C1 Advanced (CAE) Vocabulary List with Examples

amass verbC1

To gather a large amount of something over time.

Over forty years the collector amassed thousands of rare vinyl records.

envisage verbC1

To imagine or expect something as a likely future possibility.

We envisage that the new garden will be used by pupils and residents alike.

implore verbC1

To beg someone urgently and emotionally to do something.

In her closing remarks, she implored the delegates not to abandon the treaty.

instigate verbC1

To cause a process or event to begin.

The new manager instigated a thorough review of safety procedures.

rescind verbC1

To revoke, cancel or repeal a law, order or agreement.

The board voted to rescind the controversial bonus scheme.

wane verbC1

To decrease gradually in strength, size, or importance.

Public interest in the scandal began to wane after a few weeks.

ambivalence nounC1

The state of having mixed or contradictory feelings about something or someone.

Her ambivalence about the move showed in the way she kept unpacking and repacking the same box.

anathema nounC2

Something or someone that one strongly dislikes or finds utterly unacceptable.

Any compromise on safety standards was anathema to the chief engineer.

antipathy nounC1

A deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion.

There was a barely concealed antipathy between the two rival directors.

decadence nounC1

Moral or cultural decline marked by excessive indulgence in pleasure.

The banquet's gold-leaf desserts became a symbol of the elite's decadence.

decorum nounC1

Behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety.

Even in defeat he kept a strict decorum.

inadequacy nounC1

The state of not being good enough or sufficient for a purpose.

The report highlighted the inadequacy of public transport in rural areas.

malaise nounC1

A general, hard-to-pin-down feeling of unease, discomfort, or low spirits.

A vague malaise had followed her since the new year, though nothing in particular was wrong.

revulsion nounC1

A sense of disgust and loathing.

He felt a wave of revulsion reading the details of the case.

trepidation nounB2

A trembling feeling of fear about what may happen.

He opened the exam results with real trepidation.

wherewithal nounC2

The money or resources needed for a particular purpose.

The club simply lacked the financial wherewithal to sign a new striker.

zeitgeist nounC1

The defining spirit or mood of a period.

The film perfectly caught the zeitgeist of the decade.

banal adjectiveC1

So lacking in originality as to be boring and predictable.

The film's dialogue was so banal that the audience began to laugh in the wrong places.

cathartic adjectiveC1

Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions.

Writing about the loss proved unexpectedly cathartic for her.

disarming adjectiveC1

Having a charm or frankness that dispels hostility or suspicion.

Her disarming honesty about her own mistakes won the room over at once.

emotive adjectiveC1

Arousing or intended to arouse strong feeling.

Editors replaced the emotive headline with something more neutral.

enthralled adjectiveC1

Captivated and held completely by interest or delight.

The audience sat enthralled as the storyteller reached the final twist.

forthright adjectiveC1

Direct and outspoken, without evasion or reservation.

She was refreshingly forthright about her reasons for resigning.

haphazard adjectiveC1

Lacking any obvious order, plan, or principle.

Files were stored in such a haphazard way that nothing could be found.

immeasurable adjectiveC2

Too large or extreme to be measured.

Her contribution to the charity has been of immeasurable value.

incensed adjectiveC1

Extremely angry and outraged.

Residents were incensed to learn the park would be sold to developers.

incisive adjectiveC1

Sharp, penetrating and clear in thought or expression.

A few incisive questions exposed the weakness of her argument.

inconspicuous adjectiveC2

Not attracting attention or easily noticed.

He tried to remain inconspicuous by sitting at the back of the hall.

indecisive adjectiveC1

Unable to make decisions quickly or effectively.

The manager was criticised for being indecisive during the crisis.

indignant adjectiveC1

Feeling or showing anger at something perceived as unfair.

Residents were indignant at the suggestion that they had caused the flooding.

indisputable adjectiveC1

Too obviously true to be questioned.

It is indisputable that regular exercise benefits both physical and mental health.

inhospitable adjectiveC1

Of an environment, harsh and difficult to live in.

Few species can survive in such an inhospitable climate.

intractable adjectiveC1

Hard to control, manage or solve.

Youth unemployment remained an intractable problem no policy seemed to shift.

irrefutable adjectiveC1

Impossible to deny or disprove.

The DNA match provided irrefutable proof of the link.

lethargic adjectiveC1

Lacking energy or enthusiasm; sluggish.

The heatwave left everyone in the office feeling lethargic by mid-afternoon.

nonchalant adjectiveC1

Appearing calm and relaxed, without showing concern or interest.

He tried to look nonchalant as he waited for his exam results.

parched adjectiveC1

Dried out by heat and lack of rain.

After three rainless months the fields were parched and cracked.

presumptuous adjectiveC1

Overstepping the bounds of what is permitted or appropriate through excessive self-assurance.

It seemed presumptuous to book the restaurant before she had even accepted the invitation.

raucous adjectiveC1

Making or constituting a harsh, loud and disturbing noise.

The raucous cries of gulls drowned out the waves.

unrivalled adjectiveC2

Better than anyone or anything else of the same kind.

The hotel offers unrivalled views across the bay.