Vocabulary

  • such as: For example; like
  • in the news: Being widely reported in the media.
  • condemned to: To be destined for a particular fate, usually negative.
  • trade off: Exchange that occurs as a compromise
  • talking about: To discuss a particular topic.
  • argue against: To present reasons or evidence to oppose a particular idea, plan, or action.
  • as soon as: In a short time after (something happens)
  • show up: To arrive or be seen at a place, e.g. a party
  • based on: To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
  • turn to: To go to someone for help, advice, or information.
  • in fact: Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
  • prior to: Before a particular time or event.
  • other than: Except for; apart from.
  • come up with: To think of an idea or solution; produce
  • of course: Sure ; Certainly
  • acquire knowledge: To gain knowledge or skills through learning or experience.
  • rather than: More exactly; more correctly
  • know about: To have information or understanding of a subject or situation.
  • in power: Having control of a country or organization.
  • at the same time: Simultaneously; at the identical moment.
  • same time: Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
  • no laughing matter: Something serious that should not be treated humorously.
  • second nature: A behavior that has become automatic or habitual.
  • lead to: To result in some action
  • carve out: To create or obtain something through effort or skill.
  • as one: Acting or moving together at the same time.
  • used to: Did regularly before, but don't do now
  • flaw in: A defect or imperfection in something.
  • genetic information: Hereditary information encoded in the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of an organism.
  • common: Area in a city or town that is open to everyone
  • flaw: Quality that makes something imperfect
  • current: Electricity flowing through wires
  • fundamental: Forming a necessary part, base, or core
  • authority: The power to give orders to people
  • reality: What is true, as opposed to what is imagined
  • challenge: An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
  • political: Being active or interested in government matters
  • faith: Belief in a god or gods; religion
  • resist: To not be affected by e.g. a force or an effect
  • regime: A system of management; a form of government
  • democracy: System of government in which everyone is equal
  • settle: To make (a child, etc.) feel calm/ready for sleep
  • risk: To do something potentially dangerous or foolish
  • democratic: (Of government) giving the people power, a vote
  • reason: To think and make conclusions in a logical manner
  • silence: State of being quiet and not talking for a time
  • evaluate: To form an idea to judge something carefully
  • flourish: To show and direct attention by waving something
  • lapse: (Of license, etc.) to stop being valid; expire
  • illustrate: To supply pictures to go along with words
  • expose: To make visible, without covering or protection
  • undermine: To weaken or destroy secretly and usually slowly
  • revolution: When a group overthrows an existing government
  • enlightenment: State of having a lot of knowledge and wisdom
  • commencement: Time at which something begins
  • prior: Existing or coming earlier in time
  • naked: Not wearing any clothes; without covering
  • withstand: To remain unaffected by something or someone
  • constitution: Statement of fundamental principles of a country
  • allow: To admit the validity or truth of something
  • century: Period of 100 years
  • speech: A formal talk to an audience
  • traditional: Involved in a custom or event common to a people
  • subjective: Using personal feelings and opinions not facts
  • carve: To cut a piece of cooked meat into thin slices
  • petty: Small and unimportant; small-minded
  • exile: State of being forced to leave your country
  • amendment: A change, addition, or improvement to something
  • revolve: To move something in a circular motion
  • dogma: Firm set of beliefs held by a group
  • know: To be familiar with a person or place, thing
  • proclaim: To indicate or show something clearly
  • emperor: Man who rules an empire
  • tyranny: Cruel government by a ruler who has complete power
  • exploitation: Abuse of, or selfish behavior towards someone
  • human: A person; a man, woman or child
  • world: All the humans, events, activities on the earth
  • knowledge: Information, understanding, or skill
  • brute: Man who is extremely violent or mean
  • wrestling: To fight someone by holding parts of their body
  • answer: To reply to a question someone asks
  • nature: Person's character or particular way of behaving
  • jail: Place to hold criminals being punished for a crime
  • dissent: Difference of opinion; a disagreement
  • treason: Crime of trying to overthrow your own government
  • mayhem: Scene or situation that involves much violence
  • massacre: Killing of a large number of people
  • coin: A small, flat piece of metal used as money
  • call: A order or request for action
  • portrayed: To play a character in theater or on film
  • tyrannical: Forcing people to do what you want, as by threats
  • holocaust: Act of mass destruction and loss of life in a war
  • understanding: To know the meaning of language, what someone says
  • lax: Not careful about your work or attitudes; sloppy
  • conjecture: Forming an opinion/conclusion with little evidence
  • foundational: Being the base or important starting point
Placeholder Image

    Preparing usage notes, please check back later

  • not found vocabularyNo vocabulary matches your filters
    • acquire knowledge

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • To gain knowledge or skills through learning or experience.
      B1
      More
    • amendment

      US /əˈmɛndmənt/

      UK /əˈmendmənt/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A change, addition, or improvement to something
      B1
      More
    • argue against

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To present reasons or evidence to oppose a particular idea, plan, or action.
      B1
      More
    • as one

      US

      UK

      • Adverb
      • Acting or moving together at the same time.
      • In complete agreement or unity.
      • Phrase
      • With a single voice or opinion; unanimously.
      • In perfect harmony or unison.
      A1
      More
    • as soon as

      US /æz sun æz/

      UK /æz su:n æz/

      • Phrase
      • In a short time after (something happens)
      • Without any delay; immediately
      • Conjunction
      • At the moment that, or immediately after.
      A1
      More
    • at the same time

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Simultaneously; at the identical moment.
      • Nevertheless; however; used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement.
      A1
      More
    • authority

      US /əˈθɔrɪti, əˈθɑr-, ɔˈθɔr-, ɔˈθɑr-/

      UK /ɔ:ˈθɒrəti/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • The power to give orders to people
      • Person who is an expert on a particular topic
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • based on

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
      • Preposition
      • Using something as the main idea or foundation.
      • Relying on something as evidence or justification.
      A1
      More
    • brute

      US /brut/

      UK /bru:t/

      • Noun
      • Man who is extremely violent or mean
      B1
      More
    • carve

      US /kɑ:rv/

      UK /kɑ:v/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To cut a piece of cooked meat into thin slices
      • To make a cut in, e.g. to write your name on tree
      B1
      More
    • carve out

      US /kɑrv aʊt/

      UK /kɑ:v aut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To create or obtain something through effort or skill.
      • To separate or isolate something from a larger whole.
      C2
      More
    • challenge

      US /ˈtʃæləndʒ/

      UK /'tʃælɪndʒ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
      • Act of formally inviting someone to compete
      • Transitive Verb
      • To formally invite someone to compete at something
      • To question the correctness of something
      A2
      More
    • come up with

      US /kʌm ʌp wɪð/

      UK /kʌm ʌp wið/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To think of an idea or solution; produce
      A1
      More
    • commencement

      US /kəˈmɛnsmənt/

      UK /kəˈmensmənt/

      • Noun
      • Time at which something begins
      B1
      More
    • condemned to

      US

      UK

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To be destined for a particular fate, usually negative.
      • To be sentenced to a particular punishment.
      C2
      More
    • conjecture

      US /kənˈdʒɛktʃɚ/

      UK /kən'dʒektʃə(r)/

      • Noun
      • Forming an opinion/conclusion with little evidence
      C1
      More
    • constitution

      US /ˌkɑnstɪˈtuʃən, -ˈtju-/

      UK /ˌkɔnstiˈtju:ʃən/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Statement of fundamental principles of a country
      • Condition of your health
      B1
      More
    • current

      US /ˈkɚrənt, ˈkʌr-/

      UK /'kʌrənt/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Electricity flowing through wires
      • Movement of water in a river, or air in the sky
      • Adjective
      • Happening or being in the present time
      • In general use or accepted by most people.
      A2
      More
    • democracy

      US /dɪˈmɑkrəsi/

      UK /dɪ'mɒkrəsɪ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • System of government in which everyone is equal
      • Principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a society.
      B1
      More
    • democratic

      US /ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk/

      UK /ˌdeməˈkrætɪk/

      • Adjective
      • (Of government) giving the people power, a vote
      • Based on the principle that all members have equal rights.
      B2
      More
    • dissent

      US /dɪˈsɛnt/

      UK /dɪ'sent/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Difference of opinion; a disagreement
      • Intransitive Verb
      • To differ in opinion
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • dogma

      US /ˈdɔɡmə, ˈdɑɡ-/

      UK /'dɒɡmə/

      • Noun
      • Firm set of beliefs held by a group
      C1
      More
    • emperor

      US /ˈɛmpəɚ/

      UK /'empərə(r)/

      • Noun
      • Man who rules an empire
      B1
      More
    • enlightenment

      US /ɛnˈlaɪtn:mənt/

      UK /ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • State of having a lot of knowledge and wisdom
      • The state of having knowledge or understanding; the act of giving someone knowledge or understanding.
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • evaluate

      US /ɪˈvæljuˌet/

      UK /ɪˈvæljueɪt/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To form an idea to judge something carefully
      • To calculate or work out the value or amount of something.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • exile

      US /ˈɛɡˌzaɪl, ˈɛkˌsaɪl/

      UK /'eksaɪl/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • State of being forced to leave your country
      • Transitive Verb
      • One forced to leave their home and live elsewhere
      B2
      More
    • exploitation

      US /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteʃən/

      UK /ˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃn/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Abuse of, or selfish behavior towards someone
      • Making full use of the qualities of something
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • expose

      US /ɪkˈspoʊz/

      UK /ɪk'spəʊz/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To make visible, without covering or protection
      • To allow light through a cameras lens onto film
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • faith

      US /feθ/

      UK /feɪθ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Belief in a god or gods; religion
      • Belief that that something is true without proof
      • Proper Noun
      • Person's name
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • flaw

      US /flɔ/

      UK /flɔ:/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Quality that makes something imperfect
      • A weakness or undesirable quality.
      • Transitive Verb
      • To impair, damage, or spoil.
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • flaw in

      US

      UK

      • Noun
      • A defect or imperfection in something.
      • A weakness or error in an argument or reasoning.
      More
    • flourish

      US /ˈflɚrɪʃ, ˈflʌr-/

      UK /'flʌrɪʃ/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To show and direct attention by waving something
      • To add a fancy addition or decoration
      • Noun
      • Fancy addition or decoration
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • foundational

      US /faʊn'deɪʃənəl/

      UK /faʊn'deɪʃənəl/

      • Adjective
      • Being the base or important starting point
      C1
      More
    • fundamental

      US /ˌfʌndəˈmɛntl/

      UK /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/

      • Adjective
      • Forming a necessary part, base, or core
      • Of central importance.
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A basic part of something
      • (Music) the lowest note in a harmony
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • genetic information

      US /dʒəˈnɛtɪk ˌɪnfɚˈmeʃən/

      UK /dʒiˈnetik ˌɪnfəˈmeiʃən/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Hereditary information encoded in the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of an organism.
      More
    • illustrate

      US /ˈɪləˌstret, ɪˈlʌsˌtret/

      UK /ˈɪləstreɪt/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To supply pictures to go along with words
      • To be an example that explains or proves something
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • in fact

      US /ɪn fækt/

      UK /in fækt/

      • Adverb
      • Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
      • Used to introduce a more detailed or surprising piece of information.
      • Phrase
      • Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that is surprising or contrary to what might be expected.
      C1
      More
    • in power

      US /ɪn ˈpaʊɚ/

      UK /in ˈpauə/

      • Adjective
      • Having control of a country or organization.
      • Phrase
      • During a period of holding authority or control.
      B1
      More
    • in the news

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Being widely reported in the media.
      A1
      More
    • jail

      US /dʒel/

      UK /dʒeɪl/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Place to hold criminals being punished for a crime
      • Transitive Verb
      • To hold people who are being punished for a crime
      B1
      More
    • know about

      US /noʊ əˈbaʊt/

      UK /nəʊ əˈbaut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To have information or understanding of a subject or situation.
      More
    • lapse

      US /læps/

      UK /læps/

      • Intransitive Verb
      • (Of license, etc.) to stop being valid; expire
      • Noun
      • Mistake or error; halt, e.g. in concentration
      B2
      More
    • lax

      US /læks/

      UK /læks/

      • Adjective
      • Not careful about your work or attitudes; sloppy
      C1
      More
    • lead to

      US /lid tu/

      UK /li:d tu:/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To result in some action
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To have something as a consequence or result.
      A1
      More
    • massacre

      US /ˈmæsəkɚ/

      UK /'mæsəkə(r)/

      • Noun
      • Killing of a large number of people
      • Transitive Verb
      • To kill a large number of people
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • mayhem

      US /ˈmeˌhɛm/

      UK /ˈmeɪhem/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Scene or situation that involves much violence
      C1
      More
    • naked

      US /ˈnekɪd/

      UK /ˈneɪkɪd/

      • Adjective
      • Not wearing any clothes; without covering
      B1
      More
    • no laughing matter

      US /no ˈlæfɪŋ ˈmætɚ/

      UK /nəʊ ˈlɑ:fɪŋ ˈmætə/

      • other
      • Something serious that should not be treated humorously.
      B2
      More
    • of course

      US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/

      UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/

      • Adverb
      • Sure ; Certainly
      • Phrase
      • For sure; certainly
      A2
      More
    • other than

      US

      UK

      • Preposition
      • Except for; apart from.
      • Conjunction
      • Different from.
      A1
      More
    • petty

      US /ˈpɛti/

      UK /ˈpeti/

      • Adjective
      • Small and unimportant; small-minded
      B2
      More
    • political

      US /pəˈlɪtɪkəl/

      UK /pəˈlɪtɪkl/

      • Adjective
      • Being active or interested in government matters
      • Diplomatic
      A2
      More
    • portrayed

      US /pɔrˈtreɪd/

      UK /pɔrˈtreɪd/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To play a character in theater or on film
      • To represent something for artistic purposes
      B2
      More
    • prior

      US /ˈpraɪɚ/

      UK /'praɪə(r)/

      • Adjective
      • Existing or coming earlier in time
      • (Of a claim, etc.) more important than another one
      • Noun
      • Monk or priest in charge of a monastery
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • prior to

      US /ˈpraɪɚ tu/

      UK /ˈpraiə tu:/

      • Preposition
      • Before a particular time or event.
      C1
      More
    • proclaim

      US /proˈklem, prə-/

      UK /prə'kleɪm/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To indicate or show something clearly
      B2
      More
    • rather than

      US

      UK

      • Adverb
      • More exactly; more correctly
      • Preferably; instead
      • Preposition
      • Instead of
      A1
      More
    • reality

      US /riˈælɪti/

      UK /rɪ'ælətɪ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • What is true, as opposed to what is imagined
      • The state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined.
      A2
      More
    • regime

      US /reˈʒim, rɪ-/

      UK /reɪˈʒi:m/

      • Noun
      • A system of management; a form of government
      B1
      More
    • resist

      US /rɪˈzɪst/

      UK /rɪ'zɪst/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To not be affected by e.g. a force or an effect
      • To fight or prevent something from happening
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • revolution

      US /ˌrɛvəˈluʃən/

      UK /ˌrevə'lu:ʃn/

      • Noun
      • When a group overthrows an existing government
      • Sudden or significant change in something
      B1
      More
    • revolve

      US /rɪˈvɑ:lv/

      UK /rɪˈvɒlv/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To move something in a circular motion
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • same time

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
      • At the identical time as before; recurring at a fixed hour.
      • Noun
      • An equal duration or period.
      A1
      More
    • second nature

      US /ˈsɛkənd ˈnetʃɚ/

      UK /ˈsekənd ˈneitʃə/

      • Noun
      • A behavior that has become automatic or habitual.
      A2
      More
    • settle

      US /ˈsɛtl/

      UK /'setl/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To make (a child, etc.) feel calm/ready for sleep
      • To complete or finalize e.g. a contract or debt
      • Intransitive Verb
      • To become accustomed to a new environment
      • (Of liquids) to move to the bottom of a container
      A2
      More
    • show up

      US /ʃo ʌp/

      UK /ʃəu ʌp/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To arrive or be seen at a place, e.g. a party
      • To be noticeably better than (someone else)
      A1
      More
    • silence

      US /ˈsaɪləns/

      UK /'saɪləns/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • State of being quiet and not talking for a time
      • When there is not sound or noise; complete quiet
      • Transitive Verb
      • To stop the noise that something is making
      • To prevent someone from expressing thoughts
      A2
      More
    • speech

      US /spitʃ/

      UK /spi:tʃ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • A formal talk to an audience
      • Expression of ideas or opinions by talking
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • subjective

      US /səbˈdʒɛktɪv/

      UK /səbˈdʒektɪv/

      • Adjective
      • Using personal feelings and opinions not facts
      C1
      More
    • such as

      US /sʌtʃ æz/

      UK /sʌtʃ æz/

      • Preposition
      • For example; like
      A1
      More
    • talking about

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To discuss a particular topic.
      • To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
      A1
      More
    • trade off

      US /treid ɔf/

      UK /treid ɔf/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Exchange that occurs as a compromise
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To accept that you cannot have everything you want and give up something that is less important so that you can have what is more important.
      • To balance two opposing situations or qualities; to compromise.
      C2
      More
    • traditional

      US /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

      UK /trəˈdɪʃənl/

      • Adjective
      • Involved in a custom or event common to a people
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • treason

      US /ˈtrizən/

      UK /ˈtri:zn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Crime of trying to overthrow your own government
      B2
      More
    • turn to

      US /tɚn tu/

      UK /tə:n tu:/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To go to someone for help, advice, or information.
      • To start doing or using something, often something bad or undesirable.
      A1
      More
    • tyrannical

      US /tɪˈrænɪkəl, taɪ-/

      UK /tɪˈrænɪkl/

      • Adjective
      • Forcing people to do what you want, as by threats
      C1
      More
    • tyranny

      US /ˈtɪrəni/

      UK /'tɪrənɪ/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Cruel government by a ruler who has complete power
      B2
      More
    • undermine

      US /ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/

      UK /ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To weaken or destroy secretly and usually slowly
      • To excavate the foundation or supporting material of (a building, cliff, etc.).
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • used to

      US /juzd tu/

      UK /ˈju:st tə/

      • Adjective
      • Did regularly before, but don't do now
      • Auxiliary Verb
      • Have done before, but do not do now
      A1
      More
    • withstand

      US /wɪθˈstænd, wɪð-/

      UK /wɪðˈstænd/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To remain unaffected by something or someone
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • wrestling

      US /ˈrɛslɪŋ/

      UK /ˈreslɪŋ/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To fight someone by holding parts of their body
      • To struggle with a problem
      B2
      More
    Video not in English?
    Video not in English?

    Get the full experience in the app

    Learn anywhere with detailed sentence and usage analysis

    preview
    01:03

    She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.

    Vocabulary
    • brave

      adj. Having courage

    • comfort zone

      phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe

    Explanation
    a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step". forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead". The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.

    Get the full experience in the app

    Look up words anytime with pronunciation, part of speech, and usage

    preview

    brave

    US/brev/
    UK/breɪv/
    adj.Brave
    v.t.To bravely face
    A2 Elementary

    Get the full experience in the app

    Practice speaking anytime and get instant pronunciation feedback

    preview

    Try this speaking exercise.

    Try practicing with this sentence.

    80
    B2
    #free speech#speech#knowledge#emperor#regime#satire

    Steven Pinker's "Why free speech is fundamental"

    0
    Amy.Lin posted on 2017/03/21
    Ever wondered why free speech is so crucial? Dive into Steven Pinker's powerful argument, exploring its roots in the Enlightenment and its connection to satire and cultural debates, while picking up some seriously advanced vocabulary along the way!

    Learn this video on the APP!

    The VoiceTube App has more in-depth practice for videos!

    Recommended Videos

    Auto Next Video

    Footer

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

    About

    • About Us
    • Our Learning Services
    • Join Us
    • FAQ
    • Hot Tags

    Services

    • Pronunciation Challenge
    • Saved
    • Search Vocabulary
    • Blog

    Channels

    Levels

    • A1
    • A2
    • B1
    • B2
    • C1
    • C2

    Privacy˙Terms˙
    ©2026 VoiceTube Corporation. All rights reserved