Calamity
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C1 noun /kəˈlæm.ɪ.ti/

Calamity

Meaning
an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster
Example
The earthquake was a terrible calamity that affected thousands of families.
C2 noun /kænˈtoʊnmənt/

Cantonment

Meaning
a military base or permanent military station
Example
The soldiers lived in the cantonment outside the city.
C1 noun /ʃæˈtoʊ/

chateau

Meaning
a large French country house or castle
Example
They stayed in a beautiful chateau in France.
B1 verb /kənˈtɪnjuɪŋ/

continuing

Meaning
to keep doing something without stopping
Example
They are continuing their journey despite the rain.
C2 adjective /krʌˈsteɪʃəs/

crustaceous

Meaning
relating to or having a hard shell like a crustacean
Example
The scientist studied the crustaceous fossils.
C1 noun /tʃæmp/

champ

Meaning
an informal word for champion or winner.
Example
He is the new champ of the boxing tournament.
B1 noun /kəmˈpleɪnt/

complaint

Meaning
a statement that something is wrong or not satisfactory
Example
The manager received a complaint from a customer about poor service.
B2 adjective /ˈkaʊntləs/

countless

Meaning
too many to be counted; innumerable
Example
There are countless stars in the sky.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃuː.zi/

Choosey/Choosy

Meaning
very careful in choosing; selective; particular about what one likes or accepts
Example
He's very choosy about the restaurants where he eats.
B2 adjective /kəmˈpoʊzd/

composed

Meaning
calm and in control of oneself; made up of or formed from
Example
He remained composed even under pressure.
B1 noun /ˈkɒnflɪkt/

conflict

Meaning
A serious disagreement or argument, often a prolonged one.
Example
The two countries are trying to resolve the conflict through negotiations.
B1 noun /ˌkænsəˈleɪʃən/

cancellation

Meaning
the act of stopping something that was planned or scheduled; the act of nullifying or invalidating something
Example
The airline announced the cancellation of several flights due to bad weather.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/

confiscate

Meaning
to take something away officially, often as a punishment
Example
The teacher confiscated the student's phone during class.
C1 noun /kɑːrˈtɒɡrəfər/

cartographer

Meaning
A person who makes maps.
Example
The cartographer carefully drew the map of the new territory.
C1 verb /ˈkʌvət/

covet

Meaning
to desire something belonging to someone else
Example
He coveted his neighbor's new car.
B1 noun /ˈkær.ə.væn/

Caravan

Meaning
a group of people traveling together, especially through desert areas
Example
The merchant caravan crossed the desert with camels carrying precious goods.
B2 adjective /keɪˈɒtɪk/

Chaotic

Meaning
in a state of complete confusion and disorder
Example
The situation became chaotic after the announcement.
B2 verb /kənˈveɪ/

convey

Meaning
To communicate or make known; to transport or carry from one place to another.
Example
The teacher conveys the lesson clearly to students.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/

cosmopolitan

Meaning
familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
Example
He has a cosmopolitan outlook due to his extensive travels.
B1 adjective /ˈkʌtɪŋ/

cutting

Meaning
sharp or severe, often used to describe remarks or actions
Example
Her cutting remarks made everyone feel uncomfortable.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈkɔːrpərəl/

corporal

Meaning
relating to the body; a low-ranking officer in the military
Example
He suffered a corporal punishment for his mistake.
C2 noun /ˈkloʊtʃər/

cloture

Meaning
a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote.
Example
The Senate invoked cloture to end the lengthy debate.
B1 noun /kənˈsʌltənt/

consultant

Meaning
A professional who provides expert advice in a particular area.
Example
The company hired a consultant to improve its marketing strategy.
B2 verb /kəmˈplaɪ/

comply

Meaning
to act in accordance with a rule, request, or law
Example
All companies must comply with safety regulations.
B1 noun /ˈkwaɪər/

choir

Meaning
An organized group of singers, typically performing in church services or concerts.
Example
The choir sang beautifully during the ceremony.
A2 noun/verb /kənˈsɜːrn/

concern

Meaning
to relate to or affect; a matter of worry or interest
Example
Environmental issues concern all of us.
B2 verb /saɪt/

cite

Meaning
to quote; to mention as an example or proof
Example
The lawyer cites relevant case law.
B2 verb /ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪkt/

contradict

Meaning
to say or show the opposite of something that has been said or believed
Example
His actions contradict his words.
C2 adjective /ˌkloʊs ˈhɔːld/

close-hauled

Meaning
of a sailing ship, sailing as nearly as possible towards the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Example
The yacht was close-hauled as it cut through the waves.
B1 adjective /kənˈsɪdərəbl/

considerable

Meaning
large in amount, size, or importance
Example
The project required a considerable amount of time and money.
B2 noun; verb /ˈkætəlɒɡ/

catalogue

Meaning
a complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or systematic order; to make a systematic list of items
Example
The library decided to catalogue all new books digitally.
B1 noun /kəmˈpænjən/

companion

Meaning
a person or animal you spend time with or travel with
Example
He was my companion during the long journey.
C1 noun /kəmˈpʌl.ʃən/

Compulsion

Meaning
the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
Example
He felt a strong compulsion to check his phone every few minutes.
C2 adjective /ˈkræbɪd/

crabbed

Meaning
difficult to read or understand; ill-tempered
Example
His handwriting was crabbed and almost illegible.
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.
B1 noun kəˈmɪt.mənt

commitment

Meaning
A promise or firm decision to do something; the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity.
Example
The president reaffirmed his commitment to environmental protection.
C2 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈmænd/

countermand

Meaning
to revoke or cancel an order or command
Example
The general countermanded the previous orders immediately.
B1 adverb /ˈtʃɪəfəli/

cheerfully

Meaning
in a happy and positive manner; with visible good spirits
Example
She greeted everyone cheerfully despite the long day.
B1 adjective /ˈkeɪ.pə.bəl/

Capable

Meaning
having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve something; competent
Example
She is capable of handling complex problems.
B1 verb kleɪmz

claims

Meaning
To take someone's life, to cause death
Example
Workplace pollution claims thousands of lives annually.
C2 noun /kæd/

Cad

Meaning
a man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women
Example
Everyone at the party avoided him because he was known to be a cad.
B2 noun ˌkʌl.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən

cultivation

Meaning
The practice of preparing and using land for crops or gardening; the action of improving or developing something.
Example
The cultivation of organic crops has increased worldwide.
B2 verb /kənˈsiːl/

conceal

Meaning
to hide something or keep it secret
Example
He tried to conceal his disappointment behind a smile.
C1 noun /ˈkɒntrəbænd/

contraband

Meaning
goods that are illegal to import, export, or possess
Example
The police seized a shipment of contraband cigarettes.
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.
B2 noun /ˈkɔːtruːm/

courtroom

Meaning
a room in which legal cases are heard and decided by a judge
Example
The witness was called to testify in the courtroom.
B2 verb /ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd/

comprehend

Meaning
to understand or grasp the meaning of something
Example
It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the disaster.
C1 adjective /ˈkrɪm.zən/

Crimson

Meaning
a deep purplish-red color
Example
The crimson sunset painted the sky with beautiful shades.
C2 noun /ˌkæt ə ˈnaɪn ˌteɪlz/

cat-o-nine-tails

Meaning
A whip with nine knotted cords, historically used for punishment.
Example
The sailor feared the cat-o-nine-tails more than the storm at sea.
C1 noun /ˈkæv.əl.ri/

Cavalry

Meaning
soldiers who fight on horseback; the part of an army formerly composed of troops on horseback
Example
The cavalry charged across the field with great speed.
C2 verb /ˈkɒr.ʌ.skeɪt/

coruscate

Meaning
to sparkle or flash brightly
Example
The fireworks coruscated across the night sky.
A2 adjective /kənˈfjuːzd/

confused

Meaning
unable to think clearly; uncertain or puzzled
Example
She felt confused by the complicated instructions.
C2 verb /kəˈdʒoʊl/

cajole

Meaning
To persuade someone to do something by flattery or gentle urging.
Example
She managed to cajole her friend into joining the trip.
B2 noun /kənˈstreɪnt/

constraint

Meaning
a limitation or restriction
Example
Time is the biggest constraint in completing the project.
B2 verb /kənˈsɜːrv/

conserve

Meaning
to protect something from harm or destruction; to use resources carefully to avoid waste
Example
We must conserve water during the dry season.
B1 noun ˈkʌrənsi

currency

Meaning
A system of money in general use in a particular country; the fact or quality of being generally accepted or in use.
Example
Dual currency systems were proposed.
C2 verb /ˈkævəl/

cavil

Meaning
to make petty or unnecessary objections
Example
She caviled at every detail of the plan.
B2 adjective /kruːd/

crude

Meaning
in a natural or raw state; not yet processed or refined
Example
The crude oil is processed into fuel and chemicals.
C2 noun /ˈkriːdoʊ/

credo

Meaning
A statement of the beliefs or aims that guide someone's actions.
Example
Honesty has always been the central credo of his life.
C1 noun /krʌst/

crust

Meaning
the hard outer surface of something, especially bread or the Earth's outer layer
Example
He cut off the crust of the bread before eating.
A2 adjective /ˈkruːəl/

cruel

Meaning
Willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.
Example
It was cruel to make fun of the injured boy.
C2 verb /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːrt/

controvert

Meaning
to dispute or argue against; to contradict
Example
The scientist controversed the previous research findings.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊdə/

coda

Meaning
the concluding passage of a piece of music or a literary work
Example
The novel ends with a reflective coda that ties up the themes.
C1 verb /siːd/

cede

Meaning
to give up power, territory, or rights to another
Example
The country ceded territory after losing the war.
B1 noun /tʃɪl/

Chill

Meaning
an unpleasant feeling of coldness; a feeling of fear or anxiety; to relax
Example
There was a chill in the air as autumn approached.
B1 verb /kənˈsɪst/

consist

Meaning
to be made up or composed of certain parts or elements
Example
The committee consists of five members.
C2 verb /kɔːk/

calk

Meaning
To make a boat or ship watertight by filling seams or cracks.
Example
The workers calked the seams of the old boat to prevent leaks.
C2 noun /kɒɡˈnoʊmən/

cognomen

Meaning
A family name or surname; an additional name or nickname.
Example
His cognomen became widely known in literary circles.
C2 noun /kəˈrɑːləri/

corollary

Meaning
a direct or natural consequence or result
Example
One corollary of the new policy was increased public awareness.
B2 noun /ˈkɒl.ər/

Collar

Meaning
a band of material around the neck; in jewelry context, a close-fitting necklace
Example
She wore an elegant pearl collar to the formal dinner.
C1 noun /ʃəˈmiːz/

Chemise

Meaning
a woman's loose-fitting undergarment or dress hanging straight from the shoulders
Example
The vintage chemise was made of delicate lace and silk.
B1 adjective /ˈtʃaɪl.dɪʃ/

Childish

Meaning
immature and silly; behaving in a way that is typical of a child but inappropriate for an adult
Example
His childish behavior during the meeting was quite embarrassing.
C1 noun, verb /kriːs/

crease

Meaning
a line or fold produced on paper, cloth, or other material; to make a fold or wrinkle
Example
She ironed the shirt carefully to remove every crease.
C1 noun /kəmˈprɛʃn̩/

compression

Meaning
The act of pressing or squeezing something into a smaller space.
Example
File compression helps reduce storage requirements.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtrɪfjʊɡəl/

centrifugal

Meaning
Moving or tending to move away from a center.
Example
The centrifugal force pushes the clothes to the sides of the washing machine.
B2 noun /ˈkænən/

Cannon

Meaning
large heavy gun that fires cannonballs or shells
Example
The castle was defended by several large cannons.
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.
B2 verb /kənˈfaɪn/

confine

Meaning
to restrict someone or something within certain limits; to keep someone in a closed space
Example
The prisoner was confined to his cell for 23 hours a day.
B1 adjective, noun /ˈkɔːrpərət/

corporate

Meaning
relating to a corporation or large company; united as a single body
Example
Corporate social responsibility is important for modern businesses.
C2 adjective /kəˈnjuːbiəl/

connubial

Meaning
Relating to marriage or the relationship of a married couple.
Example
They celebrated their connubial bliss with a honeymoon trip.
C1 noun kəˈrəʊ.ʒən

corrosion

Meaning
The gradual destruction of materials by chemical or electrochemical reaction, especially of metals by oxidation.
Example
Corrosion in pipes leads to leakage.
B2 adjective /ˈkɒnʃəs/

conscious

Meaning
Aware of and responding to one's surroundings; awake.
Example
She was fully conscious after the surgery.
C1 noun /kənˈtʃɛrtoʊ/

concerto

Meaning
a musical composition for one or more solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra
Example
She played a Mozart concerto with the orchestra.
C1 adjective /kənˈdʒiːniəl/

congenial

Meaning
pleasant and friendly because of having similar interests or qualities
Example
They found the café a congenial place to meet and talk.
C2 noun /ˈkʌlvərt/

culvert

Meaning
a tunnel or drain that carries water under a road or railway
Example
The heavy rainwater flowed through the culvert under the bridge.
A1 noun /ˈkɒf.i/

Coffee

Meaning
a hot drink made from roasted coffee beans
Example
I need a cup of coffee to start my morning.
C1 noun kənˈfɔː.mə.ti

conformity

Meaning
Compliance with standards, rules, or laws. Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions.
Example
Strict conformity to the rules ensures order in society.
B2 noun /ˈkæməˌflɑːʒ/

camouflage

Meaning
the act of hiding or disguising something by making it blend with its surroundings
Example
The soldiers used camouflage to hide from the enemy.
A1 noun/verb /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

cooking

Meaning
the process of preparing food by heating it
Example
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies.
A1 verb /kɔːst/

cost

Meaning
to have a price of; to require payment; to cause loss
Example
This book will cost twenty dollars.
C2 adjective /ˈkæloʊ/

callow

Meaning
Inexperienced and immature.
Example
The callow intern made several mistakes on his first day.
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 verb /ˈkrɪŋ.kəl/

crinkle

Meaning
To form small creases or wrinkles.
Example
She crinkled her nose at the strange smell.
B1 noun /ˈkʊkər/

cooker

Meaning
a device or appliance used for cooking food; a person or thing that cooks
Example
The rice cooker makes cooking meals much easier.
C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnsɔːrt/

consort

Meaning
To associate with someone, typically with disapproval; also, a spouse of a reigning monarch.
Example
He was criticized for consorting with criminals.
A2 noun /kənˈtrəʊl/

control

Meaning
The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.
Example
Proper control measures are necessary.
A2 adjective kɑːm

calm

Meaning
Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions; peaceful.
Example
The calm environment supports healing.
B1 noun /kəmˈpɛtɪtər/

competitor

Meaning
a person, team, or company that competes with others
Example
The company lowered its prices to beat its main competitor.
B2 noun /kɜːrv/

Curve

Meaning
a line or outline that gradually deviates from being straight; a bend or turn in a road or path
Example
The driver slowed down as he approached the sharp curve in the mountain road.
C2 noun /ˈtʃaɪ.nə roʊz/

China-rose

Meaning
a tropical flowering plant with large, showy flowers in various colors
Example
The bright red China-rose flowers decorated the entrance of the house.
C2 noun /kəˈnɑːrd/

canard

Meaning
a false or unfounded story or rumor
Example
The article turned out to be nothing more than a canard.
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.
B2 noun /kleɪ/

clay

Meaning
a natural material made of fine earth that becomes hard when baked, used for making pottery
Example
The artist molded the wet clay into a beautiful vase.
B2 noun/verb /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

complement

Meaning
something that completes or goes well with something; to add something that enhances or improves
Example
The scarf complements her outfit perfectly.
C2 noun ˈkɑː.dərz

cadres

Meaning
A small group of people specially trained for a particular purpose or profession; a group of activists in a communist or other political organization.
Example
There are 26 cadres under BPSC.
B1 noun /ˈkriːtʃər/

creature

Meaning
A living being, especially an animal.
Example
The forest is full of strange creatures.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrnɪs/

cornice

Meaning
an ornamental molding around the wall of a room just below the ceiling
Example
The elegant cornice added a classical touch to the living room.
C1 noun /ˈkændɪdnəs/

candidness

Meaning
The quality of being open, honest, and straightforward
Example
Her candidness during the meeting impressed everyone.
C2 verb /kənˈtɛm/

contemn

Meaning
to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt
Example
He would never contemn honest work, no matter how humble.
C2 adjective /ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃ/

churlish

Meaning
Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
Example
It would be churlish to refuse her kind invitation.
B2 adjective /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

cunning

Meaning
Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion; cleverness in a tricky way.
Example
The cunning fox tricked the farmer.
B2 noun /kənˈstɪtʃ.u.ənts/

constituents

Meaning
Components or elements used to create something.
Example
Proteins and vitamins are essential constituents of a healthy diet.
B1 verb /ˈkæptʃər/

capture

Meaning
to take control of something or someone by force
Example
The soldiers managed to capture the enemy base.
C1 noun /kliːk/

clique

Meaning
a small, exclusive group of people
Example
The students formed a clique that excluded others.
B2 noun /ˈklɪərəns/

clearance

Meaning
official permission or authorization; the removal of something unwanted; the distance between two objects
Example
The pilot received clearance to land the plane.
C1 verb /ˈsɪvɪlaɪz/

civilize

Meaning
to bring a society or group to a more developed, organized, or socially acceptable state; to educate and refine behavior
Example
Education can help civilize communities by promoting shared values and respect.
B2 adjective /kənˈdɪʃ.ən.əl/

Conditional

Meaning
dependent on certain conditions; not absolute
Example
The job offer is conditional upon passing the background check.
C2 noun /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/

contrivance

Meaning
a device or plan that is cleverly or artificially created
Example
The clock was an intricate contrivance of gears and springs.
C1 noun /kənˈsep.ʃən/

Conception

Meaning
the forming of an idea or plan; the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm; the action of conceiving
Example
The conception of this innovative project took several months of brainstorming.
A2 noun /ˈkʌp.bɔːrd/

Cupboard

Meaning
a piece of furniture with doors and shelves for storing dishes, food, or clothes
Example
She stored all the plates and bowls in the kitchen cupboard.