adieu
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C2 noun /əˈdjuː/

adieu

Meaning
A farewell or goodbye, often used in a formal or poetic sense.
Example
She bid her friends adieu before leaving for France.
C2 noun /ˈkɪldʒɔɪ/

killjoy

Meaning
a person who spoils the fun or enjoyment of others
Example
Don’t be a killjoy at the party.
C1 noun ˈpɜː.mə.kʌl.tʃər

permaculture

Meaning
The development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.
Example
Permaculture promotes self-sufficient farming systems.
B2 adjective /ˈprɪv.ə.lɪdʒd/

Privileged

Meaning
having special advantages; favored; elite
Example
She comes from a privileged background with many opportunities.
C1 adjective, verb /sɪˈdeɪt/

sedate

Meaning
calm, quiet, and composed; or to administer a drug to make someone calm or sleep
Example
The nurse sedated the patient before the operation.
C2 noun /ˈbɒnəmi/

bonhomie

Meaning
Cheerful friendliness and geniality.
Example
The meeting was filled with laughter and bonhomie.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈskruːtəbl̩/

inscrutable

Meaning
impossible to understand or interpret
Example
His inscrutable expression made it hard to know what he was thinking.
C2 noun /ˌmælˈoʊdər/

malodor

Meaning
An unpleasant smell; bad odor.
Example
The garbage bin gave off a terrible malodor.
A2 noun /θɔːt/

thought

Meaning
an idea or opinion produced by thinking or considering something
Example
She had a sudden thought about the future.
C2 noun /ˌriːkəˌpɪtjʊˈleɪʃən/

recapitulation

Meaning
The act of summarizing or repeating the main points of something.
Example
The professor gave a brief recapitulation of the lecture before ending the class.
C2 noun /ˈfetiʃ/

fetich

Meaning
an object believed to have magical powers or to be inhabited by a spirit
Example
The villagers treated the statue as a powerful fetich.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈspænsɪv/

expansive

Meaning
covering a wide area or having a wide range of ideas or emotions
Example
They enjoyed the expansive view from the hilltop.
B1 verb /dɪˈklɛər/

declare

Meaning
To announce something formally or officially.
Example
The government declared a state of emergency.
C2 noun /ˈdʒʌɡləri/

jugglery

Meaning
The performance of tricks and illusions, especially by sleight of hand.
Example
The magician's jugglery amazed the audience.
C2 noun /ˌluːkjʊˈbreɪʃən/

lucubration

Meaning
study or meditation, especially at night
Example
His novel was the result of long lucubration.
C2 noun /ˈswɑːvɪti/

suavity

Meaning
smoothness and charm in manner
Example
His suavity made him popular in social gatherings.
C2 noun /ˈbrɛviˌɛri/

breviary

Meaning
A book containing the service for each day, used in Christian liturgy.
Example
The monk read from the breviary during morning prayers.
C2 adjective ˈen.də.krɪn

endocrine

Meaning
Relating to or denoting glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood.
Example
The endocrine system regulates metabolism and growth.
C2 noun /ˈænti/

ante

Meaning
a stake put up by a player in poker or similar games before receiving cards; also used figuratively to mean an initial investment or contribution
Example
Each player placed an ante before the game began.
C1 adjective /ˌaɪ.di.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

ideological

Meaning
Relating to or based on a system of ideas or beliefs.
Example
The two parties are divided by deep ideological differences.
C2 noun /hɔːɡ plʌm/

Hog plum

Meaning
tropical fruit with yellow skin and sour taste
Example
Hog plums are often used to make pickles and chutneys.
B1 noun, verb /dɪˈzaɪər/

desire

Meaning
a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen
Example
He has a strong desire to travel the world.
A2 noun /stɔːrm/

Storm

Meaning
a violent weather condition with strong winds, rain, thunder, and lightning
Example
The storm caused power outages across the city.
C2 noun /ˈʃaɪstər/

shyster

Meaning
a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous or dishonest methods
Example
The businessman was exposed as a shyster who cheated clients.
C2 noun /lɪˈnoʊ.li.əm/

linoleum

Meaning
a durable, washable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour, or cork dust on a canvas backing
Example
They decided to cover the kitchen floor with linoleum.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdjuːsmənt/

inducement

Meaning
something that persuades or encourages someone to do something
Example
The company offered a bonus as an inducement to employees.
C1 verb /mæʃ/

mash

Meaning
to crush or mix food into a soft mass, usually by pressing or beating
Example
She mashed the potatoes before serving dinner.
C1 noun /kəmˈpəʊ.ʒər/

composure

Meaning
The state or feeling of being calm and in control of oneself.
Example
She maintained her composure during the interview.
B1 noun /ˈnaɪt.meər/

Nightmare

Meaning
a frightening or unpleasant dream; a very unpleasant experience
Example
The exam was a complete nightmare for unprepared students.
C2 noun /ˈmæn.li.nəs/

manliness

Meaning
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
Example
His manliness was admired by his peers.
C2 adjective /ˈdjuːtiəbl/

dutiable

Meaning
subject to customs duty or tax
Example
Imported electronics are often dutiable at the border.
B2 adjective /ˈsʌt.əl/

subtle

Meaning
So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe; making use of clever and indirect methods.
Example
The artist's use of color was subtle yet powerful.
B2 noun ˌkɒnsəlˈteɪʃən

consultation

Meaning
The action of consulting or discussing; a meeting with an expert or professional to seek advice.
Example
Consultation was essential.
A2 noun /dʒɔɪ/

Joy

Meaning
a feeling of great pleasure and happiness; a person or thing that causes delight
Example
The children's laughter filled the house with joy during the holiday celebration.
C2 verb /ˈmæsəˌreɪt/

macerate

Meaning
to soften or break up something, especially food, by soaking in liquid
Example
The chef macerated the fruit in wine before serving.
C1 verb /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

inhibit

Meaning
to prevent or restrain someone or something from acting freely; to hinder
Example
Fear can inhibit personal growth.
A2 verb /ˈpræktɪs/

practise

Meaning
to do something repeatedly to improve skill; to work in a profession
Example
She practises piano for two hours daily.
C2 noun /ɪˈfrʌntəri/

effrontery

Meaning
shameless or rude boldness
Example
He had the effrontery to lie even when caught red-handed.
B2 noun, verb /ˈædɪkt/ (noun), /əˈdɪkt/ (verb)

addict

Meaning
a person who is unable to stop using a harmful substance or doing something harmful; to cause someone to become dependent on something
Example
He is a video game addict who spends hours playing every day.
C1 verb /pləˈkeɪt/

placate

Meaning
to make someone less angry or hostile; to calm or soothe
Example
He tried to placate the angry customer with a refund.
C2 adjective /fɪˈdjuːʃəl/

fiducial

Meaning
based on trust or confidence; serving as a standard of reference
Example
The fiducial point on the map ensures accurate measurements.
C1 noun /pəˈlɪɡ.ə.mi/

Polygamy

Meaning
the practice of marrying multiple spouses at the same time
Example
Polygamy is illegal in many countries around the world.
B1 noun /bɪˈliːf/

Belief

Meaning
confidence in the truth or existence of something; trust or faith
Example
His belief in justice never wavered.
C1 noun ˌkɒn.əˈteɪ.ʃən

connotation

Meaning
The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition
Example
The word 'home' has a warm connotation of comfort and family.
A2 noun /wɪnd/

Wind

Meaning
the natural movement of air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction
Example
The wind blew the leaves off the trees.
C2 noun /sɜːrˈsiːs/

surcease

Meaning
a temporary or final ending or stopping of something
Example
The noise finally came to a surcease after midnight.
C1 adjective /əbˈsɛsɪv/

obsessive

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by an obsession; thinking about something too much.
Example
He has an obsessive interest in cleanliness.
B2 adjective /aɪˈrɒnɪk/

ironic

Meaning
happening in the opposite way to what is expected, often amusing or sarcastic
Example
It is ironic that the fire station burned down.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊnsəlɪŋ/

counseling

Meaning
professional guidance or therapy to help resolve personal or psychological problems
Example
She decided to go for counseling after feeling stressed for months.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈsʌlid/

unsullied

Meaning
not spoiled or made impure; perfectly clean or pure
Example
His reputation remained unsullied despite the accusations.
C2 verb /bɪˈlaɪ/

belie

Meaning
To give a false impression of something; to contradict.
Example
His calm face belied his inner anxiety.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈhiːt/

superheat

Meaning
to heat a substance beyond its normal boiling point without it becoming vapor
Example
Engineers superheat the steam to increase the efficiency of the turbine.
A2 noun /ʃeɪp/

Shape

Meaning
the external form or appearance of something; condition or state
Example
The artist drew a perfect circle shape on the canvas.
A2 noun /ˈruːlər/

ruler

Meaning
A person who governs or controls a country; a straight-edged tool used for measuring or drawing lines
Example
The ruler drew a straight line on the paper while the king was a powerful ruler of his kingdom.
C2 noun /ˈriːbəs/

rebus

Meaning
a puzzle in which words are represented by pictures, symbols, or letters
Example
The children enjoyed solving the rebus puzzles in the magazine.
B2 noun /sɪlk/

silk

Meaning
a fine, smooth fabric made from the threads produced by silkworms
Example
The dress was made of pure silk.
C2 verb /θrɛʃ/

thresh

Meaning
to separate grain from the plant by beating or by using a machine
Example
Farmers used machines to thresh the wheat after harvest.
B2 noun /ˈprɛfəs/

preface

Meaning
an introduction to a book, speech, or other written work
Example
The author explained his motivation in the preface.
B2 noun /ˈfɛmənɪst/

feminist

Meaning
a person who supports equal rights and opportunities for women and men
Example
She proudly calls herself a feminist and fights for gender equality.
A2 noun dɪˈskrɪpʃən

description

Meaning
A spoken or written account of a person, object, or event.
Example
His description was vivid.
B2 adjective /bɪˈliːvəbl̩/

believable

Meaning
Able to be trusted or accepted as true or reasonable.
Example
Her story was so detailed that it sounded believable.
C2 noun /ɪˈklɛktɪˌsɪzəm/

eclecticism

Meaning
A method or practice of deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
Example
The architect’s work shows eclecticism by blending modern and traditional elements.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf.kənˈtrəʊl

self-control

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward, or avoid some punishment, typically in the longer term.
Example
Self-control is important for maintaining a balanced life.
B2 noun /menˈtæləti/

Mentality

Meaning
The characteristic attitude of mind or way of thinking of a person or group
Example
The team needs to develop a winning mentality to succeed.
C1 noun ˈdaɪ.nə.sti

dynasty

Meaning
A line of hereditary rulers of a country; a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role in business, politics, or another field.
Example
The Ming dynasty ruled China for centuries.
C1 noun /hɒˈstɪləti/

hostility

Meaning
hostile behavior; unfriendliness or opposition
Example
The negotiations ended in an atmosphere of hostility.
C1 noun /ˈfɔɪeɪr/

foyer

Meaning
An entrance hall or lobby in a building.
Example
The guests waited in the hotel foyer before checking in.
C2 adjective /fəˈsiːʃəs/

facetious

Meaning
Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor
Example
He was being facetious when he said he wanted to live on the moon.
A1 noun /ˈvɪdiəʊ/

video

Meaning
a recording of moving visual images made digitally or on film
Example
She watched the video of her favorite concert online.
B2 noun /ˈpɑːrtɪkəl/

particle

Meaning
a very small piece or amount of something
Example
Dust particles floated in the air near the window.
C1 noun /əˈvɜːrʒən/

aversion

Meaning
a strong feeling of dislike or unwillingness towards something
Example
She has a strong aversion to smoking.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪn.dʒən.si/

contingency

Meaning
A provision for an unforeseen event or circumstance, especially in financial planning.
Example
The company has a contingency plan for economic downturns.
C1 noun /ˌfɪɡjʊˈriːn/

figurine

Meaning
a small ornamental statue or model of a human or animal
Example
She bought a porcelain figurine of a dancing ballerina.
A2 noun/adjective /ˈfiːmeɪl/

female

Meaning
a person or animal of the sex that can bear offspring; relating to women or girls
Example
The female lion protects her cubs fiercely.
B2 noun /ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜːr/

Entrepreneur

Meaning
a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses
Example
The young entrepreneur started her own tech company at age 22.
C1 adjective /ˈpʊʃi/

pushy

Meaning
excessively assertive or aggressive, often annoyingly so
Example
The salesperson was too pushy, which drove customers away.
B2 noun bjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si

bureaucracy

Meaning
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
Example
Excessive bureaucracy can slow down decision-making.
C1 verb /ˈmɑːrʃəl/

marshal

Meaning
To arrange or organize people, events, or resources in an orderly way.
Example
The teacher marshaled the students for the field trip.
C2 verb /ˈsʌbdʒʊˌɡeɪt/

subjugate

Meaning
To bring under domination or control, especially by conquest.
Example
The empire sought to subjugate the neighboring kingdoms.
B1 noun /treɪd/

trade

Meaning
The action of buying and selling goods and services.
Example
Trade agreements foster economic development.
C2 noun /ˈkaɪrəˌmænsi/

chiromancy

Meaning
The practice of predicting the future by interpreting the lines on the palms of hands; palmistry.
Example
The old woman practiced chiromancy and told fortunes for travelers.
C2 verb /ˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

furbish

Meaning
to polish, renovate, or give a fresh look to something
Example
The workers furbished the old sword until it gleamed like new.
B2 noun /ˈpæθweɪ/

pathway

Meaning
a route or course along which something travels or progresses
Example
The narrow pathway led to the hidden garden.
B2 adjective /ɪˈmætʃʊr/

Immature

Meaning
not fully developed; lacking emotional or intellectual development; childish
Example
His immature behavior during the meeting disappointed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈsteɪtkraft/

statecraft

Meaning
The art of governing and managing state affairs effectively.
Example
The leader was praised for his exceptional statecraft in handling international relations.
C1 verb /θræʃ/

thrash

Meaning
to beat someone or something violently; to move wildly or violently
Example
The angry man threatened to thrash his opponent.
C1 noun ˈkætəlɪst

catalyst

Meaning
A person or thing that precipitates an event or change.
Example
His speech acted as a catalyst for change in the community.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtrɛntʃt/

entrenched

Meaning
Firmly established and unlikely to change.
Example
Corruption is deeply entrenched in the system.
C1 adjective /ˈnæk.ərd/

Knackered

Meaning
extremely tired; exhausted
Example
I'm absolutely knackered after working all day.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/

confiscate

Meaning
to take something away officially, often as a punishment
Example
The teacher confiscated the student's phone during class.
B2 adjective ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜː.ri.əl

entrepreneurial

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
Example
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful startup.
C1 adjective /əˈbreɪsɪv/

abrasive

Meaning
harsh, rough, or capable of wearing down by rubbing
Example
His abrasive tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər ˌlɪl.i/

Water-lily

Meaning
a floating flower that grows on the surface of ponds and lakes
Example
The white water-lily floated gracefully on the pond.
C2 noun /ˈkʌstərd ˈæpəl/

Custard Apple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with sweet creamy white flesh and black seeds
Example
The custard apple has a sweet and creamy texture.
C1 verb /skɒf/

scoff

Meaning
to speak about something in a mocking or dismissive way
Example
He scoffed at the idea of moving abroad.
B1 noun /ˈdʒʌm.pər/

Jumper

Meaning
a knitted garment worn on the upper body; a person or animal that jumps
Example
She wore a warm woolen jumper during the cold winter evening.
C1 noun /tʃæmp/

champ

Meaning
an informal word for champion or winner.
Example
He is the new champ of the boxing tournament.
C1 verb, noun /ˈflʌstər/

fluster

Meaning
to make someone agitated or confused
Example
The unexpected question flustered him.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈɛəriəl/

aerial

Meaning
As an adjective: existing or happening in the air. As a noun: an antenna for receiving radio or television signals.
Example
The pilot performed an amazing aerial maneuver.
A2 noun /ˈeə.ri.ə/

area

Meaning
a particular region or space; the extent of a surface
Example
This area is known for its beautiful parks.
C1 noun /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/

congregation

Meaning
a group of people assembled for religious worship or a common purpose
Example
The congregation gathered to hear the sermon.
C2 adjective /ˈæbdʒɛkt/

abject

Meaning
extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading
Example
They lived in abject poverty.
C2 adjective /ˈtjuːtɪlɑːr/

tutelar

Meaning
Serving as a guardian or protector.
Example
The tutelar spirit of the forest was believed to protect travelers.
C1 adjective /fərˈlɔːrn/

forlorn

Meaning
extremely sad, lonely, or abandoned
Example
The abandoned puppy looked so forlorn in the rain.
C1 noun ˈpɛd.ə.ɡɒ.dʒi

pedagogy

Meaning
The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.
Example
Modern pedagogy focuses on student-centered learning.
C1 noun /ˈspɪnstər/

spinster

Meaning
An unmarried woman, often one who is older and considered unlikely to marry
Example
The novel featured a kind-hearted spinster who cared for the village children.
C2 noun /ˈrɛtɪnjuː/

retinue

Meaning
A group of attendants or followers accompanying an important person.
Example
The king entered the hall followed by his retinue.
C2 noun /kɒzˈmɒɡ.ə.ni/

cosmogony

Meaning
the study or theory of the origin of the universe
Example
The book provides an overview of different cosmogonies throughout history.
C1 noun /ˈæl.ɪ.moʊ.ni/

alimony

Meaning
financial support that a person is ordered by a court to give to their spouse after separation or divorce
Example
He was ordered by the court to pay monthly alimony to his ex-wife.
C1 noun /rɔ ˈtɜrmərɪk/

Raw Turmeric

Meaning
fresh unprocessed root of the turmeric plant used as a spice and medicine
Example
Grate raw turmeric into the curry for authentic flavor.
A2 adjective /sɪksθ/

sixth

Meaning
coming after the fifth in order, position, or rank
Example
He finished the race in sixth place.
C1 noun ˌɪnsjʊˈleɪʃən

insulation

Meaning
Material used to prevent heat, sound, or electricity from being transmitted from one area to another.
Example
Insulation of food storage areas can prevent pests from entering.
B1 noun /rɪst/

Wrist

Meaning
the joint connecting the hand with the forearm
Example
He wore a watch on his wrist.
C1 noun dɪˈtætʃ.mənt

detachment

Meaning
The state of being objective or aloof; not being emotionally involved.
Example
Buddhist philosophy encourages detachment from material desires.
B2 noun /ˌɛdɪˈtɔːriəl/

editorial

Meaning
A newspaper article expressing the opinion of the editor or publisher.
Example
The newspaper published an editorial criticizing government policy.
B1 noun /ˈkɒləm/

column

Meaning
A vertical structure that supports a building; also a section of text arranged vertically in a newspaper or table.
Example
The ancient temple had tall marble columns.
C2 noun /floʊ/

floe

Meaning
a large sheet of floating ice
Example
The polar bears rested on the ice floe.
C2 noun /fɪˈlæt.əl.ɪst/

philatelist

Meaning
a person who collects or studies postage stamps
Example
The philatelist spent years building a rare stamp collection.
B1 noun ɪmˈpruːv.mənts

improvements

Meaning
The action of making or becoming better; an instance of something becoming or being made better.
Example
Continuous improvements increase productivity.
B2 verb /oʊˈmɪt/

omit

Meaning
to leave out or exclude; to fail to include something
Example
Please don't omit any important details from your report.
B1 noun /əˈmjuːzmənt/

Amusement

Meaning
the state or experience of finding something funny; entertainment or recreational activities
Example
The children's laughter showed their amusement at the clown's performance.