by-law
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C1 noun /ˈbaɪ.lɔː/

by-law

Meaning
A rule made by a company, organization, or local authority to control the actions of its members.
Example
The city council passed a new by-law regulating street vendors.
C1 noun /fɪkˈseɪ.ʃən/

fixation

Meaning
An obsessive interest in or feeling about someone or something.
Example
His fixation on perfectionism delayed project completion.
C2 verb /ˈbleɪzən/

blazon

Meaning
to display prominently or vividly
Example
The slogan was blazoned across the banner in bold letters.
B1 adjective /juːˈniːk/

Unique

Meaning
being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
Example
Every snowflake is unique in its pattern.
C1 noun/verb /ˈkwɒr.i/

quarry

Meaning
A place where stone or minerals are extracted; also means prey when hunted.
Example
The workers quarried limestone from the hill.
C1 adverb /ˈhɑr.tɪ.li/

Heartily

Meaning
in a sincere and enthusiastic manner; wholeheartedly
Example
She heartily welcomed her guests to the party.
A2 noun /ʃiːp/

sheep

Meaning
a farm animal with thick wool that is raised for its wool, meat, and milk
Example
The farmer keeps a large flock of sheep.
B2 noun /sloʊp/

Slope

Meaning
an inclined surface; a piece of ground that is not level
Example
We walked up the steep slope of the mountain.
C1 verb /ˈskʌr.i/

scurry

Meaning
To move quickly with short, hurried steps.
Example
The mice scurried across the kitchen floor when the lights turned on.
C1 adjective /spɑːrs/

sparse

Meaning
thinly scattered or distributed; not dense or abundant
Example
Vegetation was sparse in the desert.
B2 verb /ˈɪnəveɪt/

innovate

Meaning
To introduce new methods, ideas, or products.
Example
The company must innovate to stay ahead of its competitors.
B2 noun /ˌpɜː.sɪˈvɪə.rəns/

perseverance

Meaning
Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
Example
His perseverance helped him achieve his dreams.
B2 noun /trænˈzækʃən/

transaction

Meaning
an instance of buying or selling something; a business deal or exchange
Example
Every online transaction is recorded for security purposes.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊnsələr/

counsellor

Meaning
a person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems; an advisor
Example
She spoke to a counsellor to get advice about her career.
B2 verb /kɜːrb/

curb

Meaning
to restrain, control, or limit something
Example
The government took steps to curb inflation.
A2 noun /ˈæk.ʃən/

Action

Meaning
the process of doing something; something that is done
Example
We need to take action to solve this problem.
B2 noun /kənˈvɜː.ʃən/

Conversion

Meaning
The process of changing or causing something to change from one form to another.
Example
High website conversion rates indicate effective marketing.
C2 noun /pluːˈtɒkrəsi/

plutocracy

Meaning
a system of government where the wealthy hold power
Example
The country was ruled as a plutocracy.
C1 noun /fɪlθ/

filth

Meaning
dirty or disgusting matter; moral corruption
Example
The streets were full of filth after the storm.
C1 adjective /ˌnɒn ɪɡˈzɪstənt/

non-existent

Meaning
not real or not present; lacking existence
Example
The supposed evidence turned out to be non-existent.
A1 noun /piːs/

piece

Meaning
a portion or part of something
Example
He gave me a piece of cake.
C2 adjective /ˈliːwərd/

leeward

Meaning
On or toward the sheltered side away from the wind.
Example
They built their camp on the leeward side of the hill.
C1 noun /bɒɡ/

bog

Meaning
an area of wet, spongy ground; a swamp or marsh
Example
The hikers got stuck in a bog.
B2 verb /briːd/

breed

Meaning
to produce young animals; to reproduce; to keep animals for producing young
Example
They breed horses on their farm.
C2 noun /ˈbloʊˌhɑrd/

blowhard

Meaning
a person who brags a lot or talks in a boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the blowhard at the party because he wouldn't stop bragging.
C1 noun /ˈpɛnənt/

pennant

Meaning
A tapering flag used for signaling or as an emblem of victory or achievement.
Example
The team raised the championship pennant proudly.
C2 adjective /ˌtɛmɪˈrɛəriəs/

temerarious

Meaning
Reckless or rash; showing a lack of caution.
Example
It was a temerarious decision to cross the river during the storm.
C2 noun /ˈstriːmlɪt/

streamlet

Meaning
a small stream; a tiny brook or rivulet
Example
A streamlet flowed through the meadow.
B2 verb /dɪˈspætʃ/

dispatch

Meaning
to send off to a destination or for a purpose
Example
The company dispatched aid to the flood victims.
B2 noun /pəˈsjuːt/

pursuit

Meaning
the act of chasing or trying to achieve something
Example
He dedicated his life to the pursuit of happiness.
B1 noun /ˈɛər.kræft/

aircraft

Meaning
A vehicle, such as an airplane or helicopter, that can fly in the air.
Example
The military aircraft flew over the city.
C1 verb /skɪmp/

skimp

Meaning
to use less of something than is necessary in order to save money or effort
Example
Don’t skimp on quality when buying a new laptop.
B2 noun /ɡrɪp/

Grip

Meaning
a firm hold or grasp; the power of holding something firmly; a handle or handhold
Example
The rock climber lost his grip and fell several feet before the safety rope caught him.
B2 adjective /pəˈluː.tɪd/

polluted

Meaning
Contaminated with harmful or poisonous substances.
Example
Polluted air causes severe health problems.
C1 adjective /ˈreɪdiənt/

radiant

Meaning
Shining brightly; expressing great happiness.
Example
She looked radiant in her wedding dress.
B2 noun /kraɪˈtɪəriə/

criteria

Meaning
Standards or principles by which something is judged or decided.
Example
The candidates were evaluated based on strict criteria.
B2 adjective /kræmpt/

cramped

Meaning
uncomfortably small or restricted
Example
The room was so cramped that we could barely move.
B2 noun /ˈtreɪ.tər/

Traitor

Meaning
a person who betrays someone or something, such as a friend, cause, or principle
Example
The spy was branded a traitor to his country after being caught.
C2 noun /əˈprəʊ.bri.əm/

opprobrium

Meaning
Harsh criticism or public disgrace.
Example
The scandal brought opprobrium on the politician.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈæl.əˌbæs.tər/

alabaster

Meaning
A fine-grained, usually white variety of gypsum, often used for carving; also describes something smooth and pale like alabaster.
Example
The statue was carved from pure alabaster.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑːrmləs/

Harmless

Meaning
not able or likely to cause harm; innocent; safe
Example
The snake looks dangerous but it's actually harmless.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪkaʊnt/

viscount

Meaning
A British nobleman ranking below an earl and above a baron.
Example
The viscount inherited the estate from his father.
C1 noun /ˈwʊd.ən ˈsæn.dəl/

Wooden sandal

Meaning
a type of footwear made of wood, typically worn as traditional shoes
Example
She wore wooden sandals to the traditional ceremony.
B2 adjective /rɪˈliːvd/

relieved

Meaning
feeling happy and less worried after something stressful has been removed or resolved
Example
She felt relieved after hearing the good news.
C1 adjective /əˈfɜːrmətɪv/

affirmative

Meaning
expressing agreement, approval, or a positive response
Example
She gave an affirmative answer to the proposal.
C2 verb /ˈsɪmpər/

simper

Meaning
to smile in a silly, self-conscious, or affected way
Example
She simpered at his compliment, clearly embarrassed.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈhɛrənt/

inherent

Meaning
Existing in something as a natural, permanent, or essential quality.
Example
There are inherent risks in extreme sports.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈstɛdi/

unsteady

Meaning
not firm or stable; likely to change or fail
Example
She felt unsteady on her feet after the long journey.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪsrɔɪ/

viceroy

Meaning
a ruler exercising authority on behalf of a sovereign in a colony or province
Example
The viceroy governed the colony in the king's name.
A1 verb /tʃuːz/

choose

Meaning
to pick or select from several options
Example
I always choose healthy food options.
C2 noun /ˈɪnroʊd/

inroad

Meaning
An advance or significant progress, often at the expense of something else.
Example
The company made significant inroads into the mobile market.
C1 noun /ɪkˈspɛktənsi/

expectancy

Meaning
the state of expecting something; anticipation or likelihood
Example
There was a sense of expectancy in the room before the results were announced.
B1 adjective /ˈvaɪə.lət/

Violet

Meaning
of a bluish-purple color
Example
She wore a beautiful violet dress to the party.
B2 adjective /ˌfɪl.əˈsɒf.ɪ.kəl/

philosophical

Meaning
relating to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
Example
She maintained a calm and philosophical attitude during the crisis.
C1 verb /ˈmæsəkər/

massacre

Meaning
to kill a large number of people brutally; to defeat decisively
Example
The army massacred the innocent civilians.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːr.ɡɪʤ/

Mortgage

Meaning
a legal agreement by which a bank lends money to buy property
Example
They took out a mortgage to buy their first house.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.trɪks/

matrix

Meaning
An environment or structure in which something develops; also a mathematical array of numbers.
Example
The cultural matrix shaped his worldview.
C2 adjective /ˈfæn.sɪ.ləs/

fanciless

Meaning
without imagination or creativity; plain or ordinary
Example
His drawings were simple and fanciless.
C1 adjective /ˌrɛmɪˈnɪsənt/

reminiscent

Meaning
Tending to remind one of something; suggestive of something in the past.
Example
The smell of rain is reminiscent of my childhood in the village.
B2 adjective /blænd/

bland

Meaning
lacking strong features, flavor, or character; dull or uninteresting
Example
The soup was too bland for my taste.
A1 noun /ˈtɔɪlət/

toilet

Meaning
a fixture used for the disposal of human waste
Example
The public toilet was clean and well maintained.
B2 noun /ˈlæv.ən.dər/

Lavender

Meaning
a fragrant purple flowering plant used in perfumes and aromatherapy
Example
The lavender field filled the air with its sweet, calming fragrance.
B2 verb /əˈpɔɪnt/

appoint

Meaning
to choose someone for a job or position
Example
The board will appoint a new director.
C2 noun /fluː/

flue

Meaning
A pipe or channel for smoke and waste gases produced by a fire, gas heater, or power station.
Example
The chimney flue needs to be cleaned regularly.
B2 noun ɪnˈsɛntɪvz

incentives

Meaning
Things that motivate or encourage one to do something.
Example
Tax incentives are used to encourage investment in renewable energy.
C2 verb /dɪˈmɜːr/

demur

Meaning
to raise doubts, objections, or show reluctance
Example
She agreed to help without demur.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
C2 noun /ˈæltruɪst/

altruist

Meaning
a person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Example
He is an altruist who always puts others' needs before his own.
B1 noun /dɪˈtɛktɪv/

detective

Meaning
a person whose job is to investigate and solve crimes
Example
The detective solved the mystery in just two days.
C1 noun /stæɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

stagnation

Meaning
A state of inactivity or lack of growth, especially in an economy.
Example
High unemployment led to economic stagnation.
A2 noun /ˈsɪz.ərz/

Scissors

Meaning
a cutting instrument with two sharp blades that are joined and work against each other
Example
She used scissors to cut the paper into small pieces.
B1 adjective /əˈbiː.di.ənt/

Obedient

Meaning
willing to comply with orders or instructions; submissive
Example
The obedient student always follows the teacher's instructions.
B2 noun /ˈdɪdʒɪt/

digit

Meaning
a numeral from 0 to 9; also a finger or toe
Example
You must enter a four-digit code to unlock the phone.
C1 noun ˈʌp.raɪ.zɪŋ

uprising

Meaning
An act of resistance or rebellion; a revolt against an authority or government.
Example
The uprising marked the beginning of the revolution.
A2 noun /ˈsen.tʃər.i/

Century

Meaning
a period of one hundred years; a score of one hundred in cricket
Example
The ancient castle has stood for more than five centuries.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.sɔːr/

Eyesore

Meaning
something that is very ugly and unpleasant to look at
Example
The abandoned building has become an eyesore in the neighborhood.
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 ˈɡræn.dʒər

Grandeur

Meaning
Magnificence, majesty, splendor; impressive beauty and scale.
Example
The grandeur of the Colosseum attracts millions of visitors.
C1 verb /struː/

strew

Meaning
to scatter or spread things untidily over a surface or area
Example
Clothes were strewn across the floor.
C1 noun /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/

imagery

Meaning
visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work
Example
The poet's use of imagery brought the scene to life.
C1 verb /ˈɡlɪsən/

glisten

Meaning
To shine with a sparkling light, often when wet or polished.
Example
The grass glistened with morning dew.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːr.teɪ/ or /fɔːrt/

forte

Meaning
a strong ability or talent; something one does particularly well
Example
Cooking is definitely her forte.
A2 adjective /ˈfroʊzən/

frozen

Meaning
preserved by being made extremely cold; turned into ice
Example
The lake was completely frozen during winter.
A2 adjective /ˈbroʊkən/

Broken

Meaning
damaged; not working; fractured
Example
The broken window needs to be replaced immediately.
B1 noun /kəˈnæl/

canal

Meaning
an artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or drainage
Example
The canal was built to help transport goods across the region.
A2 noun /ˈkʌm.fərt/

Comfort

Meaning
a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint; relief from distress or anxiety
Example
The soft sofa provided great comfort after a long day at work.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪk.tʃər/

stricture

Meaning
a restriction or limitation; a critical remark
Example
The new law placed a severe stricture on free speech.
C1 noun /ˈpɛndənt/

pendant

Meaning
a piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck
Example
She wore a silver pendant around her neck.
B2 noun rɪˈtɛnʃən

retention

Meaning
The continued possession, use, or control of something
Example
The retention of information is essential for academic success.
A2 noun /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/

possibility

Meaning
something that may happen or be the case; a chance that something exists or might occur
Example
There is a strong possibility of rain tomorrow.
C1 verb /ˈnuːtər/

neuter

Meaning
To remove the reproductive organs of an animal; or having no gender.
Example
They decided to neuter their cat to prevent more kittens.
C2 noun /ˈpɒm.əl/

pommel

Meaning
the rounded knob on the handle of a sword or saddle
Example
He gripped the sword firmly by the pommel.
C1 noun dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən

domestication

Meaning
The process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or for farm produce.
Example
Domestication of animals has been crucial for human survival.
B2 noun /ˈfɪŋ.ɡər.prɪnt/

Fingerprint

Meaning
an impression or mark made on a surface by a person's fingertip; unique identification pattern
Example
The police found his fingerprints on the door handle at the crime scene.
B2 noun ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈbæləns

ecological balance

Meaning
A state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms.
Example
Maintaining ecological balance is essential for a sustainable planet.
B2 noun /ˈɡɑːr.di.ən/

Guardian

Meaning
a defender, protector, or keeper; a person legally responsible for the care of someone unable to manage their own affairs
Example
After her parents died, her uncle became her legal guardian and took care of her.
C2 noun /ˈdəʊ.lər/

dolor

Meaning
A state of great sorrow or distress.
Example
The nation was in deep dolor after the tragedy.
C1 noun /vɪnˈjɛt/

vignette

Meaning
A short, descriptive piece of writing or a brief scene.
Example
The author included a poignant vignette in the introduction of the book.
C1 verb /rɪˈfjuːt/

refute

Meaning
To prove a statement, argument, or theory to be false or invalid.
Example
The lawyer refuted the witness's testimony with solid evidence.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdnəns/

ordnance

Meaning
Military supplies including weapons, ammunition, and combat equipment.
Example
The army stored ordnance in a secure facility outside the city.
C2 adjective /ˈvɪsɪd/

viscid

Meaning
Having a thick, sticky consistency.
Example
The sap had a viscid texture that stuck to his hands.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈwel/

Unwell

Meaning
not in good health; feeling sick or ill
Example
She has been feeling unwell since yesterday.
C2 verb /əˈkuːtə/

accoutre

Meaning
to dress or equip, especially in something impressive or elaborate
Example
The knight was accoutred in shining armor.
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.
A1 adjective /ˈʌðər/

other

Meaning
used to refer to something different from the one already mentioned or known
Example
I don't want this one, I will take the other one.
C1 adjective ˈɒb.stɪ.nət

obstinate

Meaning
Refusing to change one's mind or accept others' advice easily.
Example
He remained obstinate despite the logical arguments.
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.
B1 noun /ˈbeɪ.kɪŋ ˈpaʊ.dər/

Baking Powder

Meaning
a dry chemical leavening agent used to increase volume and lighten texture in baked goods
Example
The recipe calls for two teaspoons of baking powder.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtrɛntʃt/

entrenched

Meaning
Firmly established and unlikely to change.
Example
Corruption is deeply entrenched in the system.
C1 adjective /ˌpæn.əˈmer.ɪ.kən/

Pan-American

Meaning
relating to all the countries of North, Central, and South America
Example
The Pan-American Games bring together athletes from across the continent.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒɪg.ərd/

Jiggered

Meaning
surprised or astonished; confused or puzzled
Example
I'll be jiggered if I know what happened here.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
B2 adjective /ˈpær.ə.lel/

Parallel

Meaning
side by side and having the same distance continuously between them; similar or corresponding
Example
The two roads run parallel to each other for several miles.
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.
C1 adjective /kəmˈplaɪənt/

compliant

Meaning
Willing to agree with or follow rules, requests, or demands.
Example
She was compliant with all the safety requirements.
C2 noun /ˌsɪŋ.krəˈnɪs.ɪ.ti/

synchronicity

Meaning
The meaningful coincidence of two or more events that are not planned.
Example
The synchronicity of their thoughts amazed everyone.
C1 adjective /ˈkɔːrdiəl/

Cordial

Meaning
warmly friendly; sincere; heartfelt
Example
She gave us a cordial welcome at the front door.
A2 noun əˈɡriː.mənt

agreement

Meaning
A negotiated arrangement between parties as to a course of action.
Example
The agreement was accepted by all countries.
C1 noun /ˈjuː.fə.mɪ.zəm/

euphemism

Meaning
A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered too harsh or direct; polite expression for something unpleasant.
Example
The phrase "passed away" is a euphemism for "died".
B2 noun /ˈkɒmpoʊst/

compost

Meaning
decayed organic matter used as fertilizer
Example
The gardener added compost to enrich the soil.