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C2 adverb /əˈbæk/

Aback

Meaning
by surprise; unexpectedly
Example
I was taken aback by his sudden announcement.
C1 noun /bəˈtæljən/

battalion

Meaning
A large body of soldiers ready for battle, typically consisting of several companies.
Example
The battalion was deployed to the front line.
A2 noun /lʌk/

Luck

Meaning
success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions
Example
She had good luck with her job interview.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːdəˌtɔːri/

auditory

Meaning
Relating to the sense of hearing.
Example
The lecture was designed to enhance students' auditory learning skills.
B2 noun /ˌvɪz.ɪˈbɪlɪti/

visibility

Meaning
The state of being able to see or be seen; exposure or prominence.
Example
Increased visibility on social media can help businesses grow.
C2 verb /əˈleɪ/

allay

Meaning
to reduce the intensity of fear, worry, or pain; to calm
Example
The teacher tried to allay the students’ fears before the exam.
B1 noun /edʒ/

Edge

Meaning
the outside limit of an object or area; a sharp side of a blade
Example
Be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp edge of the knife.
C1 noun /ˈtreɪ.ki.ə/

Trachea

Meaning
the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs; windpipe
Example
The trachea is protected by cartilage rings that keep it open.
B2 noun ədˈvɑːns.mənt

advancement

Meaning
The process of promoting or moving forward; development or improvement in a particular area.
Example
Technological advancement shapes the future.
C2 noun /ˌɪnsjəˈlærəti/

insularity

Meaning
The state of being isolated or narrow-minded.
Example
The insularity of the group prevented them from accepting new ideas.
C1 noun ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən

degradation

Meaning
The condition or process of degrading or being degraded.
Example
Soil degradation due to overuse is a growing issue.
C2 noun /brəˈvjʊrə/

bravura

Meaning
a display of great skill and brilliance, especially in music or performance
Example
The pianist delivered a bravura performance that left the audience spellbound.
C2 noun /ˈlɪŋ.ɡwə/

lingua

Meaning
A language, especially one used for communication among people.
Example
English has become a global lingua for business and science.
B2 noun /ˈsleɪvəri/

slavery

Meaning
the system or state of being owned and forced to work for someone else
Example
Slavery was abolished in most countries in the 19th century.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪtərɛri/

literary

Meaning
concerning the writing, study, or content of literature
Example
She is a well-known figure in the literary world.
C1 verb /ˈskaʊər/

scour

Meaning
to clean or brighten the surface of something by scrubbing; to search thoroughly
Example
She scoured the kitchen until it shone.
C2 noun /ˈtɒksɪn/

tocsin

Meaning
an alarm bell or signal; a warning that something bad is about to happen
Example
The data breach sounded a tocsin for stricter security.
C2 noun /maɪˈæzmə/

miasma

Meaning
An unpleasant or unhealthy smell or atmosphere.
Example
A miasma of decay hung over the abandoned house.
B2 adjective ˈsiːm.ləs

seamless

Meaning
A process or service that works without any interruption.
Example
A seamless checkout process improves user satisfaction.
A1 adjective /oʊld/

old

Meaning
having lived for a long time; not new or young
Example
He still drives his old car.
C2 noun /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.rɪˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən/

bioremediation

Meaning
The use of living organisms to neutralize or remove environmental contaminants.
Example
Bioremediation helps remove toxins from polluted soil.
C1 noun ˈɛksəʊˌplænɪt

exoplanet

Meaning
A planet that orbits a star outside the solar system.
Example
Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets in the last decade.
B2 noun ˈbɛriəl saɪt

burial site

Meaning
A place where a dead body is buried.
Example
The burial site of the martyrs was near the riverbank.
B2 adverb /ˈæŋkʃəsli/

anxiously

Meaning
in a worried, nervous, or uneasy manner; with anxious anticipation
Example
She waited anxiously for the exam results.
B2 adjective /əˈpəʊzd/

opposed

Meaning
being against or in disagreement with something
Example
She is strongly opposed to animal testing.
B2 verb /dɪˈsiːv/

deceive

Meaning
To cause someone to believe something that is not true.
Example
He tried to deceive his friends with a fake story.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkʌmbrəns/

encumbrance

Meaning
a burden or obstacle that makes progress or movement difficult
Example
Debt can become a serious encumbrance in life.
A2 noun /bɒs/

boss

Meaning
a person who is in charge of a worker, group, or organization
Example
Her boss gave her a new project to complete.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈklɛmɛnt/

inclement

Meaning
unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy (usually weather)
Example
The match was canceled due to inclement weather.
B2 noun /ˈɡleɪʃər/

glacier

Meaning
a large mass of ice that moves slowly over land
Example
The glacier is slowly melting due to climate change.
B2 adjective; verb (past and past participle) /lɜːrnd/

learned

Meaning
having acquired much knowledge through study; gained knowledge or skill through experience or teaching
Example
She is a learned scholar with deep knowledge of history.
C2 noun /ˈtuːb.roʊz/

Tube-rose

Meaning
a night-blooming flower with an intensely sweet fragrance, native to Mexico
Example
The tuberose flowers filled the evening air with their heavenly scent.
B2 noun /loʊf/

Loaf

Meaning
a shaped mass of bread baked as a unit
Example
She bought a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery.
C2 noun /ˌsuː.pər.əˈbʌn.dəns/

superabundance

Meaning
An excessive or overflowing amount of something.
Example
The garden was filled with a superabundance of flowers.
A2 adverb /ɪˈmiːdiətli/

immediately

Meaning
at once; without delay
Example
She responded immediately to the emergency call.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnɪmˈpɔːrtənt/

unimportant

Meaning
not having much value, significance, or influence
Example
The detail seemed unimportant compared to the main issue.
B1 noun /rɪˈsɔːrs/

resource

Meaning
A supply of materials, money, or assets that can be used when needed.
Example
Water is a vital natural resource.
B2 noun /ˈruːmər/

rumor

Meaning
a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
Example
There’s a rumor that the company will merge next year.
C1 noun /prɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/

Presumption

Meaning
an idea that is taken to be true without proof
Example
There is a presumption of innocence in the legal system.
A1 noun /kʌp/

Cup

Meaning
a small, round container, typically with a handle, used for drinking tea, coffee, or other hot beverages
Example
She drank tea from her favorite ceramic cup.
C1 phrasal verb /ɡlɒs ˈoʊ.vər/

gloss over

Meaning
to avoid discussing something unpleasant or make it seem less important
Example
The report glossed over the company's financial problems.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.ə.tər/

Orator

Meaning
a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled in speaking
Example
The famous orator delivered an inspiring speech.
C2 noun /ˈɪl.i.æd/

iliad

Meaning
An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, describing the events of the Trojan War.
Example
Students studied the Iliad to understand Greek mythology and heroism.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

incapable

Meaning
lacking the ability, skill, or capacity to do something
Example
He is incapable of understanding complex instructions.
B1 adverb /ˈfʊli/

fully

Meaning
completely or entirely; to the fullest extent
Example
She is fully aware of the risks.
B1 noun /ˌvedʒəˈteəriən/

Vegetarian

Meaning
a person who does not eat meat or fish; relating to vegetarians or vegetarianism
Example
She became a vegetarian for health and environmental reasons.
C2 verb /prəˈpaʊnd/

propound

Meaning
To put forward an idea, theory, or point for consideration.
Example
The professor propounded a new theory on climate change.
B1 noun /klɑːrk/

clerk

Meaning
A person employed in an office or bank to keep records, accounts, and undertake other routine administrative duties.
Example
The clerk helped me find the correct form.
A2 noun /ˈsɒkər/

soccer

Meaning
a sport in which two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opposing goal
Example
He loves to play soccer with his friends.
B1 noun /aɪl/

aisle

Meaning
a passage between rows of seats or shelves
Example
She walked down the aisle to find her seat.
A2 conjunction /ɔːlˈðoʊ/

although

Meaning
in spite of the fact that; even though
Example
Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
B2 noun ɪnˈfleɪʃən

inflation

Meaning
A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.
Example
Inflation erodes the purchasing power of consumers.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒɪst/

dermatologist

Meaning
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin diseases.
Example
She consulted a dermatologist for her skin allergy.
B1 noun /ˈsæm.pəl/

Sample

Meaning
a small part taken as an example of the whole; a specimen
Example
The doctor took a blood sample for testing.
C2 adjective rɪˈtɛn.tɪv

retentive

Meaning
Having strong memory or the ability to retain information for a long time.
Example
Students with a retentive memory excel in academics.
A1 noun /pɪɡ/

Pig

Meaning
a domestic farm animal with a short curly tail and a flat nose
Example
The farmer fed the pig in the pen.
C2 noun /ˈteɪbər/

Tabour

Meaning
a small side drum or tambourine used especially in folk music
Example
The folk musician played a lively tune on his tabour.
C1 verb /ˈstoʊnwɔːl/

stonewall

Meaning
To delay or block progress by refusing to cooperate or answer
Example
The witness tried to stonewall during the investigation.
C2 adjective /ˈkeəwɔːn/

careworn

Meaning
Showing signs of worry, stress, or exhaustion.
Example
His careworn face revealed years of struggle.
C1 noun /poʊˈlær.ɪ.ti/

polarity

Meaning
the state of having two opposite or contradictory tendencies, opinions, or aspects
Example
The polarity between the two political parties is growing stronger.
C2 /laɪð/

lithe

Meaning
thin, supple, and graceful in movement
Example
The lithe dancer captivated the audience with her graceful spins.
B2 noun ɡrɪd

grid

Meaning
A network of interconnected lines or a system for distributing electricity over a wide area.
Example
The national power grid must be upgraded.
C2 adjective /ˈvoʊtɪv/

votive

Meaning
Offered or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow.
Example
She lit a votive candle in the church as a prayer.
A2 adjective /braɪt/

Bright

Meaning
giving out or reflecting much light; vivid in color
Example
The artist used bright colors in her painting.
B1 verb rɪˈdjuːst

reduced

Meaning
Make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
Example
Singapore has reduced plastic usage significantly.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːrdən/

cordon

Meaning
a line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards preventing access
Example
The police set up a cordon around the crime scene.
C2 noun /ˈkɒntrəriz/

contraries

Meaning
things that are completely different or opposite to each other
Example
Freedom and slavery are contraries in every sense.
B2 noun /dɪˈveləpər/

developer

Meaning
a person or company that creates software, buildings, or land projects
Example
She works as a software developer at a tech company.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/

schadenfreude

Meaning
pleasure derived from another person's misfortune
Example
He felt a sense of schadenfreude when his rival failed.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈvɪntɪdʒ/

vintage

Meaning
Relating to high quality from the past; classic; also the year of a wine harvest.
Example
She wore a vintage dress from the 1950s.
C1 noun /ˌnjʊə.roʊ.plæˈstɪs.ɪ.ti/

neuroplasticity

Meaning
The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Example
Neuroplasticity allows the brain to rewire itself after an injury.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnskrɪpt/

conscript

Meaning
to force someone into military service
Example
The government conscripted young men during the war.
C1 noun /ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm/

hedonism

Meaning
The pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence as the highest goal.
Example
The lifestyle of the rich is often criticized as pure hedonism.
B2 noun ˈkwəʊ.tə

quota

Meaning
A limited or fixed number or amount of people or things, in particular.
Example
The quota reform was a key demand.
C1 noun /ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/

herbicide

Meaning
A chemical substance used to kill unwanted plants, especially weeds.
Example
Farmers used herbicide to protect their crops from invasive weeds.
C1 verb /bɔːl/

bawl

Meaning
to shout or cry loudly
Example
The baby bawled all night, keeping everyone awake.
C1 adjective /ˈraɪ.tʃəs/

Righteous

Meaning
morally right or justifiable; virtuous; having strong moral principles
Example
She felt righteous anger at the unfair treatment of workers.
B1 adjective /ˈfriːkwənt/

Frequent

Meaning
happening often; occurring regularly; repeated
Example
He makes frequent visits to his grandmother.
C1 noun dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɪv dɪˈzizɪz

degenerative diseases

Meaning
Medical conditions that involve the deterioration or progressive decline of tissues, organs, or functions
Example
Degenerative diseases are common in an aging population.
B2 noun prəˈtæɡənɪst

protagonist

Meaning
The leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text.
Example
Charles Darnay is one of the protagonists of the story.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪ.zi/

Hazy

Meaning
covered with haze; unclear or vague; lacking clarity
Example
The mountain tops were hazy in the morning mist.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒtli/

motley

Meaning
Made up of different, often incongruous or diverse elements.
Example
The festival attracted a motley crowd of artists, musicians, and tourists.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɛfjʊtəbəl/

Irrefutable

Meaning
impossible to deny or disprove; undeniable
Example
The evidence against him was irrefutable.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈsɔːriəs/

censorious

Meaning
severely critical of others
Example
She was always censorious about her colleagues' mistakes.
C2 noun /ˈpæntəˌskoʊp/

pantoscope

Meaning
An optical instrument that provides a wide or panoramic view.
Example
The scientist used a pantoscope to observe the entire horizon.
B2 adverb /ɪkˈstɛnsɪvli/

extensively

Meaning
in a thorough or wide-ranging manner
Example
She traveled extensively across Europe for her research.
C1 verb/noun /snɑːrl/

snarl

Meaning
to growl aggressively with bared teeth; a tangle or mess
Example
The dog snarled at the stranger near the gate.
C1 adjective /dɪˈʃɛvəld/

disheveled

Meaning
Untidy, messy, or in disorder, especially of hair or clothing.
Example
He arrived with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes.
C1 noun /pəˈnæʃ/

panache

Meaning
Flamboyant confidence of style or manner; distinctive and stylish elegance.
Example
He delivered his speech with great panache.
B1 noun /kɔːr/

core

Meaning
the central or most important part of something
Example
Honesty is at the core of their values.
C1 verb /əˈbeɪt/

abate

Meaning
to become less intense or widespread
Example
The storm began to abate after midnight.
C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪzəm/

sophism

Meaning
a clever but misleading argument; fallacious reasoning
Example
The politician's speech was full of sophism designed to mislead voters.
B2 noun /ˈroʊstɪd miːt/

Roasted meat

Meaning
meat cooked by dry heat in an oven or over fire
Example
The roasted meat was perfectly seasoned and tender.
B1 noun /ˈɑp.ʃən/

Option

Meaning
a thing that is or may be chosen; an alternative course of action
Example
You have the option to work from home or office.
C2 verb /ˈdiːɪfaɪ/

deify

Meaning
to treat or worship someone or something as a god
Example
Some fans deify their favorite celebrities.
C1 noun /ˈɔːrθədɑːksi/

orthodoxy

Meaning
traditional or generally accepted beliefs and practices
Example
The religious leader defended the orthodoxy of the faith.
C2 noun /ˌædjʊˈleɪʃən/

adulation

Meaning
excessive admiration or flattery
Example
The singer enjoyed the adulation of her fans.
C1 noun/verb /freɪ/

fray

Meaning
As a noun, a fight or heated dispute; as a verb, to unravel or wear out through friction.
Example
He tried to stay calm, but his nerves began to fray during the argument.
B2 noun sɛlf rɪˈlaɪ.əns

self-reliance

Meaning
Reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others; independence.
Example
Self-reliance helps build confidence.
C2 verb /ˈdɛsɪkreɪt/

desecrate

Meaning
to treat a sacred place or object with disrespect or violation
Example
The vandals desecrated the ancient temple walls with graffiti.
C2 noun /ˈbɜːrsər/

bursar

Meaning
An official in a school or college responsible for financial affairs.
Example
The bursar approved the budget for the new library.
C2 noun /ˈpɔl.zi/

Palsy

Meaning
paralysis, especially that which is accompanied by involuntary tremors; loss of muscle control
Example
The elderly man suffered from palsy in his hands.
C1 adjective /ˈspraɪtli/

sprightly

Meaning
full of energy and life; lively
Example
The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding.
C2 adjective /ˌpəʊstˈprændɪəl/

postprandial

Meaning
Occurring after a meal.
Example
He went for a postprandial walk after dinner.
B2 adjective /ˈtɪm.ɪd/

Timid

Meaning
shy and lacking confidence; easily frightened
Example
She was too timid to speak in public.
C2 verb /dɪˈmɜːr/

demur

Meaning
to raise doubts, objections, or show reluctance
Example
She agreed to help without demur.
B2 adjective /fəˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/

Forgiving

Meaning
ready and willing to forgive; merciful; lenient
Example
She has a forgiving nature and rarely holds grudges.
C2 verb /bɪˈsmɜːrtʃ/

besmirch

Meaning
to damage someone's reputation; to make dirty or stained
Example
He tried to besmirch her good name with false rumors.
A1 verb /smaɪl/

smile

Meaning
to express happiness or friendliness by turning the corners of the mouth upwards
Example
She smiled when she saw the gift.
B1 noun /læm/

Lamb

Meaning
a young sheep; meat from a young sheep
Example
The little lamb followed its mother everywhere.
C1 adjective /əbˈzɜːrvənt/

Observant

Meaning
quick to notice things; watchful; attentive
Example
The observant detective noticed every small detail at the crime scene.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈtʌmnəl/

autumnal

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of autumn; occurring in autumn
Example
The autumnal colors of red and gold filled the forest.
B1 noun /θʌm/

Thumb

Meaning
the short thick finger of the human hand
Example
She gave me a thumbs up to show her approval.
C2 adjective /ˈstɒlɪd/

stolid

Meaning
Calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.
Example
Despite the chaos around him, he remained stolid and composed.
C2 noun /mjuːˈnɪfəsəns/

munificence

Meaning
great generosity or lavish giving
Example
The hospital was built thanks to the munificence of a wealthy donor.
C2 adjective /ˈbɔːlki/

balky

Meaning
difficult, uncooperative, or stubborn
Example
The balky printer refused to work when needed most.
C1 noun ˈɡræn.dʒər

Grandeur

Meaning
Magnificence, majesty, splendor; impressive beauty and scale.
Example
The grandeur of the Colosseum attracts millions of visitors.
B1 noun /əˈpɪn.jən/

Opinion

Meaning
a view or judgment formed about something; a belief or assessment based on grounds short of proof
Example
In my opinion, this is the best solution.
C1 noun ˌdɪdʒɪˈnɛəreɪʃən

degeneration

Meaning
The process of decline or deterioration in structure or function.
Example
The degeneration of brain cells leads to cognitive decline.
B2 adjective /ˈræp.ɪd/

Rapid

Meaning
happening in a short time or at a fast pace
Example
The rapid growth of technology has changed our daily lives.
B2 verb /skriːtʃ/

screech

Meaning
to make a loud, high-pitched and unpleasant sound
Example
The car screeched to a halt.