Word sets: Business English193 words
- breakthroughB2nounan important new discovery or success, often after a long time of trying
- rhetoricC2nounspeech or writing meant to persuade, often sounding impressive but lacking honesty or real meaning
- deltaB2nouna low, level area of land where a river splits into smaller streams before entering the sea
- seldomB2adverbnot often; almost never
- marketableC1adjectiveeasy to sell because people want it or because it has useful qualities
- plausibleC1adjectiveseeming likely to be true or reasonable
- graphicsB1nounpictures, designs and images, especially those made by a computer
- conjunctionB2nouna word such as "and" or "but" that joins words, phrases or clauses; also a combination
- overhaulC1nouna thorough check or big change of a system or machine in order to improve it
- sensorC1nouna device that notices changes such as heat, light, movement or sound and reacts to them
- doubtfulB2adjectivenot likely, or not certain to be true or to happen
- ideologicalC1adjectivebased on a particular set of political or social beliefs
- tribeB2nouna group of families who share the same language, customs and ancestors, often living in one area
- graspB2noununderstanding of a subject or situation; also a firm hold with your hand
- interactiveB2adjectiveinvolving people or things that act on each other, especially when a user can control and respond to a program
- injectionB2nounputting a drug into the body with a needle; also adding a large amount of money to something
- bracketB2nouna group of people within fixed limits of age or income; also one of a pair of marks ( ) in writing
- inappropriateB2adjectivenot suitable or acceptable for a particular situation
- outrageB2nouna strong feeling of anger and shock, or an action that causes this feeling
- hurdleB2nouna problem or difficulty that you must deal with before you can succeed
- moraleC1nounthe amount of confidence and enthusiasm that a group of people feel
- coincideB2verbto happen at the same time as something else; also (of ideas) to be the same
- commentatorB2nouna person who describes events live, or who regularly gives opinions on news and public affairs
- premierC1nounthe leader of the government in some countries, or of a state or province
- insurgencyC1nounan organized armed uprising against a government or ruling power, often using guerrilla methods
- inclineC1nouna surface that slopes up or down, such as a hill or ramp
- averseC2adjectivenot liking something or not wanting to do it
- nominationB2nounthe act of officially suggesting someone for a job, position or prize
- enlargeB2verbto make something bigger in size, amount or scale
- fairnessB2nounthe quality of treating people equally and according to what is right
- locallyB2adverbin or near the area where you live or the place being talked about
- dependencyC1nouna state of needing something or someone, especially a drug, in order to live normally
- externalityC1nouna cost or benefit of an activity that falls on other people, not on those who do it
- helicopterB2nounan aircraft with large spinning blades on top that can rise straight up and stay still in the air
- disruptB2verbto stop something from continuing normally by causing problems
- confidentialB2adjectivemeant to be kept secret and shared only with certain people
- slotB1nouna time or place in a plan or schedule for something; also a narrow opening for a coin or card
- perpetualC1adjectivecontinuing for a very long time without stopping or changing
- mildB1adjectivenot strong, serious or extreme; also not too hot, cold or spicy
- rationB1nouna fixed amount of food or supplies that each person is allowed, especially when there is a shortage
- miniB2adjectivemuch smaller than others of the same kind
- inabilityC1nounthe fact of not being able to do something
- discriminateB2verbto treat people unfairly because of their race, sex, age or religion; also to notice differences between things
- analyticsC1nounthe use of computer methods to study large amounts of data and find useful patterns
- proliferationC2nouna sudden, fast increase in the number or amount of something
- autonomousC2adjectiveable to govern or control itself; also able to work by itself without a person controlling it
- proneC2adjectivelikely to suffer from something or to do something, usually something bad
- disruptionB2nouna situation in which something is interrupted or cannot continue in the normal way
- drawbackC1nouna disadvantage or problem that makes something less attractive or useful
- inefficiencyC1nounfailure to use time, money or effort well, so that some is wasted
- relieveB2verbto make pain, worry or a problem less strong or less serious
- downgradeB2verbto move someone or something to a lower level, grade or importance
- ideologyB2nouna set of beliefs and ideas, especially about politics and society, that a group follows
- greenhouseB1nouna building made mostly of glass where plants are grown in a warm, protected place
- pleadB2verbto ask for something in a very emotional or urgent way, or to state in court if you are guilty
- openlyB2adverbin an honest way, without hiding your feelings or opinions
- elasticC1adjectiveable to stretch and then go back to its usual shape
- oustC1verbto force someone out of a job or position of power
- spiteB2nounthe feeling of wanting to hurt or upset someone, often after they have upset you
- thoroughB1adjectivedone carefully and completely, with attention to every detail
- forbiddenB1adjectivenot allowed, especially by a rule or law
- entrantC1nouna person or company that has just joined a market, competition or group
- underwriterC1nouna person or company that decides whether to insure something and the price, or that guarantees share sales
- cattleB1nouncows and bulls kept on a farm for meat or milk
- overtimeB2nountime you work beyond your normal hours, or the extra money paid for it
- newcomerB1nouna person who has recently arrived in a place or started a job or activity
- prolongC2verbto make something last longer
- salvageC1verbto save something, such as a plan, deal or reputation, that is in danger of failing
- appropriatelyB2adverbin a way that is right or suitable for a particular situation
- accusationB2nouna statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal
- entrepreneurialC1adjectivehaving the skills and courage to start new businesses and take financial risks
- devaluationC1nounan official decision to lower the value of a country's money compared with other currencies
- outlayC1nounan amount of money spent on something, especially to start a business or project
- simulateC1verbto copy how something real looks or works, often with a computer, in order to study or practice it
- continentalB2adjectiverelating to a continent, or to the main part of a continent
- preciousB1adjectivevery valuable or important, and not to be wasted or lost
- differentiationC1nounthe process of seeing or showing the differences between things, or of making something different
- restrictiveC1adjectivelimiting what people can do or have; stopping freedom
- deedB1nounan action, especially a brave, kind or evil one; also a legal paper proving ownership
- competentB2adjectivehaving enough skill or knowledge to do something well or to the required standard
- mechanicalB1adjectiveconnected with machines or engines; also done without thinking, like a machine
- nationwideB2adjectivehappening or existing in every part of a country
- occasionalB2adjectivehappening sometimes, but not often or regularly
- nominateB2verbto officially suggest a person for a job, prize or election
- sovereigntyC1nounthe full right and power of a country to govern itself without control from outside
- asylumC1nounprotection that a country gives to someone who has escaped danger or persecution in their own country
- isolationB2nounthe state of being alone or apart from other people or things
- circulateC1verbto move around continuously, like blood or air; also to pass information from person to person
- overstateC1verbto describe something as bigger or more important than it really is
- partitionC1nounthe division of a country or area into separate parts, or a wall that divides a room
- hypotheticalC1adjectiveimagined as a possible situation rather than real
- depriveC1verbto take something important away from someone, or stop them from having it
- homeownerB2nouna person who owns the house or apartment they live in
- investigatorB2nouna person whose job is to find out the facts about a crime, accident or problem
- explosiveB2nouna substance that can blow up and cause damage, used in bombs or mining
- tacticalC2adjectivedone as part of a careful plan to get a particular result, especially in politics, sport or war
- psychologyB2nounthe study of the mind and how it affects behavior; also the way a person or group thinks
- reapC1verbto get something good, such as profit or a reward, as a result of your work
- disposableB2adjectivemade to be thrown away after one use or after a short time
- arbitrationC1nouna way of settling a dispute in which an independent person or panel decides the outcome
- furnishB1verbto put furniture in a room or house; to provide something needed
- boycottB2verbto refuse to buy, use or take part in something as a protest
- gloomyB2adjectivedark and gray; also sad and without hope
- unpredictableB1adjectivechanging often, so that you cannot say what will happen next
- worthwhileB2adjectivegood enough to deserve the time, money or effort you spend on it
- consecutiveC1adjectivefollowing one after another without a break
- accumulationC1nounthe gradual gathering of a large amount of something over time
- disastrousB2adjectivecausing great damage, failure or suffering
- dissidentB2nouna person who publicly disagrees with and criticizes their government, often at great risk
- tremendousB2adjectivevery great in amount, size or level; also extremely good
- prototypeC1nounthe first model of a new machine or product, made to test it before making more
- defensiveB2adjectiveprotecting against attack; or anxious and quick to justify yourself when you feel criticized
- communismB2nouna political and economic system in which property is owned by the community and the state controls the economy
- unpaidB2adjectivenot receiving money for work, or not yet paid, as a bill or debt
- drainB2verbto let liquid flow away from something, or (of liquid) to flow away
- frustrationB2nounthe annoyed feeling you get when you cannot do or change what you want
- mentorB2nounan experienced person who gives advice and help to someone younger or less experienced
- departB1verbto leave a place, especially at the start of a journey
- undervalueB2verbto think or say that something or someone is worth less or less important than they really are
- diligenceB1nouncareful and steady hard work, with attention to detail
- suspiciousB2adjectivethinking that someone has done something wrong, or seeming strange and not honest
- outweighB1verbto be more important or larger than something else when you compare them
- reminderB2nounsomething that makes you remember a thing, or a message that tells you what to do
- yearlyB1adjectivehappening once every year, or calculated over one year
- undoubtedlyB2adverbused to say that something is certainly true and nobody can doubt it
- compositeC1adjectivemade of several different parts or materials
- specialtyB2nouna type of food a place is famous for; also the area of work someone knows most about
- ideallyB2adverbin the best possible situation; also perfectly
- casualB1adjectiverelaxed and informal; not formal, serious or carefully planned
- transitC1nounthe journey of people or goods between places, or, in American English, the buses and trains a city provides
- meantimeB2nounthe time between now and a later event, while you wait for something else to happen
- ratifyC1verbto approve an agreement officially so that it becomes legally valid
- healthcareB2nounthe services and care that keep people healthy or treat them when they are ill
- eventualB2adjectivehappening at the end of a period of time or a series of events
- vagueB2adjectivenot clear or detailed, so it is difficult to understand, remember or see exactly
- correspondentB2nouna journalist who reports on a particular subject or from a particular country
- doomB2nouna terrible fate or future event, especially death or destruction, that cannot be avoided
- rageB2nounvery strong anger that is difficult to control
- mythB1nounan idea that many people believe but that is not true; also an ancient traditional story
- syntheticC1adjectivemade by people using chemicals, not from natural materials
- inspectB2verbto look at something carefully to check it is correct or in good condition
- outbreakB2nounthe sudden start of a disease, war or violence
- deficiencyC1nouna lack of something that is needed, such as a vitamin; also a weakness or fault
- imbalanceC1nouna situation in which things are not equal, fair or in the right proportion
- bolsterC1verbto make something stronger or more likely to succeed
- constructiveB2adjectiveuseful and helpful, because it aims to improve something rather than just criticize it
- laserB2nouna narrow, very strong beam of light, used in machines, medicine and lighting
- smuggleB2verbto take goods or people into or out of a country illegally and secretly
- loopB2nouna shape made by a line that curves around and crosses or meets itself
- proclaimB1verbto announce something publicly and officially, or to state it very clearly
- deleteB1verbto remove or erase something, especially text or data on a computer
- disableB1verbto stop a machine, feature or system from working, or to make a person unable to move normally
- commenceC1verbto begin, used in formal writing and official announcements
- skepticC1nouna person who doubts that something is true or good until they see proof
- bounceB2nounthe movement of something springing back after hitting a surface; also a quick rise after a fall
- defectiveB2adjectivehaving a fault or flaw, so that it does not work or is not made correctly
- reformerB2nouna person who works to change and improve a system, law or institution
- endorsementC1nounpublic support for someone or something; also a deal in which a famous person promotes a product
- unwillingB2adjectivenot wanting to do something, especially because you disagree or are afraid
- cheaplyB1adverbat a low price or cost
- enrichC1verbto make something better, fuller or more valuable by adding something to it
- propC1nounan object used by actors in a play or film; also, something that holds something else up
- depositorC1nouna person who puts money into a bank account
- cargoB2noungoods carried by a ship, plane, train or truck
- cloutC1nounpower and influence, especially in politics or business
- thumbB1nounthe short, thick finger on the side of your hand, set apart from the other four
- authorizationB2nounofficial permission to do something, or the act of giving that permission
- facultyB2nouna university department or its teaching staff; also a natural ability, such as hearing or thinking
- decreeC1nounan official order from a government or ruler that has the force of law
- collectivelyC1adverball together as a group, rather than as separate individuals
- conspiracyB2nouna secret plan by a group of people to do something harmful or illegal
- dioxideB1nouna chemical with two oxygen atoms joined to another atom, as in the gas CO2
- enhancementC1nouna change that makes something better, stronger or more useful
- decentralizeC2verbto move power or control away from one central place and give it to smaller local groups
- explodeB2verbto burst loudly and violently, or to suddenly show strong feeling or fast growth
- pensionerB2nouna person who receives a pension, usually because they are old and no longer work
- unauthorizedB2adjectivedone or used without official permission
- pinB2nouna thin piece of metal for fastening things, a small badge, or a secret number for a card
- aluminumB2nouna light silver-colored metal used to make cans, foil and window frames
- presumeC1verbto believe that something is true without having proof, because it seems likely
- prudentC1adjectivecareful and sensible, especially when making decisions about money or risk
- dispatchC1verbto send someone or something to a place quickly for a particular purpose
- censusC1nounan official count of the people living in a country or area, with details about them
- vowB2verbto make a serious promise to do something or to act in a certain way
- ineffectiveB2adjectivenot producing the result you want
- adequatelyB2adverbwell enough or in a large enough amount for a particular need
- prosperB2verbto become successful, especially by making money
- devastateB1verbto destroy a place completely, or to make someone feel extremely shocked and sad
- testimonyB2nouna formal statement about what someone saw or knows, especially one made in a court
- manipulationC1nounthe act of controlling or influencing people or facts in a clever, unfair or dishonest way
- cooperativeB2adjectivewilling to help and work together with other people; also done by people working together
- streamlineC1verbto make a system or process simpler and more efficient by removing unnecessary steps
- rigidB2adjectivestiff and hard to bend, or not willing to change
Word list: Business Service List 1.2 (Browne & Culligan), CC BY-SA 4.0. Only words with a full Gloss page are included, in the list’s order.