balk
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C1 verb /bɔːk/

balk

Meaning
to hesitate or refuse to proceed or comply
Example
She balked at signing the contract without reading it fully.
C1 adjective /ˈhiːdləs/

heedless

Meaning
showing a reckless lack of care or attention
Example
He drove with heedless disregard for the rules.
B1 adverb /ˈæŋɡrɪli/

angrily

Meaning
in a manner showing anger or strong displeasure
Example
She spoke angrily when she heard the news.
A1 noun /ˈlet.ər/

Letter

Meaning
a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; a written message, typically sent in an envelope
Example
She wrote a letter to her grandmother.
A2 noun /ˈtʃer.i/

Cherry

Meaning
a small round red or black fruit with a hard seed inside
Example
She picked fresh cherries from the tree in her garden.
A2 adverb /ˈsɪə.ri.əs.li/

seriously

Meaning
in a solemn or thoughtful manner
Example
She took the matter very seriously.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səˈbɔːr.dɪ.nət/

insubordinate

Meaning
Defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
Example
The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions.
B2 noun /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt/

Apricot

Meaning
a small orange-colored fruit with a soft skin and sweet flesh
Example
The apricot tree produces sweet fruit in summer.
C1 adjective /ˈbrɪslɪŋ/

bristling

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

reticent

Meaning
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved
Example
She was reticent about her personal life.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdiːsənt/

indecent

Meaning
not conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality; improper or offensive
Example
He was warned for making an indecent remark during the meeting.
A1 adverb /waɪ/

Why

Meaning
For what reason or purpose; used to ask about the cause of something
Example
Why are you late today?
B1 noun /kənˈsjuːmər/

consumer

Meaning
A person who buys and uses goods and services.
Example
The company focuses on understanding consumer needs.
C2 noun /ˈhɒthɛd/

hothead

Meaning
a person who acts quickly and without thinking when angry
Example
He is such a hothead that he often starts arguments.
A1 noun /ˈbaɪ.sɪ.kəl/

Bicycle

Meaning
A vehicle with two wheels that you pedal to make it move
Example
She rides her bicycle to work every day.
C2 noun /ˈweɪvlət/

wavelet

Meaning
a small wave or ripple on the surface of water or another medium
Example
The pond was disturbed only by the tiny wavelets caused by the breeze.
B2 noun ɪnˌdʌstrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən

industrialization

Meaning
The development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
Example
Industrialization changed the global economy dramatically.
C2 verb /ˈnuːkliˌeɪt/

nucleate

Meaning
to form into a nucleus or bring together into a central part
Example
The droplets began to nucleate around tiny particles in the air.
C1 noun ˈdɛf.ər.əns

deference

Meaning
Humble submission and respect.
Example
He showed deference to his elderly mentor.
B1 noun /ˈbles.ɪŋ/

Blessing

Meaning
a beneficial thing for which one is grateful; divine favor
Example
Having good health is a blessing that we should cherish.
C2 noun /ˌdʒiː.niˈæl.ə.ti/

geniality

Meaning
the quality of being friendly and cheerful
Example
His geniality made him popular among his colleagues.
B2 noun /ˈkɑr.ɡoʊ ʃɪp/

Cargo ship

Meaning
a ship or vessel that carries goods and materials from one port to another
Example
The cargo ship transported containers filled with electronics across the ocean.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪp.ʃeɪp/

Shipshape

Meaning
neat and tidy; in good order; well-organized
Example
Everything was shipshape before the inspection.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtrɛntʃt/

entrenched

Meaning
Firmly established and unlikely to change.
Example
Corruption is deeply entrenched in the system.
C2 noun /skriːd/

screed

Meaning
a long, tedious piece of writing or speech; also a layer of material like cement spread on a surface
Example
He delivered a long screed against corruption.
B1 noun /ˈlɛktʃərər/

lecturer

Meaning
a person who gives lectures, especially at a college or university
Example
The lecturer explained the theory with clear examples.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɛə.rɪʃ/

garish

Meaning
Excessively bright and showy, often in a tasteless or unattractive way.
Example
The room was decorated with garish neon lights.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈvɪʃ.əs/

Vicious

Meaning
deliberately cruel or violent; having a savage nature
Example
The vicious dog attacked anyone who came near its territory.
A1 noun /kəmˈpjuːtə(r)/

computer

Meaning
an electronic device for storing and processing data
Example
I bought a new computer for my office work.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈdeɪ.ʃəs/

Audacious

Meaning
showing willingness to take bold risks; daring
Example
His audacious plan to climb the mountain without proper equipment shocked everyone.
B2 noun /ˈfaɪ.bər/

fibre

Meaning
A thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is formed; dietary material that aids digestion.
Example
Eating foods rich in fibre can improve your digestion.
C1 noun /ˈpɔː.pəs/

Porpoise

Meaning
a small toothed whale with a low triangular dorsal fin and a blunt rounded snout
Example
The porpoise jumped gracefully out of the water.
C2 verb /ˈbækbaɪt/

backbite

Meaning
to speak negatively about someone who is not present; to slander behind someone’s back
Example
It is wrong to backbite your colleagues behind their backs.
C1 noun /ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/

meteorology

Meaning
The scientific study of the atmosphere and weather.
Example
He chose to specialize in meteorology to study weather patterns.
B2 adjective; past participle /ˈɒnəd/

honoured

Meaning
treated with respect or distinction; feeling proud and privileged
Example
She felt deeply honoured to receive the award.
C1 adjective /rɪˈkʌr.ənt/

Recurrent

Meaning
happening repeatedly; occurring again and again; periodic;
Example
She has been suffering from recurrent headaches for months.
B2 noun /ˈtreɪdmɑːrk/

trademark

Meaning
a symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product
Example
The company’s logo is its trademark.
C1 verb /dɪˈɡreɪd/

degrade

Meaning
To lower in dignity, quality, or value; to treat with disrespect or to deteriorate.
Example
Harsh words can degrade a person's confidence.
C1 verb /pəˈveɪd/

pervade

Meaning
to spread through and be present in every part of something
Example
The smell of fresh flowers pervaded the entire room.
C1 adjective /ˌɛpɪˈsɒdɪk/

episodic

Meaning
Happening occasionally or in separate parts; related to episodes.
Example
Her interest in art was episodic, coming and going over the years.
C2 adjective /ˈwɪzn feɪst/

wizen-faced

Meaning
Having a dry, wrinkled, and withered face.
Example
A wizen-faced old man sat quietly in the corner.
B2 noun /tʃɔːr/

chore

Meaning
A routine task, especially a household duty.
Example
Washing the dishes is my least favorite chore.
C1 adjective /ˈswoʊlən/

swollen

Meaning
Enlarged or puffed up, usually due to injury, inflammation, or fluid accumulation
Example
Her ankle was swollen after she twisted it during the hike.
A2 noun /ˈpɑːswɜːd/

password

Meaning
a secret word or phrase used to gain access to something
Example
Make sure your password is strong and unique.
B1 noun, verb /ˈseɪ.lɪŋ/

sailing

Meaning
The act of traveling in a boat or ship using sails; the sport or activity of navigating a boat with sails.
Example
We went sailing on the lake during the summer.
B2 adjective /æpt/

apt

Meaning
Appropriate or suitable; having a natural tendency or quick to learn.
Example
She is an apt student who quickly understands new concepts.
B1 verb /daɪn/

dine

Meaning
to eat a meal, especially the main meal of the day
Example
We usually dine at seven o'clock in the evening.
B1 noun ˈpɒl.ə.si

policy

Meaning
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual; a contract of insurance.
Example
Effective policies drive national development.
A2 verb, noun /drɒp/

drop

Meaning
to let something fall; a small quantity of liquid
Example
Be careful not to drop your phone.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːrθədɑːks/

orthodox

Meaning
conforming to traditional beliefs or practices
Example
He comes from a very orthodox family.
C1 noun /ˈtriːzən/

Treason

Meaning
the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill or overthrow the sovereign or government
Example
He was accused of treason against the state.
C2 verb /əˈkɒst/

accost

Meaning
to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively
Example
The reporter was accosted by protesters outside the courthouse.
C2 noun /dɪˈdʒɛkʃən/

dejection

Meaning
a state of sadness, depression, or low spirits
Example
She sat in a state of dejection after hearing the bad news.
A2 noun /brɪk/

brick

Meaning
A rectangular block of clay or similar material used in building walls and other structures.
Example
The workers laid brick after brick to build the wall.
B2 adjective /ˌɑːrkɪˈtɛktʃərəl/

architectural

Meaning
relating to the design and style of buildings and structures
Example
The city is known for its beautiful architectural designs.
C2 noun /spɪˈlʌŋkər/

spelunker

Meaning
A person who explores caves as a hobby.
Example
The spelunker carried ropes and lights into the dark cave.
B2 verb /roʊm/

roam

Meaning
to walk or travel without a specific destination; to wander
Example
Wild animals roam freely in the forest.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl/

Unreliable

Meaning
not dependable; not able to be trusted or relied upon
Example
The old car is unreliable and breaks down frequently.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpæsəbəl/

impassable

Meaning
Impossible to travel along or over.
Example
The road became impassable after the heavy snowfall.
B1 adjective /æθˈlɛtɪk/

athletic

Meaning
physically strong, fit, and active; related to athletes or sports
Example
She has an athletic body because she exercises regularly.
C2 verb /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪt/

emaciate

Meaning
To make abnormally thin or weak, usually because of illness or lack of food.
Example
The prisoners were emaciated after months without proper food.
C2 verb /rɛst/

wrest

Meaning
to forcibly pull something from a person's grasp; to seize with effort or struggle
Example
The police had to wrest the weapon from the suspect's hand.
B2 verb /ˈʃʌfəl/

shuffle

Meaning
to walk by dragging one's feet along or without lifting them fully; to mix or rearrange
Example
He shuffled the cards before dealing them.
C2 noun /ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ piː/

Butterfly Pea

Meaning
a blue flowering plant with butterfly-shaped flowers, used to make herbal tea
Example
Butterfly pea flowers turn tea into a beautiful blue color.
C1 adjective /pərˈsɛptəbl̩/

perceptible

Meaning
Able to be noticed or recognized by the senses or the mind.
Example
There was a perceptible change in the atmosphere.
B2 noun ˈhæbɪtæt lɒs

Habitat Loss

Meaning
The destruction or disappearance of natural environments where organisms live.
Example
Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to butterflies.
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.
A2 noun /buːt/

Boot

Meaning
sturdy footwear covering the foot and ankle or lower leg
Example
He laced up his hiking boots before the mountain trek.
C1 verb /ɪnˈklaɪn/

incline

Meaning
to feel willing or favorably disposed toward something; to bend or tilt
Example
She is inclined to agree with the proposal.
C1 adjective /bɪˈnaɪn/

benign

Meaning
Gentle, kind, or not harmful (especially of a disease or tumor).
Example
The doctor assured her that the tumor was benign.
C1 noun /koʊˈhɪr.əns/

coherence

Meaning
The quality of being logical and consistent; forming a unified whole.
Example
The essay lacked coherence, making it hard to follow.
A2 adverb /ˈnɔːməli/

Normally

Meaning
in the usual way; under normal circumstances
Example
I normally wake up at 7 AM every day.
B1 noun /ɛr pəˈluːʃən/

air pollution

Meaning
The presence of harmful or poisonous substances in the air, typically caused by industrial processes, vehicle emissions, or other human activities.
Example
Air pollution from factories led to the first environmental movement.
B2 adverb /ˈmen.tə.li/

Mentally

Meaning
relating to the mind; in terms of mental processes
Example
She was mentally preparing herself for the exam.
C1 noun /kəˈnʌn.drəm/

conundrum

Meaning
A complex problem or puzzle without an easy solution
Example
The ethical conundrum puzzled the researchers.
C1 adjective /moʊˈmentəs/

Momentous

Meaning
of great importance or significance; having far-reaching consequences
Example
The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous occasion for both countries.
B2 verb kəˈlaɪd

collide

Meaning
Hit with force when moving; come into conflict or opposition.
Example
The two cars collided at the intersection.
B2 adjective /ˌæksɪˈdɛntl/

accidental

Meaning
happening by chance, unintentionally
Example
The fire was caused by an accidental spark.
A2 noun /tʌŋ/

Tongue

Meaning
the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, speaking, and swallowing; a language
Example
The doctor asked him to stick out his tongue for examination.
C1 adjective ɔːɡˈmen.tɪd

augmented

Meaning
having been made greater in size or value.
Example
The new software provided augmented reality features.
C1 adjective ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl

detrimental

Meaning
Tending to cause harm; damaging or harmful.
Example
Pollution has detrimental effects on fertility.
A2 noun /ˈbeɪsˌbɔːl/

baseball

Meaning
a sport in which two teams try to score runs by hitting a ball and running around bases
Example
He loves watching baseball games on TV.
C1 verb (past) /ˈmɛrɪtɪd/

merited

Meaning
Deserved or earned something.
Example
Her dedication merited recognition from the community.
B2 verb /ˌriːprəˈdjuːs/

reproduce

Meaning
To make a copy of something; to generate offspring.
Example
Many animals reproduce rapidly in favorable conditions.
B1 noun /ˈfaɪəˌfaɪtə/

firefighter

Meaning
a person whose job is to put out fires
Example
The firefighter saved the family from the burning building.
B1 verb /ˈsɪzər/

scissor

Meaning
to cut with or as if with scissors
Example
The tailor scissored the fabric neatly.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrdʒər/

forger

Meaning
a person who makes fake documents, artworks, or signatures
Example
The police arrested a forger who had been selling counterfeit paintings.
B2 noun /ˈkɪdni/

Kidney

Meaning
either of a pair of organs that filter waste products from the blood and produce urine
Example
Drinking plenty of water helps keep your kidneys healthy.
C2 noun /ˈbuːbi/

booby

Meaning
a foolish or gullible person; a silly individual
Example
He felt like a booby after making such a simple mistake.
B1 noun /ˈrɛzɪdəns/

residence

Meaning
a place where someone lives; a home or dwelling
Example
He recently moved to a new residence near the city center.
C1 noun /ˌɪntərˈmɪʃən/

intermission

Meaning
A pause or break, especially during a performance or event.
Example
The play had a twenty-minute intermission.
C2 noun /nɛl/

knell

Meaning
The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral; a signal of the end or failure of something.
Example
The knell of the church bell echoed through the valley at dusk.
C1 verb /səbˈmɜːrdʒ/

submerge

Meaning
to put under water or cover with liquid
Example
The floodwaters threatened to submerge the village.
B1 verb /ɪmˈbærəs/

embarrass

Meaning
to cause someone to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed
Example
His rude comment really embarrassed her in front of everyone.
C1 noun/verb /ˈætrəfi/

atrophy

Meaning
a decrease in size or wasting away of a body part, tissue, or ability due to lack of use
Example
Without regular exercise, muscles may atrophy over time.
B1 noun /ˈvɔɪ.ɪdʒ/

Voyage

Meaning
a long journey involving travel by sea or in space
Example
The ship's voyage across the Atlantic took two weeks.
C2 verb /dɪˈræsɪˌneɪt/

deracinate

Meaning
To uproot something completely; to displace people from their native environment or culture.
Example
The conflict deracinated many families from their homeland.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmɜːs/

commerce

Meaning
the activity of buying and selling goods and services
Example
International commerce has expanded significantly in recent years.
B2 noun /ˈsɛsəmi sidz/

Sesame Seeds

Meaning
small edible seeds from the sesame plant used in cooking and baking
Example
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the bread before baking.
B2 verb /ɪmˈpoʊzd/

imposed

Meaning
forced something to be accepted or put in place
Example
The government imposed new regulations on the industry.
C2 noun /ˈsuːpsɒ̃/

soupcon

Meaning
a very small quantity of something; a trace
Example
She added just a soupcon of spice to the dish.
C1 adjective ˌkwɪn.tɪˈsen.ʃəl

quintessential

Meaning
representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Example
The artist's work is the quintessential example of modernism.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪd.baʊnd/

hidebound

Meaning
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention
Example
He is too hidebound to accept new ideas.
B2 noun /ˈplæn.tɪn/

Plantain

Meaning
a large green banana-like fruit that is usually cooked before eating
Example
Plantain can be fried, boiled, or baked and is a staple food in many tropical countries.
A2 noun /ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə/

social media

Meaning
Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.
Example
Social media often causes delays.
C2 adjective /ˈæfəbəl/

affable

Meaning
friendly, easy to talk to, and pleasant in manner
Example
He is such an affable host that everyone feels comfortable at his parties.
C1 noun /ˌpɒməˈdɔːrəʊ/

pomodoro

Meaning
A time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into intervals.
Example
The Pomodoro technique improves productivity.
B2 verb /lɪk/

lick

Meaning
to pass the tongue over something; to defeat decisively
Example
The cat licked its paws clean.
C2 noun /naɪt ˈdʒæz.mɪn/

Night-jesmine

Meaning
a fragrant flowering tree that blooms at night with small white flowers
Example
The night-jasmine tree blooms only after sunset with its tiny white flowers.
C2 noun /səbˈdʌk.ʃən/

subduction

Meaning
The lateral and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate.
Example
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of intense subduction.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːrtəˈnɛt/

martinet

Meaning
A strict disciplinarian who demands rigid adherence to rules.
Example
The new manager was such a martinet that even minor infractions were punished.
B1 noun /skɑːrf/

Scarf

Meaning
a length of fabric worn around the neck or head for warmth, protection, or fashion
Example
She wrapped a warm scarf around her neck in the cold weather.
C1 noun /ˈkliː.vər/

Cleaver

Meaning
a heavy knife with a broad blade used for chopping meat or vegetables
Example
The chef used a cleaver to chop the chicken bones.
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 adverb /ˈvɛrɪli/

verily

Meaning
truly; certainly; without a doubt
Example
Verily, I say unto you, this is the truth.
A2 noun /ˈspaɪ.dər/

Spider

Meaning
a small creature with eight legs that makes webs to catch insects
Example
The spider caught a fly in its web.
B2 verb /ɪnˈveɪd/

invade

Meaning
to enter a place or country forcefully, especially as an enemy
Example
The army invaded the neighboring country.
A2 adjective /ʃaɪ/

Shy

Meaning
nervous or timid in the company of other people
Example
The shy student rarely spoke up in class discussions.
B2 adjective /ˈsændi/

Sandy

Meaning
covered with sand; containing sand; having the texture of sand
Example
The sandy beach stretched for miles along the coast.
C1 noun /ˈwɪmzi/

whimsy

Meaning
playful or fanciful behavior or humor
Example
Her stories were full of whimsy and imagination.