200+ Intermediate English Vocabulary

Intermediate English Vocabulary

Intermediate English generally refers to a level where you can understand and use common everyday language, but might still struggle with more complex grammar and vocabulary.

List of Intermediate English vocabulary

Intermediate English vocabulary with meaning and example

Abandon

• Meaning: To leave something or someone behind
• Example: The soldiers had to abandon their post due to the approaching storm.

Abundant

• Meaning: Present in large quantities
• Example: The garden was abundant with colorful flowers in the spring.

Adapt

• Meaning: To adjust to new conditions
• Example: Animals need to adapt to their environment to survive.

Adverse

• Meaning: Preventing success or development; harmful
• Example: The adverse weather conditions caused the event to be postponed.

Aggravate

• Meaning: To make a situation worse
• Example: Scratching the mosquito bite will only aggravate the itching.

Ambiguous

• Meaning: Open to more than one interpretation
• Example: Her statement was ambiguous and left everyone confused about her intentions.

Anxious

• Meaning: Experiencing worry or unease
• Example: She felt anxious before her job interview.

Apprehensive

• Meaning: Fearful or anxious about the future
• Example: He was apprehensive about starting a new school.

Astonish

• Meaning: To surprise or impress greatly
• Example: The magician’s tricks astonished the audience.

Beneficial

• Meaning: Producing good or helpful results
• Example: Regular exercise is beneficial to your health.

Bizarre

• Meaning: Very strange or unusual
• Example: His bizarre behavior made everyone at the party uncomfortable.

Candid

• Meaning: Truthful and straightforward
• Example: The photographer took some candid shots at the wedding.

Capable

• Meaning: Having the ability to do something
• Example: She is capable of solving the most difficult math problems.

Cautious

• Meaning: Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers
• Example: He was cautious when walking on the icy sidewalk.

Cease

• Meaning: To stop
• Example: The company decided to cease operations in the area.

Coherent

• Meaning: Logical and consistent
• Example: Her argument was clear and coherent, convincing everyone in the room.

Commence

• Meaning: To begin
• Example: The ceremony will commence at noon.

Complicate

• Meaning: To make something more difficult
• Example: The new rules will only complicate the process further.

Contribute

• Meaning: To give in order to help achieve something
• Example: Many people contributed to the charity fundraiser.

Conclude

• Meaning: To bring to an end
• Example: The meeting concluded with a brief summary of the decisions made.

Conform

• Meaning: To comply with rules, standards, or laws
• Example: Students are expected to conform to the school’s dress code.

Consistent

• Meaning: Always behaving in the same way
• Example: She has been consistent in her efforts to improve her grades.

Convince

• Meaning: To persuade someone to do or believe something
• Example: He managed to convince his parents to let him go on the trip.

Cumbersome

• Meaning: Large or heavy and difficult to carry
• Example: The box was cumbersome, making it hard to move.

Deficient

• Meaning: Not having enough of a specified quality
• Example: The diet is deficient in important vitamins.

Deliberate

• Meaning: Done consciously and intentionally
• Example: He made a deliberate attempt to ignore her.

Denounce

• Meaning: Publicly declare to be wrong or evil
• Example: The government denounced the actions of the rebel group.

Depress

• Meaning: To make someone feel utterly dispirited
• Example: The gloomy weather tends to depress me.

Desolate

• Meaning: Deserted and lonely
• Example: The desolate landscape was devoid of life.

Diligent

• Meaning: Having or showing care in one’s work
• Example: She was diligent in her studies, always completing her homework on time.

Discreet

• Meaning: Careful and circumspect in one’s actions
• Example: He was discreet about the confidential information.

Distinct

• Meaning: Recognizably different in nature
• Example: There was a distinct smell of gas in the room.

Eloquent

• Meaning: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing
• Example: The speaker gave an eloquent speech that moved the audience.

Endorse

• Meaning: To support or approve publicly
• Example: Many celebrities endorse this brand of shampoo.

Engaging

• Meaning: Charming and attractive
• Example: The book was so engaging that I read it in one sitting.

Envious

• Meaning: Feeling or showing envy
• Example: She was envious of her friend’s success.

Evaluate

• Meaning: To judge or determine the significance of something
• Example: The teacher will evaluate the students’ projects next week.

Exhaust

• Meaning: To tire out completely
• Example: The marathon exhausted all the runners.

Exquisite

• Meaning: Extremely beautiful and delicate
• Example: The bride wore an exquisite lace gown.

Fluctuate

• Meaning: To rise and fall irregularly
• Example: The temperature can fluctuate dramatically from day to night.

Formulate

• Meaning: To create or devise methodically
• Example: Scientists formulate hypotheses based on their observations.

Fragile

• Meaning: Easily broken or damaged
• Example: Handle the glass vase with care; it is very fragile.

Futile

• Meaning: Incapable of producing any useful result
• Example: All their efforts to save the company were futile.

Grasp

• Meaning: To seize and hold firmly
• Example: She tried to grasp the concept but found it too difficult.

Habitual

• Meaning: Done or doing constantly as a habit
• Example: He is a habitual latecomer.

Hesitate

• Meaning: To pause before saying or doing something
• Example: She hesitated for a moment before answering.

Imply

• Meaning: To suggest without explicitly stating
• Example: His tone implied that he was not happy with the decision.

Inadequate

• Meaning: Lacking the quality or quantity required
• Example: The funds were inadequate to complete the project.

Incline

• Meaning: To feel willing or favorably disposed towards an action
• Example: I am inclined to agree with your opinion.

Indicate

• Meaning: To point out or show
• Example: The signs indicate the direction to the nearest hospital.

Influence

• Meaning: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something
• Example: His leadership had a positive influence on the team.

Ingenious

• Meaning: Clever, original, and inventive
• Example: Her ingenious solution to the problem was highly appreciated.

Inquire

• Meaning: To ask for information
• Example: I will inquire about the availability of the book.

Intimidate

• Meaning: To frighten or overawe someone
• Example: The size of the opponent did not intimidate her.

Intricate

• Meaning: Very complicated or detailed
• Example: The design on the tapestry is very intricate.

Irrelevant

• Meaning: Not connected with or relevant to something
• Example: His comments were irrelevant to the discussion.

Justify

• Meaning: To show or prove to be right or reasonable
• Example: She tried to justify her actions to the manager.

Maintain

• Meaning: To keep in existence or continuance
• Example: It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Modify

• Meaning: To make partial changes to something
• Example: We need to modify the design to meet the client’s needs.

Neglect

• Meaning: Fail to care for properly
• Example: He was accused of neglecting his duties.

Obscure

• Meaning: Not clearly expressed or easily understood
• Example: The meaning of the poem is obscure to many readers.

Obtain

• Meaning: To get or acquire something
• Example: She managed to obtain a rare book for her collection.

Opt

• Meaning: To choose from a range of possibilities
• Example: He decided to opt for the vegetarian meal.

Outrage

• Meaning: An extremely strong reaction of anger or shock
• Example: The decision to cut funding led to public outrage.

Persuade

• Meaning: To convince someone to do or believe something
• Example: She managed to persuade him to attend the event.

Precise

• Meaning: Marked by exactness and accuracy
• Example: The scientist provided a precise measurement of the chemicals.

Predominant

• Meaning: Present as the strongest or main element
• Example: The predominant color in the painting is blue.

Profound

• Meaning: Very great or intense
• Example: The speech had a profound impact on everyone.

Prohibit

• Meaning: To formally forbid something
• Example: Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings.

Prosper

• Meaning: To succeed or flourish
• Example: The company is expected to prosper in the new market.

Provoke

• Meaning: To stimulate or incite to action
• Example: His comments provoked a strong reaction from the audience.

Pursue

• Meaning: To follow or chase in order to catch
• Example: She decided to pursue a career in medicine.

React

• Meaning: To respond to something
• Example: He didn’t know how to react to the unexpected news.

Reflect

• Meaning: To think deeply or carefully about something
• Example: She needed time to reflect on her decision.

Regret

• Meaning: To feel sad or disappointed over something that has happened
• Example: He regretted not taking the opportunity when he had the chance.

Reluctant

• Meaning: Unwilling or hesitant
• Example: She was reluctant to speak in front of a large audience.

Resilient

• Meaning: Able to recover quickly from difficulties
• Example: The community proved to be resilient after the natural disaster.

Resist

• Meaning: To withstand or oppose something
• Example: She tried to resist the temptation to eat the chocolate cake.

Revise

• Meaning: To review and make changes to something
• Example: The author had to revise the manuscript before submitting it.

Sufficient

• Meaning: Adequate quantity or quality
• Example: The food supplies were sufficient to last for a week.

Substantial

• Meaning: Of considerable importance, size, or worth
• Example: They made a substantial investment in the new technology.

Superficial

• Meaning: Existing or occurring at or on the surface; shallow
• Example: Her knowledge of the subject was only superficial.

Surpass

• Meaning: To exceed or go beyond
• Example: The new product’s sales figures surpassed all expectations.

Symbolic

• Meaning: Serving as a symbol of something
• Example: The dove is symbolic of peace.

Tactile

• Meaning: Related to the sense of touch
• Example: The tactile quality of the fabric was very soft and pleasant.

Theoretical

• Meaning: Concerned with or involving theories rather than practical application
• Example: The theoretical concepts were discussed in the lecture.

Tolerate

• Meaning: To allow the existence of something without interference
• Example: He could not tolerate any form of dishonesty.

Transform

• Meaning: To make a thorough or dramatic change in form, appearance, or character
• Example: The renovation will transform the old building into a modern office space.

Ultimate

• Meaning: Being or happening at the end of a process; final
• Example: Winning the championship was the ultimate goal for the team.

Vivid

• Meaning: Producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind
• Example: The artist’s painting was so vivid it seemed to come alive.

Volatile

• Meaning: Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse
• Example: The stock market is often volatile, making investments risky.

Warrant

• Meaning: To justify or necessitate a particular course of action
• Example: His actions did not warrant such severe punishment.

Withstand

• Meaning: To remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist
• Example: The bridge was designed to withstand strong earthquakes.

Zealous

• Meaning: Having or showing zeal; enthusiastic and eager
• Example: The volunteers were zealous in their efforts to clean up the park.

Accumulate

• Meaning: To gather or collect a large amount of something
• Example: Over the years, he managed to accumulate a vast collection of antiques.

Adaptable

• Meaning: Able to adjust to new conditions
• Example: The adaptable nature of the software allows it to be customized for various uses.

Affluent

• Meaning: Having a great deal of money; wealthy
• Example: The affluent neighborhood was known for its luxurious homes.

Ambivalent

• Meaning: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something
• Example: She felt ambivalent about moving to a new city; excited yet nervous.

Apparent

• Meaning: Clearly visible or understood; obvious
• Example: The benefits of the new policy were apparent within a few weeks.

Articulate

• Meaning: Able to express ideas clearly and effectively
• Example: The speaker was articulate and made complex topics easy to understand.

Assert

• Meaning: To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully
• Example: He asserted his right to speak at the meeting.

Benefactor

• Meaning: A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause
• Example: The local library received a generous donation from a benefactor.

Collaborate

• Meaning: To work together on a project or task
• Example: The two companies decided to collaborate on developing new technology.

Comprehensive

• Meaning: Including all or nearly all elements or aspects
• Example: The report provided a comprehensive analysis of the market trends.

Compel

• Meaning: To force or drive someone to do something
• Example: The evidence was so convincing it compelled the jury to return a guilty verdict.

Conducive

• Meaning: Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible
• Example: A quiet environment is conducive to studying effectively.

Contend

• Meaning: To assert or maintain something in the face of opposition
• Example: The lawyer contended that her client was innocent of the charges.

Convey

• Meaning: To communicate or make known
• Example: The letter did not adequately convey the urgency of the situation.

Deficit

• Meaning: The amount by which something is too small; a shortfall
• Example: The company reported a significant deficit in its budget.

Delegate

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

Derive

• Meaning: To obtain something from a specified source
• Example: The company derives its revenue from various business activities.

Devise

• Meaning: To plan or invent by careful thought
• Example: They devised a strategy to improve sales performance.

Discrepancy

• Meaning: A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts
• Example: There was a discrepancy between the two reports that needed to be resolved.

Diverse

• Meaning: Showing a great deal of variety
• Example: The university has a diverse student population.

Emerge

• Meaning: To come into view or become apparent
• Example: New technologies continue to emerge in the field of medicine.

Entail

• Meaning: To involve something as a necessary or inevitable part
• Example: The project will entail a lot of work and dedication.

Equivalent

• Meaning: Equal in value, amount, or meaning
• Example: The two job offers are equivalent in terms of salary and benefits.

Fabricate

• Meaning: To invent or concoct something, typically with deceitful intent
• Example: The witness was accused of fabricating the story.

Feasible

• Meaning: Possible and practical to do easily or conveniently
• Example: The proposed plan is not only feasible but also cost-effective.

Formidable

• Meaning: Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large or powerful
• Example: The team faced a formidable opponent in the final match.

Fortify

• Meaning: To strengthen or secure
• Example: The soldiers worked to fortify the castle walls.

Grievance

• Meaning: A real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint or protest
• Example: The workers filed a grievance against the company for unfair treatment.

Hypothetical

• Meaning: Based on or serving as a hypothesis
• Example: The professor presented a hypothetical scenario for the students to analyze.

Illustrate

• Meaning: To explain or make something clear by using examples, charts, or pictures
• Example: The teacher used diagrams to illustrate the complex concept.

Implicit

• Meaning: Implied though not plainly expressed
• Example: His smile implied his implicit approval of the plan.

Incentive

• Meaning: A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something
• Example: The company offers bonuses as an incentive for reaching sales targets.

Inhibit

• Meaning: To hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process
• Example: The cold weather can inhibit plant growth.

Integrate

• Meaning: To combine one thing with another to form a whole
• Example: The new policy aims to integrate technology into the classroom.

Intervene

• Meaning: To come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events
• Example: The mediator intervened to help resolve the dispute.

Irreversible

• Meaning: Not able to be undone or altered
• Example: The damage caused by the fire was irreversible.

Liaison

• Meaning: Communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations
• Example: The project manager served as a liaison between the client and the development team.

Manipulate

• Meaning: To handle or control something in a skillful manner
• Example: The scientist manipulated the variables to test the hypothesis.

Mediator

• Meaning: A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement
• Example: The mediator helped the two parties reach a compromise.

Noteworthy

• Meaning: Worth paying attention to; significant
• Example: The artist’s latest exhibition is particularly noteworthy.

Obligate

• Meaning: To bind or compel someone, especially legally or morally
• Example: The contract obligates the company to deliver the goods by the end of the month.

Perceive

• Meaning: To become aware or conscious of something
• Example: He could perceive the slight change in her tone.

Postulate

• Meaning: To suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of something as a basis for reasoning
• Example: The theory postulates that all living things are made up of cells.

Predicate

• Meaning: To base something on a particular fact or belief
• Example: The company’s success is predicated on its innovative approach to marketing.

Rational

• Meaning: Based on or in accordance with reason or logic
• Example: She made a rational decision after considering all the facts.

Reconcile

• Meaning: To restore friendly relations between
• Example: The two friends were finally able to reconcile their differences.

Redundant

• Meaning: Not or no longer needed or useful
• Example: The company made several positions redundant due to budget cuts.

Resolve

• Meaning: To settle or find a solution to a problem or dispute
• Example: They were able to resolve their conflict through negotiation.

Reinforce

• Meaning: To strengthen or support, especially with additional material
• Example: The wall was reinforced with steel beams.

Scrutinize

• Meaning: To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly
• Example: The accountant scrutinized the financial records for any discrepancies.

Subordinate

• Meaning: Lower in rank or position
• Example: The subordinate officers were responsible for executing the orders given by their superiors.

Surrogate

• Meaning: A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role
• Example: She acted as a surrogate mother for her sister.

Tangible

• Meaning: Perceptible by touch; clear and definite
• Example: The benefits of the new policy are tangible and measurable.

Transmit

• Meaning: To send or convey something from one person or place to another
• Example: The radio tower transmits signals across the region.

Unveil

• Meaning: To reveal or disclose something, especially by removing a covering
• Example: The company plans to unveil its new product at the trade show.

Validate

• Meaning: To confirm or prove the accuracy of something
• Example: The scientist needed to validate her results before publishing the paper.

Vocation

• Meaning: A person’s employment or main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring dedication
• Example: Teaching is not just a job, it’s a vocation for many educators.

Yield

• Meaning: To produce or provide something
• Example: The apple trees yield a large amount of fruit every season.

Acknowledge

• Meaning: To accept or admit the existence or truth of something
• Example: She refused to acknowledge her mistakes.

Allocate

• Meaning: To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose
• Example: The manager decided to allocate more funds to the marketing department.

Appraise

• Meaning: To assess the value or quality of something
• Example: The jeweler appraised the diamond at a high value.

Blunder

• Meaning: A stupid or careless mistake
• Example: The rookie’s blunder cost the team the game.

Clarify

• Meaning: To make something clear or easier to understand
• Example: Could you clarify your last statement?

Dispute

• Meaning: A disagreement or argument
• Example: The two countries are in a dispute over the border.

Elaborate

• Meaning: To explain in more detail
• Example: Can you elaborate on your plan for the project?

Exclude

• Meaning: To deny someone access to or bar someone from a place, group, or privilege
• Example: The policy excludes anyone under 18 from entering the club.

Facilitate

• Meaning: To make an action or process easier
• Example: The new software will facilitate online learning.

Formalize

• Meaning: To give something a definite structure or form
• Example: The two companies formalized their partnership with a contract.

Highlight

• Meaning: To emphasize something important
• Example: The report highlights the need for immediate action.

Impose

• Meaning: To force something to be accepted or put in place
• Example: The government decided to impose new regulations on the industry.

Infer

• Meaning: To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements
• Example: From the evidence, we can infer that the suspect was at the scene of the crime.

Interact

• Meaning: To communicate or work together
• Example: The students interact well with each other in group activities.

Investigate

• Meaning: To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an issue
• Example: The detective was called in to investigate the case.

Merge

• Meaning: To combine or cause to combine to form a single entity
• Example: The two companies decided to merge to create a stronger organization.

Negotiate

• Meaning: To try to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion
• Example: The union is negotiating a new contract for its members.

Overcome

• Meaning: To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty
• Example: She managed to overcome all obstacles to achieve her goal.

Plausible

• Meaning: Seeming reasonable or probable
• Example: Her explanation was plausible, but I still had my doubts.

Prioritize

• Meaning: To designate or treat something as more important than other things
• Example: You need to prioritize your tasks to manage your time better.

Reciprocate

• Meaning: To respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one
• Example: He decided to reciprocate her kindness with a gift.

Reiterate

• Meaning: To say something again or a number of times for emphasis or clarity
• Example: The teacher reiterated the important points of the lesson.

Retain

• Meaning: To continue to have something; keep possession of
• Example: It’s important to retain the receipts for your records.

Synthesize

• Meaning: To combine a number of things into a coherent whole
• Example: The researcher synthesized information from various sources to form a comprehensive report.

Uncover

• Meaning: To discover something previously hidden or unknown
• Example: The investigation uncovered new evidence.

Absolve

• Meaning: To declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility
• Example: The court absolved him of all charges.

Augment

• Meaning: To make something greater by adding to it; increase
• Example: She took on extra work to augment her income.

Compensate

• Meaning: To give someone something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury
• Example: The company compensated the employee for the overtime work.

Derivative

• Meaning: Imitative of the work of another person, and usually disapproved of for that reason
• Example: The artist’s new work is derivative of his earlier pieces.

Emphasize

• Meaning: To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing
• Example: The report emphasizes the need for more research.

Leverage

• Meaning: To use something to maximum advantage
• Example: The company leverages its strong brand to gain market share.

Moderate

• Meaning: To make or become less extreme, intense, or violent
• Example: The committee will moderate the discussion to ensure it stays on topic.

Paradox

• Meaning: A statement that contradicts itself but might be true
• Example: It’s a paradox that in such a rich country, many people are still living in poverty.

Precede

• Meaning: To come before something in time
• Example: The meeting will precede the conference.

Reassess

• Meaning: To consider or assess something again, especially in light of new information
• Example: We need to reassess our strategy based on the new data.

Refrain

• Meaning: To stop oneself from doing something
• Example: Please refrain from smoking in this area.

Relinquish

• Meaning: To voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up
• Example: He relinquished his position as CEO.

Specify

• Meaning: To identify clearly and definitely
• Example: The instructions specify how to assemble the furniture.

Systematic

• Meaning: Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical
• Example: The investigation was systematic and thorough.

Terminate

• Meaning: To bring to an end
• Example: The contract was terminated due to non-compliance.

Thrive

• Meaning: To grow or develop well or vigorously
• Example: The plants thrived in the rich soil.

Transcend

• Meaning: To go beyond the range or limits of something
• Example: His performance transcended all expectations.

Unify

• Meaning: To make or become united, uniform, or whole
• Example: The leader’s goal was to unify the divided country.

Utilitarian

• Meaning: Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive
• Example: The building has a utilitarian design.

Verify

• Meaning: To make sure or demonstrate that something is true, accurate, or justified
• Example: The results need to be verified by an independent source.

Vindicate

• Meaning: To clear someone of blame or suspicion
• Example: The new evidence vindicated the accused.

Advocate

• Meaning: To publicly recommend or support
• Example: She advocates for equal rights in the workplace.

Encompass

• Meaning: To include comprehensively
• Example: The course will encompass various aspects of science.

Exceed

• Meaning: To be greater in number or size than a quantity, number, or other measurable thing
• Example: The final bill exceeded our expectations.

Perceptive

• Meaning: Having or showing sensitive insight
• Example: Her perceptive comments revealed her deep understanding of the issue.

Presume

• Meaning: To suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability
• Example: I presume you’re here to discuss the new project.

Elucidate

• Meaning: To make something clear; explain
• Example: The professor elucidated the complex theory during the lecture.

Generate

• Meaning: To produce or create something
• Example: The wind turbines generate electricity for the city.

Hypothesize

• Meaning: To put forward a hypothesis
• Example: The scientist hypothesized that the new drug would be effective.

Mediate

• Meaning: To intervene between people in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement
• Example: The diplomat mediated the peace talks.

Substantiate

• Meaning: To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something
• Example: The lawyer needed to substantiate her client’s claims.

Approximate

• Meaning: Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact
• Example: The approximate cost of the project is $1 million.

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