C1–C2 Advanced English Vocabulary: 25 words with examples
C1–C225 words
Explore nuanced words used in argument, analysis and formal writing. Compare the meanings carefully and check which contexts fit each word.
Where you will use it: Advanced reading, analysis and formal discussion.
C1–C2 Advanced English Vocabulary — The word list
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ambiguous | Having more than one possible meaning.“The instructions were ambiguous.” |
| coherent | Logical and clearly connected.“She presented a coherent argument.” |
| compelling | Strong enough to hold attention or convince.“The evidence is compelling.” |
| concede | To admit a point is true despite disagreement.“He conceded that the plan was costly.” |
| conundrum | A difficult and confusing problem.“The policy presents a conundrum.” |
| corroborate | To support a statement with further evidence.“Two witnesses corroborated her account.” |
| discrepancy | A difference between things that should agree.“We found a discrepancy in the totals.” |
| elucidate | To explain something clearly.“The diagram elucidates the process.” |
| exacerbate | To make a problem worse.“Delays exacerbate the shortage.” |
| feasible | Possible and practical to carry out.“The proposal is financially feasible.” |
| implicit | Suggested without being stated directly.“There was an implicit warning in her reply.” |
| inadvertent | Not intended or deliberate.“The omission was inadvertent.” |
| meticulous | Very careful about small details.“She keeps meticulous records.” |
| mitigate | To make something less severe.“Trees help mitigate urban heat.” |
| nuance | A subtle difference in meaning or expression.“Translation can lose a nuance.” |
| plausible | Seeming reasonable or likely to be true.“That is a plausible explanation.” |
| pragmatic | Focused on practical solutions.“We took a pragmatic approach.” |
| preclude | To prevent something from being possible.“The rules preclude early access.” |
| profound | Very deep or significant.“The discovery had a profound impact.” |
| reconcile | To make conflicting ideas compatible.“We must reconcile the two accounts.” |
| refute | To show a claim is wrong using evidence.“The study refutes that assumption.” |
| robust | Strong and able to withstand difficulty.“We need a robust method.” |
| scrutinize | To examine very closely.“Auditors scrutinize every payment.” |
| substantiate | To provide evidence for a claim.“Can you substantiate that allegation?” |
| underpin | To form the supporting basis of something.“Trust underpins the partnership.” |
Useful learning tips
- Learn in small groupsTake five words at a time and review them before adding more.
- Say the examples aloudReading each sentence aloud connects spelling, sound and meaning.
- Write your own sentenceUse each word in a true sentence about your life or work.
How to study this list
Add five or six of these words a day rather than the whole list at once, keep the example sentence on the card, and review them when they come due. WordNest schedules each word across seven growing intervals — same day, then 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days — so the list is still with you months later. Read how spaced repetition works if you want the reasoning behind those numbers.
Studying c1–c2 advanced english vocabulary pairs well with our GRE Vocabulary and Academic Word List, or browse all free English word lists.
Related guides
Questions about this list
How can I practise C1–C2 Advanced English Vocabulary?
Start with five words and say each example aloud. Then recall the word from its meaning and review it over several days.
Where can I use C1–C2 Advanced English Vocabulary?
Advanced reading, analysis and formal discussion.
How many words are in this list?
This list contains 25 English words with definitions and example sentences. It is a starting set, not a complete syllabus.
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