astonish
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B2 verb /əˈstɒnɪʃ/

astonish

Meaning
to surprise someone greatly; to fill with sudden wonder or amazement
Example
The magician’s final trick astonished the entire audience.
B2 adjective /ˈfes.tɪv/

Festive

Meaning
joyful; celebratory; having the characteristics of a festival
Example
The house looked festive with colorful decorations.
C1 verb /ɔːˈθɛntɪkeɪt/

authenticate

Meaning
To prove or show that something is genuine or true.
Example
The bank uses advanced technology to authenticate online transactions.
B1 verb /rɪˈvjuː/

review

Meaning
to examine or assess something again; to write a critical evaluation
Example
I need to review my notes before the exam.
B2 noun /ˈfaɪbər/

fiber

Meaning
a thread or filament from which a textile is formed; dietary substance from plants that aids digestion
Example
Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber.
B1 verb /ˈedɪt/

edit

Meaning
to make changes to improve or correct something
Example
I need to edit this document before submission.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪdʒæk/

hijack

Meaning
to take control of a vehicle or situation illegally or by force
Example
The criminals attempted to hijack the airplane.
C2 noun /koʊˈkɛt/

coquette

Meaning
a woman who flirts lightheartedly
Example
She was a coquette, always charming everyone at the party.
C2 noun /ˌɛksaɪˈteɪʃən/

excitation

Meaning
a state of great excitement or the process of stimulating activity
Example
The news created great excitation among the fans.
C2 noun /dɪsˈdʒʌŋkʃən/

disjunction

Meaning
A lack of connection between things; separation or disunity.
Example
There is a clear disjunction between theory and practice.
B2 noun/verb /kəˈmjuː.tɪŋ/

commuting

Meaning
Regular travel to and from workplace, daily journey for work.
Example
He spends two hours commuting to work every day.
C1 verb /ˈhʌsəl/

hustle

Meaning
to move quickly and energetically; to push or work hard to achieve something
Example
She had to hustle to finish the project on time.
B2 adverb /ˈʌt.ə.li/

Utterly

Meaning
completely; absolutely; totally
Example
The movie was utterly boring and I fell asleep.
C2 noun /ˌvæs.ɪˈleɪ.ʃən/

Vacillation

Meaning
the inability to decide between different opinions or actions; indecision
Example
His constant vacillation between career choices frustrated his parents.
C2 adjective /ænˈdrɒdʒɪnəs/

androgynous

Meaning
Having both male and female characteristics; not clearly masculine or feminine.
Example
The fashion show featured models with an androgynous look.
B2 noun /ɪnˈsen.tɪv/

Incentive

Meaning
a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something; a reward or penalty that influences behavior
Example
The company offered a cash incentive to employees who exceeded their sales targets.
C2 noun məˌnɒp.ə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

monopolization

Meaning
The process by which a company gains exclusive control over a commercial activity.
Example
The monopolization of industries can limit consumer choices.
C2 noun /dɪˈtraɪtəs/

detritus

Meaning
Waste or debris of any kind; fragments left from destruction or decay.
Example
The riverbank was covered with detritus after the flood.
C2 noun /ˈbɒdɪs/

bodice

Meaning
the part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist
Example
She wore a dress with an embroidered bodice.
C1 noun /sɔːd fɪʃ/

Sword fish

Meaning
A large marine fish with an elongated bill resembling a sword
Example
The swordfish can swim at speeds up to 60 mph.
C1 noun /kəˈmændər ɪn tʃiːf/

Commander-in-chief

Meaning
the supreme leader of a nation's armed forces
Example
The president serves as the commander-in-chief of the military.
B1 adverb /ˈθæŋkfəli/

thankfully

Meaning
used to express relief or gratitude
Example
Thankfully, she arrived just in time for the meeting.
A2 verb riˈsaɪklɪŋ

recycling

Meaning
The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects to prevent waste.
Example
Recycling plastic helps in reducing waste.
A2 noun /ˈkæptɪn/

Captain

Meaning
a military officer of middle rank; the person in command of a ship or aircraft
Example
The captain ordered his troops to advance forward.
C2 verb /ˈtʃeɪ.sən/

chasten

Meaning
to correct or discipline; to humble or subdue
Example
The coach chastened the team after their poor performance.
C2 adjective /ˈkeəwɔːn/

careworn

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

apex

Meaning
The highest point or peak of something; the top or summit.
Example
He reached the apex of his career.
B2 verb /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪr/

persevere

Meaning
to continue trying to achieve something despite difficulty or delay
Example
He persevered through many failures before succeeding.
C1 noun /sɪˈnɒpsɪs/

synopsis

Meaning
a brief summary of the main points of a text, film, or research
Example
The publisher asked the author to submit a one-page synopsis of the novel.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtriːti/

entreaty

Meaning
An earnest or humble request or plea.
Example
She made an entreaty for peace during the heated argument.
C1 adjective əsˈtjuːt

astute

Meaning
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example
His astute observations helped solve the complex problem.
C2 noun /ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪzəm/

pugilism

Meaning
The practice or sport of boxing.
Example
He studied the art of pugilism in his youth.
C1 verb /ˌkɒm.pɑːtˈmen.təl.aɪz/

compartmentalize

Meaning
To divide into sections or categories; to separate things into compartments.
Example
To increase efficiency, he compartmentalized his work tasks.
A2 adverb /ˈæktʃuəli/

actually

Meaning
used to emphasize that something is true, especially when surprising
Example
She actually completed the project ahead of schedule.
A1 noun /ˈvedʒ.tə.bəlz/

Vegetables

Meaning
plants or parts of plants that are eaten as food, such as peas, beans, cabbage, potatoes, onions, or carrots
Example
We should eat more vegetables to maintain a healthy diet.
C2 noun /ɪˈskʌtʃən/

escutcheon

Meaning
a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms
Example
The family crest was displayed on the escutcheon above the fireplace.
B2 verb /ˈskrɪbəl/

scribble

Meaning
to write or draw carelessly or quickly
Example
The child scribbled all over the wall.
A2 noun /ˈswɛtər/

sweater

Meaning
a warm knitted piece of clothing worn on the upper body
Example
She wore a red sweater to keep warm in the cold weather.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtəni/

litany

Meaning
a long, repetitive, or tedious account or list; originally a form of prayer
Example
The politician gave a litany of promises during the campaign.
C1 adjective /ˌæntiˈneɪtl/

antenatal

Meaning
Relating to the medical care and treatment given to a pregnant woman before the birth of her child.
Example
She attended regular antenatal checkups throughout her pregnancy.
B1 noun /ˈnɜːrsəri/

nursery

Meaning
a room or place where young children are cared for
Example
She works in a nursery, taking care of infants.
B2 noun ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃən

transformation

Meaning
A thorough or dramatic change in form, appearance, or character; a complete alteration or evolution.
Example
Digital literacy leads to economic transformation.
B2 noun/verb /swɑːmp/

swamp

Meaning
An area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects; a bog or marsh.
Example
The village was built near a swamp.
B2 verb /ˌɪntərˈfɪər/

interfere

Meaning
to become involved in something that is not your concern; to hinder or obstruct
Example
Parents should not interfere in their children’s personal choices.
C2 noun /ˈbɛlfri/

belfry

Meaning
A bell tower, especially one attached to a church or building.
Example
The church belfry housed a large bronze bell.
B2 adjective /ˈfeɪθ.fəl/

Faithful

Meaning
loyal and committed; reliable; true to one's beliefs
Example
She remained faithful to her principles throughout her career.
C1 noun /ˈɪntərˌluːd/

interlude

Meaning
A short period of time that comes between two events; an interval.
Example
There was a brief musical interlude between the two acts of the play.
A1 verb /ˈoʊpən/

open

Meaning
to move something so as to allow access; to begin
Example
Please open the door for me.
A2 noun /kɑːrˈtuːn/

cartoon

Meaning
a humorous or animated drawing, especially one in newspapers or television
Example
Children love watching cartoons on TV.
C1 adjective, verb /ˈeɪlɪŋ/

ailing

Meaning
suffering from illness or poor health; experiencing problems or decline
Example
The ailing patient slowly began to recover after treatment.
C1 noun /trænsˈfɜːrər/

transferrer

Meaning
A person who transfers something, such as property, rights, or responsibilities, to another.
Example
The transferrer is responsible for ensuring the property is legally passed on.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛmbəl/

dissemble

Meaning
to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to pretend
Example
He tried to dissemble his anger with a forced smile.
C2 noun /ˈsteɪsɪs/ or /ˈstæsɪs/

stasis

Meaning
A state of inactivity or equilibrium; a situation where nothing changes.
Example
The negotiations reached a state of stasis with no progress made.
C1 adjective /ˈboʊɡəs/

bogus

Meaning
false, fake, or not genuine
Example
The police arrested him for using a bogus ID card.
C1 noun /teɪnt/

Taint

Meaning
a stain or mark that spoils something; corruption or contamination
Example
The scandal left a permanent taint on his reputation.
C2 adjective /ˈhæŋ.dɔːɡ/

hangdog

Meaning
looking or feeling ashamed, guilty, or defeated.
Example
He gave me a hangdog look after being caught lying.
C1 adjective /məˈnɒtənəs/

Monotonous

Meaning
lacking in variety; tediously unvarying; boring and repetitive
Example
The monotonous sound of the rain made everyone feel sleepy.
C1 noun /səˈlɪləkwi/

soliloquy

Meaning
a speech in which a character talks to themselves, often used in drama to reveal inner thoughts
Example
Hamlet's soliloquy is one of the most famous passages in Shakespearean drama.
B2 verb /suː/

sue

Meaning
to bring a lawsuit against someone in a court of law
Example
She decided to sue the company for damages.
C1 verb /brɔɪl/

broil

Meaning
To cook food by direct heat, usually under a grill or over a fire.
Example
She broiled the chicken until it was golden brown.
C1 noun /koʊlt/

Colt

Meaning
a young male horse, especially one under four years old
Example
The farmer trained the young colt to accept a saddle.
C2 noun /ˌpɑːrtjʊˈrɪʃən/

parturition

Meaning
The act of giving birth; childbirth.
Example
The doctor explained the stages of parturition to the students.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsɜːrdʒəns/

insurgence

Meaning
An act of rebellion or uprising against authority.
Example
The government struggled to contain the growing insurgence.
B2 noun ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən

innovation

Meaning
The action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, product, etc.
Example
Innovation drives solutions to global challenges.
C1 noun /iːl/

Eel

Meaning
a long, snake-like fish that lives in both fresh and salt water
Example
The electric eel can generate powerful electric shocks.
B2 adjective /ʃɪər/

Sheer

Meaning
complete; absolute; transparent; very steep
Example
It was sheer luck that we found the place.
C1 noun /prɪˈtɛnʃən/

pretension

Meaning
A claim or assertion to something, often without justification; an attempt to impress by showing greater importance or talent than is actually possessed.
Example
His pretension to be an expert was quickly exposed.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.stɪdʒ/

Hostage

Meaning
a person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition; captive
Example
The police negotiated carefully to secure the release of all hostages unharmed.
C2 adjective /ˈlaʊtɪʃ/

loutish

Meaning
Clumsy, rude, or aggressive in behavior.
Example
His loutish remarks offended everyone at the meeting.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvɪdiəs/

invidious

Meaning
likely to arouse resentment, envy, or anger in others
Example
The manager's invidious remarks created tension among the employees.
C1 verb /rɪˈtɔːrt/

retort

Meaning
To reply quickly or sharply, often in a witty or angry manner.
Example
He quickly retorted that he was not to blame.
A2 noun /ræt/

Rat

Meaning
a large long-tailed rodent that is typically considered a pest
Example
The rat scurried across the kitchen floor.
B1 adjective /ədˈvænst/

advanced

Meaning
highly developed or complex
Example
He is studying an advanced level of mathematics.
C1 verb /pəˈruːz/

peruse

Meaning
to read something carefully and thoroughly; sometimes used to mean to browse casually
Example
She sat down to peruse the contract before signing it.
C2 adjective /ˈmeɪndʒi/

mangy

Meaning
in poor condition, shabby, dirty, or affected by mange
Example
The stray dog looked mangy and weak.
B1 adjective /ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl/

electrical

Meaning
related to electricity or the use of electrical power
Example
The electrical system in the house needs repair.
B1 noun /ˈlænd.skeɪp/

Landscape

Meaning
all the visible features of an area of countryside or land; the art of designing outdoor areas
Example
The mountain landscape was breathtaking with its snow-capped peaks and green valleys.
B2 noun /kənˈtɛmpt/

contempt

Meaning
a strong feeling of dislike and lack of respect towards someone or something
Example
He spoke with contempt about the corrupt officials.
B1 noun /ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/

circumstance

Meaning
a fact or condition connected with an event or action
Example
She handled the difficult circumstances bravely.
B2 adjective /ˈtræŋkwɪl/

tranquil

Meaning
Free from disturbance; calm and peaceful.
Example
A tranquil environment promotes relaxation and focus.
C1 verb /kənˈkɜːr/

concur

Meaning
To agree with someone or something.
Example
I concur with your opinion on this matter.
C2 adjective, adverb /ˌmæləprəˈpoʊ/

malapropos

Meaning
inappropriate or unsuitable; at an inconvenient or inappropriate time
Example
His comment was malapropos during the serious discussion.
C1 noun /ˈkjuːmɪn/

Cumin

Meaning
A spice made from the dried seeds of a plant in the parsley family, with a warm earthy flavor
Example
Cumin is an essential spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.
A2 noun /ˈmʌʃ.ruːm/

Mushroom

Meaning
a type of fungus that can be eaten, often used in cooking
Example
The pizza was topped with fresh mushrooms.
C1 noun /ˈmɒdɪfaɪər/

modifier

Meaning
a word or element that changes, limits, or describes the meaning of another word; something that alters or adjusts
Example
In the phrase 'very cold', 'very' is a modifier of 'cold'.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
B2 verb /bɑːrk/

bark

Meaning
to make a sharp sound like a dog; to speak angrily
Example
The dog barks at strangers.
B2 noun pəˈspek.tɪvz

perspectives

Meaning
A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Example
New perspectives enhance understanding.
B2 noun /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊərɪti/

insecurity

Meaning
lack of confidence or assurance; a state of uncertainty or vulnerability
Example
Her insecurity made her doubt her abilities despite her experience.
B1 noun /skriːn/

Screen

Meaning
a flat surface on which pictures or words are shown; a movable partition used to divide a room
Example
The movie was displayed on a large screen in the theater.
B1 adverb /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/

significantly

Meaning
in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect
Example
The economy has significantly improved over the last decade.
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.
C1 verb /ɪnˈɡreɪv/

engrave

Meaning
to cut or carve a design, letter, or pattern into a hard surface
Example
The craftsman engraved her name on the silver ring.
C1 verb /əˈbeɪt/

abate

Meaning
to become less intense or widespread
Example
The storm began to abate after midnight.
B2 noun /rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/

reliability

Meaning
the quality of being trustworthy or performing consistently well
Example
Customers value the reliability of our service.
C1 noun /mɪkst ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/

mixed economy

Meaning
An economic system where both government and private sector operate together.
Example
Most countries today follow a mixed economy model.
C2 noun /məˈnɒkrəsi/

monocracy

Meaning
A system of government by a single person; autocracy.
Example
The nation suffered under decades of monocracy.
B2 adjective /ˈɡræf.ɪk/

Graphic

Meaning
relating to visual design; vivid; clearly described;
Example
The graphic design was colorful and eye-catching.
B2 verb /əˈsend/

ascend

Meaning
to go up or climb to a higher position; to rise
Example
The climbers will ascend the mountain at dawn.
C1 noun /rɛnˈdɪʃən/

rendition

Meaning
a performance or interpretation of a piece of art, music, or text
Example
The singer gave a moving rendition of the classic song.
A1 pronoun /wɪtʃ/

which

Meaning
used to ask about one or more items from a defined set
Example
Which one do you prefer, the red or the blue?
C2 noun /trəˈveɪl/

travail

Meaning
Painful or laborious effort; suffering or hardship.
Example
After years of travail, she finally completed her degree.
B2 noun /ˈɡlæm.ər/

Glamour

Meaning
an attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing; alluring charm
Example
The glamour of Hollywood attracted young actors from around the world.
A1 noun /wɜːrd/

word

Meaning
a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing
Example
He looked up the word in the dictionary.
C2 noun /ˈɜːrtʃɪn/

urchin

Meaning
a mischievous or poorly dressed child, often from the streets
Example
The ragged urchins played by the riverbank.
C2 verb /ʃʌk/

shuck

Meaning
To remove the outer covering, such as the husk of corn or shell of shellfish.
Example
She learned how to shuck oysters quickly.
C2 adjective /ˈbrækɪʃ/

brackish

Meaning
Slightly salty, often describing water that is a mix of fresh and seawater.
Example
The river estuary contained brackish water.
B2 verb /kənˈfɜːr/

confer

Meaning
to discuss something important or to grant or bestow something
Example
The committee will confer to decide on the new policy.
B1 adjective /ˈmʌl.tɪ.pl̩/

Multiple

Meaning
having many parts, elements, or members; numerous
Example
She suffered multiple injuries in the accident.
C2 adjective /paɪd/

pied

Meaning
having two or more different colors, typically in blotches
Example
The pied cat had black and white patches all over its body.
B1 noun /ˈɡræn(d)ˌdɔːtər/

granddaughter

Meaning
the daughter of one’s son or daughter
Example
Her granddaughter visits her every weekend.
C1 noun /ˌɪməˈrælɪti/

immorality

Meaning
the quality of being immoral; behavior that violates accepted moral standards
Example
The community condemned the immorality of the corrupt officials.
C2 noun /ˈflæt.ər.ər/

Flatterer

Meaning
a person who lavishes praise, often insincerely and in order to gain advantage
Example
The king was surrounded by flatterers who only told him what he wanted to hear.
C1 noun /ˌsɒl.jʊˈbɪləti/

solubility

Meaning
The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
Example
The solubility of salt in water is high.
C2 noun /ɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəm/

empiricism

Meaning
the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience
Example
Empiricism argues that knowledge comes from experience and observation.
C2 adjective /heɪl/

hale

Meaning
strong and healthy, especially of an elderly person
Example
Despite his age, the man remained hale and active.
C1 noun /ˈkæzəm/

chasm

Meaning
a deep fissure in the earth's surface or a wide difference between people or ideas
Example
There was a great chasm between the two political parties.
C2 noun /pɪˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/

pedology

Meaning
The study of soils in their natural environment.
Example
Pedology helps scientists understand soil fertility.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈpɑːzɪt/

deposit

Meaning
to place money in a bank account, or a sum paid in advance as security; a layer of material left naturally
Example
She deposited $500 into her savings account.
A1 verb /seɪ/

say

Meaning
to speak words; to express something in words
Example
She said hello to me.
C1 verb /praɪ/

pry

Meaning
to look closely into something; to try to find out private information
Example
She tried to pry into her neighbor’s private life.