prisoners were deprived of basic human rights.

Disregard
Meaning: To pay no attention to; ignore.
Example: She chose to disregard the warning signs and went ahead with the plan.

Dormant
Meaning: Temporarily inactive or inoperative.
Example: The volcano has been dormant for centuries but could erupt again.

Designate
Meaning: To appoint someone to a specified position.
Example: She was designated as the team leader for the project.

Dizzy
Meaning: Feeling as if everything is spinning around and that you are not able to balance and may fall over.
Example: He felt dizzy after standing up too quickly.

Destiny
Meaning: The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.
Example: She believed it was her destiny to become an artist.

Dusk
Meaning: The darker stage of twilight.
Example: They went for a walk at dusk, just as the sun was setting.

Drown
Meaning: To die through submersion in and inhalation of water.
Example: He almost drowned while swimming in the rough sea.

Dust
Meaning: Fine, dry particles of matter.
Example: The old books were covered in a thick layer of dust.

Diploma
Meaning: A certificate awarded by an educational institution to show that someone has successfully completed a course of study.
Example: She received her diploma at the graduation ceremony.

Intermediate Words That Start With D