aboveboard
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C2 adjective, adverb /əˈbʌvˌbɔːrd/

aboveboard

Meaning
Open and honest; without deception or trickery.
Example
The business deal was completely aboveboard.
B1 noun /tʃiːk/

Cheek

Meaning
either side of the face below the eye; impudent or disrespectful behavior
Example
The baby's rosy cheeks showed she was healthy and happy.
B1 noun /prəʊ/

pro

Meaning
a professional, especially in sports; or a person who is in favor of something
Example
He plays tennis like a pro.
B2 verb /bɪˈtreɪ/

betray

Meaning
to be disloyal to; to reveal secrets
Example
He felt betrayed by his closest friend.
C1 adjective /əˈpriː.ʃə.bəl/

Appreciable

Meaning
noticeable; significant; considerable in amount
Example
There was an appreciable improvement in his test scores.
C1 noun /ˈæmplɪtjuːd/

amplitude

Meaning
the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, or the size of something
Example
The amplitude of the earthquake was measured on the Richter scale.
A1 noun /ˈdɒlər/

dollar

Meaning
The basic monetary unit of the United States and some other countries
Example
I need five dollars to buy this book.
C2 noun /əˈbaɪdəns/

abidance

Meaning
the act of following, accepting, or complying with something
Example
Her abidance by the rules impressed the committee.
C1 adjective /ˌʌn.əˈdʌl.tə.reɪ.tɪd/

Unadulterated

Meaning
not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; pure
Example
She felt unadulterated joy when she heard the news.
C1 adjective /bəˈlɪdʒ.ər.ənt/

belligerent

Meaning
Hostile and aggressive, ready to fight or argue.
Example
His belligerent attitude often leads to conflicts.
B1 noun /kəˈrɛkʃən/

correction

Meaning
the action or process of correcting something
Example
The teacher made a correction to the student's essay.
A2 noun /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/

invitation

Meaning
a written or spoken request to attend an event or to participate in something
Example
She sent me an invitation to her wedding.
C1 noun /hoʊks/

Hoax

Meaning
a humorous or malicious deception; something intended to trick or deceive people
Example
The news about aliens landing turned out to be an elaborate hoax created by pranksters.
B1 noun /slaɪd/

Slide

Meaning
a smooth surface for sliding down; a piece of playground equipment
Example
The children enjoyed playing on the slide at the park.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkuːθ/

uncouth

Meaning
Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace; awkward or rough.
Example
His uncouth behavior shocked the guests at the party.
A1 noun /ˈbɒdi/

body

Meaning
the physical structure of a person or animal
Example
Exercise helps keep the body healthy.
C1 adjective, verb (past tense/participle of mire) /ˈmaɪərd/

mired

Meaning
Trapped or entangled in something, typically a difficult situation.
Example
The politician was mired in scandal.
B2 noun /ˈkæriər/

carrier

Meaning
A person or thing that carries, transports, or conveys something; also an organization that provides transport services.
Example
The airline is the largest carrier in the country.
C1 adjective /sɔɪld/

soiled

Meaning
dirty or stained; not clean
Example
His clothes were soiled after playing in the mud.
C2 verb /ˈfɛtər/

fetter

Meaning
to restrain or restrict someone’s freedom
Example
The strict rules fettered the creativity of the students.
C1 adjective ˈmær.ɪ.taɪm

Maritime

Meaning
Connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.
Example
Maritime trade enhances the economy.
A1 verb /muːv/

move

Meaning
to change position; to go from one place to another; to relocate
Example
They decided to move to a bigger house.
B2 verb /poʊz/

pose

Meaning
To assume a particular position, especially for a photograph or display; to present a problem or question.
Example
She posed for a picture in front of the monument.
B2 noun ˈlɒŋ tɜːm ˈmɛm.ər.i

Long-term memory

Meaning
Such memory that remains stored in the brain for a long time
Example
Repeated practice helps transfer information into long-term memory.
B2 verb /rɪˈvaɪv/

revive

Meaning
To bring back to life, consciousness, or activity.
Example
The paramedics managed to revive the unconscious man.
B2 adjective /dɪˈstɜː.bɪŋ/

disturbing

Meaning
causing anxiety, worry, or emotional distress
Example
The news about the accident was deeply disturbing.
B2 noun /ˈmʌð.ər.lænd/

Motherland

Meaning
the country where one was born or has citizenship; homeland
Example
He always spoke fondly of his motherland.
C1 adjective /ˈtæksɪŋ/

taxing

Meaning
Requiring a lot of effort; physically or mentally demanding.
Example
Preparing for the exam was a taxing experience.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɔːdjʊlənt/

fraudulent

Meaning
Involving or using deceit, especially criminal deception.
Example
He was arrested for making fraudulent insurance claims.
B2 noun /ɪnˈhæbɪtənt/

inhabitant

Meaning
a person or animal that lives in a particular place
Example
The inhabitants of the village rely on farming for their livelihood.
A2 verb /sɔːrt/

sort

Meaning
to arrange or categorize something
Example
Please sort the files by date.
A2 noun /dʒiːnz/

jeans

Meaning
pants made of denim fabric, often blue, worn as casual clothing
Example
He bought a new pair of blue jeans yesterday.
C2 verb /ɪˈdjuːs/

educe

Meaning
To draw out or bring forth something latent or hidden.
Example
The teacher tried to educe a response from the shy student.
B1 adjective /ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl/

electrical

Meaning
related to electricity or the use of electrical power
Example
The electrical system in the house needs repair.
B2 noun /ˈækni/

acne

Meaning
a skin condition in which pores become inflamed and clogged, causing pimples and spots
Example
Regular cleansing and a balanced diet can help reduce acne.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪn.ju.əns/

continuance

Meaning
the state of continuing or being prolonged; persistence
Example
The continuance of the project depended on securing additional funding.
C1 noun /ˈɔːr.ə.tɔːr.i/

oratory

Meaning
The art of public speaking; skilled and confident delivery of speeches to an audience.
Example
His exceptional oratory skills won him the debate competition.
C1 noun ˈnɛktər

Nectar

Meaning
A sweet liquid produced by flowers that serves as food for butterflies.
Example
Butterflies drink nectar from flowers.
B2 adverb /ˈdɪmli/

dimly

Meaning
in a faint or unclear way; with little light
Example
The room was dimly lit by a single candle.
B2 verb ˈtrænsfɔːrm

transform

Meaning
To change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
Example
Volunteering can transform lives and communities.
B2 noun /ˈker.ə.siːn/

Kerosene

Meaning
a combustible hydrocarbon liquid widely used as a fuel in lamps and heating systems
Example
The old lamp burned kerosene to provide light during power outages.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪ.li.ə/

Dahlia

Meaning
a garden plant with brightly colored flowers that bloom in summer and autumn
Example
She planted colorful dahlias in her garden last summer.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːlˈtɪər/

muleteer

Meaning
a person who drives or takes care of mules
Example
The muleteer guided the animals safely across the mountain path.
C1 verb /kʌl/

cull

Meaning
to select or remove from a larger group, often to reduce numbers
Example
The farmers decided to cull the sick animals from the herd.
C1 phrase ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk rɛz.əˈluː.ʃən

diplomatic resolution

Meaning
A peaceful solution to conflicts through negotiation and diplomatic channels.
Example
A diplomatic resolution is necessary for peace.
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.
C2 verb /ˈsʌli/

sully

Meaning
to damage the purity, integrity, or reputation of something
Example
The scandal sullied the politician’s reputation.
B1 adjective /ˈsuːtəbl/

suitable

Meaning
appropriate or right for a particular person, purpose, or situation
Example
This dress is suitable for the wedding.
B2 adverb /ˈæktɪvli/

actively

Meaning
in a way that involves energetic participation or effort
Example
He is actively involved in community service.
A2 noun /miːl/

Meal

Meaning
food that is prepared and eaten at a specific time
Example
We enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant.
C1 adjective /ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/

preferential

Meaning
showing or giving advantage to one over others
Example
Members receive preferential treatment at the club.
C2 noun /ˌɑːbdʒərˈɡeɪʃən/

objurgation

Meaning
a harsh scolding or strong rebuke
Example
His misconduct earned him a severe objurgation from the manager.
A2 verb /ˈentər/

enter

Meaning
to go into; to come or go inside
Example
Please knock before you enter the room.
C2 adjective /ˈɡlʌt.ən.əs/

gluttonous

Meaning
Excessively greedy in eating or consuming.
Example
His gluttonous appetite shocked everyone at the dinner table.
C1 noun /ˈfrek.əl/

Freckle

Meaning
a small brownish spot on the skin, often becoming more pronounced through exposure to the sun
Example
Her face was covered with cute freckles that appeared every summer.
C1 noun, adjective /dɪˈrɪvətɪv/

derivative

Meaning
Something that is based on another source; in math, a measure of how a function changes.
Example
The film was criticized for being too derivative of earlier works.
C2 noun /ˈlɪniəmənt/

lineament

Meaning
A distinctive feature or characteristic, especially of the face.
Example
Her delicate lineaments revealed her noble birth.
A2 adjective /diːp/

deep

Meaning
extending far down from the top or surface; profound or intense
Example
The lake is very deep in the middle.
C2 adjective/adverb /feɪn/

fain

Meaning
gladly, willingly, or with pleasure
Example
I would fain help you if I had the time.
C1 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈprɛsəbl̩/

irrepressible

Meaning
Impossible to control or restrain.
Example
She had an irrepressible urge to laugh during the speech.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃeɪn.dʒə.bəl/

Changeable

Meaning
able to be changed; likely to change frequently
Example
The weather is very changeable in spring.
C1 adjective /ˈbrɪslɪŋ/

bristling

Meaning
full of energy, anger, or excitement; showing bristles standing up
Example
He entered the room bristling with confidence.
C1 noun /ˈpetɪkoʊt/

Petti-coat

Meaning
an undergarment worn by women under a dress or skirt
Example
She wore a white petticoat under her dress.
C2 verb /kwɒf/

quaff

Meaning
to drink something heartily or in large gulps, especially an alcoholic drink
Example
He quaffed a mug of ale after the long day.
B2 adjective /steɪl/

Stale

Meaning
no longer fresh; lacking originality or novelty
Example
The bread became stale after sitting out for three days.
C2 adjective /ˈtɛsəleɪtɪd/

tessellated

Meaning
arranged in a pattern of repeated shapes fitting together without gaps
Example
The tessellated floor was made of colorful tiles arranged in perfect symmetry.
C1 verb /rɪˈklaɪn/

recline

Meaning
To lean or lie back in a relaxed position.
Example
She reclined on the sofa with a book.
C1 noun /ˈdɒktrɪn/

doctrine

Meaning
A set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religious, political, or other group.
Example
The church follows a strict doctrine on moral values.
B2 noun /rɪˈlaɪ.əns/

Reliance

Meaning
the state of depending on something or someone for support or help
Example
His reliance on technology is concerning.
C2 noun /skæd/

scad

Meaning
A type of fish of the jack family; also informally means a large number or quantity.
Example
The fisherman caught a scad in the net.
A1 adjective /ˈeɪbl/

able

Meaning
having the power, skill, or means to do something
Example
She is able to speak three languages fluently.
B1 adjective /ɪˈliː.ɡəl/

illegal

Meaning
Not allowed by law; unlawful.
Example
It is illegal to drive without a valid license.
B1 noun /ˈmɑː.kɪ.tɪŋ/

Marketing

Meaning
The activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.
Example
Digital marketing has transformed business strategies.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌnɪŋ/

stunning

Meaning
extremely impressive or attractive
Example
The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely stunning.
B1 noun /sərˈtɪfɪkət/

certificate

Meaning
a document serving as proof of achievement or qualification
Example
She received a certificate for completing the course.
B2 adjective /məˈkænɪkəl/

mechanical

Meaning
relating to machines or the way they work
Example
She has a good understanding of mechanical systems.
C1 verb /ˌriː.ɪˈstæblɪʃ/

reestablish

Meaning
to set up or restore something again after it has been disrupted
Example
The government worked hard to reestablish peace in the region.
C2 noun /ˈtɒnʃər/

tonsure

Meaning
the practice of shaving or cutting the hair on the scalp, especially in a religious context
Example
The monk received his tonsure as part of his religious initiation.
C1 noun /ɪˈvæp.ər.ə.tɪv ˈkuː.lər/

Evaporative cooler

Meaning
a cooling device that uses water evaporation to reduce air temperature
Example
The evaporative cooler works best in dry climates.
B2 adjective /ˈtrʌblsəm/

Troublesome

Meaning
causing difficulty or annoyance; problematic
Example
The troublesome student disrupted the class again.
C1 noun /stɛntʃ/

stench

Meaning
A very strong and unpleasant smell.
Example
The stench of garbage filled the alley.
A2 adverb /ˈdʒɛnərəli/

generally

Meaning
in most cases; usually; as a rule
Example
He generally arrives at work before 9 a.m.
C1 verb /ˌʌn.dəˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

undercharge

Meaning
To charge less than the correct or fair amount.
Example
The shopkeeper accidentally undercharged me for the groceries.
A2 noun /ɡɑːd/

god

Meaning
a deity; a supreme being believed to control the universe
Example
People in different cultures worship God in various ways.
B1 noun ˈtʊə.nə.mənt

tournament

Meaning
A series of contests between a number of competitors, competing for an overall prize.
Example
The tournament showcased exceptional talent.
C1 adjective ɡəˈlæktɪk

galactic

Meaning
Of or relating to a galaxy or galaxies.
Example
The galactic phenomena observed by the telescope were mesmerizing.
B2 adjective /blʌnt/

blunt

Meaning
not sharp; direct and straightforward in speech
Example
Her blunt remarks offended some people.
B2 noun /ˈkjuː.bɪ.kəl/

cubicle

Meaning
A small partitioned-off area of a room, typically in an office.
Example
She works in a cubicle with three other colleagues.
A1 adverb /ɛls/

else

Meaning
In addition; besides.
Example
Is there anything else you need?
C1 adjective /ʌnˈtaɪmli/

Untimely

Meaning
happening at an inappropriate or inconvenient time; premature
Example
His untimely death at the age of thirty shocked everyone.
C1 adverb /ˈheɪs.tɪ.li/

Hastily

Meaning
in a hurried or rushed manner; quickly and carelessly
Example
She hastily packed her bags before leaving for the airport.
A2 adjective /mɪkst/

mixed

Meaning
consisting of different elements or having varied opinions or feelings
Example
The audience had mixed reactions to the film.
C2 noun /əˈkjuːtnəs/

acuteness

Meaning
sharpness of mind or senses; severity or intensity of a condition
Example
Her acuteness allowed her to notice details others missed.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪlədʒi/

trilogy

Meaning
a set of three related works, usually books or films, that form a connected story
Example
The director finally released the third film to complete the sci-fi trilogy.
A2 adjective /kənˈfjuːzd/

confused

Meaning
unable to think clearly; uncertain or puzzled
Example
She felt confused by the complicated instructions.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvɪsəbl/

serviceable

Meaning
fit for use; usable; in working order
Example
The old bicycle is still serviceable despite its age.
C1 noun /kəˈlɪɡrəfi/

calligraphy

Meaning
The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting.
Example
She took a course to improve her calligraphy skills.
C1 verb /ˈdʒʌmbəl/

jumble

Meaning
to mix things together in a confused or untidy way
Example
Don't jumble all the papers together in one pile.
B2 verb /ˈraɪpən/

ripen

Meaning
to become or make something ready to eat or fully developed
Example
The bananas ripened quickly in the warm weather.
B2 verb /əkˈsɛləreɪt/

accelerate

Meaning
to increase speed or make something happen sooner
Example
The driver accelerated to overtake the truck.
B2 adjective /dɪˈvaɪn/

Divine

Meaning
heavenly; sacred; godlike; relating to God or a deity
Example
The divine beauty of the sunset took their breath away.
C1 noun ˈdɪk.ʃən

diction

Meaning
The style of pronunciation and word choice in speaking or writing.
Example
A strong diction enhances communication skills.
C1 verb, noun /sæp/

sap

Meaning
As a noun: the vital fluid in plants; As a verb: to gradually weaken or drain strength.
Example
The long journey began to sap his energy.
C1 adjective /ˈprɒdɪɡəl/

prodigal

Meaning
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
Example
The prodigal son returned home after wasting his inheritance.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpɛl/

impel

Meaning
to drive, force, or urge someone to do something
Example
Her curiosity impelled her to open the mysterious box.
C1 noun /ˈpælɪt/

pallet

Meaning
a flat wooden platform used for moving or storing goods; also a makeshift bed
Example
The boxes were stacked on a wooden pallet for easy transport.
A2 verb /əˈvɔɪd/

avoid

Meaning
To keep away from or stop oneself from doing something.
Example
He tries to avoid junk food.
B2 verb /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/

specialize

Meaning
to focus on a particular subject or activity and become an expert in it
Example
He decided to specialize in cardiology.
B2 noun /ˌdɪs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Disability

Meaning
a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities
Example
Despite his physical disability, he became a successful athlete in wheelchair racing.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrdʒɪd/

turgid

Meaning
Swollen or distended; (of language) pompous and overcomplicated.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so turgid that many students lost interest.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɜːrtɪd/

concerted

Meaning
done with great effort, planned and performed together by multiple people
Example
The workers made a concerted effort to improve conditions.
C1 adjective ˌæd.vɚˈser.i.əl

adversarial

Meaning
Involving or characterized by conflict or opposition.
Example
The two companies have an adversarial relationship in the market.
C2 noun /ˈɪəri/ or /ˈɛəri/

aery

Meaning
An eagle’s nest, or a lofty, airy dwelling.
Example
The eagle perched proudly near its aery high on the cliff.
C1 noun /əˈbɪs/

abyss

Meaning
a deep, immeasurable space, chasm, or void; something seemingly without end
Example
The climbers looked down into the dark abyss below.
C2 verb /bɪˈstraɪd/

bestride

Meaning
To sit or stand astride something; to dominate over.
Example
The statue bestrides the city square.
A2 adjective /ˈemp.ti/

Empty

Meaning
containing nothing; vacant; without contents
Example
The glass is empty and needs to be refilled.
C1 verb /ˈdʒɜːrmɪneɪt/

germinate

Meaning
To begin to grow or develop, especially referring to a seed.
Example
The seeds germinate quickly in moist soil.
C1 adverb /ˈæmpli/

amply

Meaning
more than sufficiently; generously
Example
She was amply rewarded for her hard work.
C1 adjective /ˈstʌm.pi/

Stumpy

Meaning
short and thick; having a short, thick appearance
Example
The stumpy little dog wagged its tail enthusiastically.
B1 verb /kənˈɡrætʃʊleɪt/

congratulate

Meaning
to praise someone for an achievement or for a special occasion
Example
I want to congratulate you on your promotion.
C1 verb /sɪndʒ/

singe

Meaning
To burn something superficially or lightly, especially at the edges.
Example
The fire singed his eyebrows.