CEFR Level
to extract metal from its ore by heating and melting
"The workers smelt iron from its ore in the factory."
to smile in a self-satisfied, smug, or silly way
"He smirked when he won the argument."
to burn slowly with smoke but no flame; to show suppressed anger or emotion
"The fire smoldered for hours before it went out."
to kill someone by covering their nose and mouth to prevent breathing; to cover something completely; to overwhelm with excessive attention or affection
"She smothered the fire with a blanket."
a dirty mark or smear; to make something dirty or unclear by rubbing or touching
"She accidentally smudged her lipstick on the napkin."
having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements
"He wore a smug smile after winning the debate."
a trap for catching animals; to catch or trap
"The hunter set a snare to catch rabbits."
to growl aggressively with bared teeth; a tangle or mess
"The dog snarled at the stranger near the gate."
to smile or speak in a mocking or contemptuous way
"She sneered at his attempt to sing."
to laugh quietly in a disrespectful or mocking way
"The students snickered when the teacher made a mistake."
mocking or insulting in an indirect way
"He couldn’t resist making a snide comment about her dress."
to cut something quickly with scissors or a sharp tool
"She snipped the loose thread from her dress."
having or showing the attitude of people who think they are better than others
"She seemed snobbish because she avoided talking to the waiters."
to insult or ignore someone by treating them rudely
"He felt hurt when his invitation was snubbed."
the state of being sober; self-restraint and seriousness
"He has maintained his sobriety for five years."
The quality or state of being sociable; friendliness.
"Her sociability made her popular in the office."
Relating to society or social relationships.
"Societal benefits of space tourism are under debate."
Advancement in both social and economic conditions of a society or community.
"Socioeconomic progress uplifts marginalized communities."
Combining social and political factors.
"Sociopolitical factors often influence public policy decisions."
a soft, silver-white chemical element that is highly reactive and found in salt.
"Sodium is an essential element for maintaining fluid balance in the body."
The application of operations, practices, and treatments to protect soil and enhance its performance.
"Proper soil management improves long-term agricultural productivity."
dirty or stained; not clean
"His clothes were soiled after playing in the mud."
Comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
"She found solace in music after the loss of her father."
To join metal parts together by melting and putting a filler metal into the joint
"He soldered the broken wires back together."
the state or quality of being serious and dignified
"The ceremony was conducted with great solemnity."
to ask for or try to obtain something from someone
"The charity is soliciting donations for flood victims."
To make something firm, strong, or more certain.
"The company solidified its position in the market."
a speech in which a character talks to themselves, often used in drama to reveal inner thoughts
"Hamlet's soliloquy is one of the most famous passages in Shakespearean drama."
the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator (summer and winter solstice)
"People celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and rituals."
The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
"The solubility of salt in water is high."
able to be dissolved, especially in water
"Sugar is soluble in water."
The possession of assets in excess of liabilities; ability to pay debts.
"The company's solvency determines its financial health."
a liquid that dissolves other substances; also means able to pay debts
"Acetone is a common solvent used in laboratories."
Dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy or serious.
"The funeral had a somber atmosphere."
A musical composition for one or more instruments, typically in several movements.
"She performed a beautiful Beethoven sonata on the piano."
Relating to or involving sound waves or speed of sound.
"The jet created a loud boom when it broke the sonic barrier."
A poem of 14 lines using formal rhyme schemes, often about love.
"Shakespeare wrote many famous sonnets about love and beauty."
Deep, full, and rich in sound.
"The actor's sonorous voice filled the entire theater."
to make something more complex or refined; to educate or develop in taste and manners
"Traveling abroad helped sophisticate his worldview."
the quality of being refined, cultured, or complex
"Her sophistication impressed everyone at the party."
the highest female or boy’s singing voice
"She sang beautifully in the soprano range during the concert."
the use of magical powers, especially through spells and enchantments
"The villagers believed the illness was caused by sorcery."
involving immoral or dishonorable actions; dirty or unpleasant
"The newspaper exposed the politician's sordid past."
impervious to sound; preventing sound from entering or leaving
"The recording studio has sound-proof walls."
a supreme ruler such as a king; possessing supreme or ultimate power
"The sovereign made a new decree."
Supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself.
"The country declared its sovereignty after years of colonial rule."
A learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals to improve long-term retention.
"Spaced repetition helps in long-term memory retention."
Using or giving only a little of something; economical.
"She is sparing in her use of words."
thinly scattered or distributed; not dense or abundant
"Vegetation was sparse in the desert."
showing simplicity and lack of luxury; austere
"He lived in a spartan room with just a bed and a chair."
