character development
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B2 noun ˈkærɪktər dɪˈvɛləpmənt

character development

Meaning
The process of creating a believable character in fiction by giving the character depth and personality.
Example
The character development of Sydney Carton is profound.
A2 verb /kənˈsɪdər/

consider

Meaning
to think carefully about something, especially before making a decision
Example
She is considering studying abroad next year.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈsɛntənəri/ or /sɛnˈtɛnəri/

centenary

Meaning
The hundredth anniversary of a significant event; relating to a period of 100 years.
Example
The school celebrated its centenary with a grand event.
C1 noun ˈkəmˌpaʊndɪŋ

compounding

Meaning
The process whereby interest is added to an amount of money and future interest is calculated on the total.
Example
Compounding interest increases the value of investments over time.
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.
B2 adjective /kɒzˈmɛt.ɪk/

cosmetic

Meaning
relating to beauty or appearance; intended to improve looks
Example
She bought a new cosmetic cream for her skin.
B2 noun kənˈsen.səs

consensus

Meaning
A general agreement among all members of a group.
Example
Consensus was reached after long deliberation.
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.
C1 noun /kɑːrˈtɒɡrəfər/

cartographer

Meaning
A person who makes maps.
Example
The cartographer carefully drew the map of the new territory.
B2 noun /kɔːrps/

corpse

Meaning
a dead body, especially of a human
Example
The police discovered a corpse in the abandoned house.
C2 verb /kənˈtjuːz/

contuse

Meaning
to bruise by striking or hitting
Example
He contused his arm when he fell off the bike.
C2 verb /ˈtʃeɪfɪŋ/

chafing

Meaning
To make sore by rubbing; to become irritated.
Example
The rough shoes were chafing his heels.
C1 verb /tʃɑːr/

char

Meaning
To burn or scorch something so that it becomes blackened.
Example
The cook accidentally charred the steak.
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.
C2 noun /ˈkærɪt/

caret

Meaning
A proofreading symbol (^) used to indicate where something should be inserted.
Example
The editor placed a caret to show where the missing word should go.
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 /ˈkɒlɪdʒ/

college

Meaning
An educational institution where students study for degrees or professional qualifications.
Example
She hopes to attend college in the city next year.
B2 noun ˈkɑː.bən

carbon

Meaning
The chemical element of atomic number 6, occurring as diamond, graphite, and charcoal.
Example
Carbon emissions must be controlled.
A1 verb /keɪm/

came

Meaning
past tense of 'come'
Example
She came to the party on time.
B2 noun /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/

complication

Meaning
A problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with.
Example
His illness led to serious complications after surgery.
C1 adverb kəmˈpæktli

compactly

Meaning
In a closely packed or dense manner.
Example
Protons and neutrons are compactly arranged.
B2 noun /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/

cargo

Meaning
goods carried by a ship, plane, or other transport
Example
The ship was loaded with valuable cargo.
A1 noun /ˈtʃɪk.ən/

Chicken

Meaning
a domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat; the meat of this bird used as food
Example
The chicken laid fresh eggs every morning.
A2 noun; verb /tʃæt/

chat

Meaning
an informal conversation; to talk in a friendly, informal way
Example
We had a long chat after dinner.
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.
B2 noun /ˈkɒnsənənt/

consonant

Meaning
A speech sound produced by blocking air flow, or a letter representing such a sound.
Example
The word 'cat' has two consonants and one vowel.
C2 verb /ˈkɒd.l̩/

coddle

Meaning
to treat someone with excessive care or kindness, often in a way that is overprotective
Example
Parents should support their children without coddling them.
B2 noun /ˈkɑn.trəˌvɜr.si/

Controversy

Meaning
prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion; a dispute or argument involving opposing viewpoints
Example
The new policy sparked a major controversy among the citizens.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɜːrtɪd/

concerted

Meaning
done with great effort, planned and performed together by multiple people
Example
The workers made a concerted effort to improve conditions.
B1 adjective /ˈtʃɪli/

chilly

Meaning
uncomfortably or unpleasantly cold
Example
It was a chilly morning in December.
C1 noun /ˈkroʊ.bɑːr/

Crowbar

Meaning
a heavy iron bar with a curved end used as a lever for prying things apart
Example
He used a crowbar to remove the old nails.
A2 noun /ˈkɔːrnər/

corner

Meaning
the place where two edges or sides meet
Example
The store is just around the corner.
A1 noun /tʃeɪndʒ/

change

Meaning
The act or instance of making or becoming different.
Example
Change is inevitable for growth.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊnsɪlər/

councilor

Meaning
an elected member of a council, especially a local government body
Example
The councilor held a public meeting to discuss local issues.
C1 noun /ˈʃoʊ.və.nɪst/

chauvinist

Meaning
A person displaying excessive or prejudiced loyalty to a group, cause, or gender.
Example
He was labeled a chauvinist after his remarks about women in the workplace.
C2 verb /ˈkrɪŋ.kəl/

crinkle

Meaning
To form small creases or wrinkles.
Example
She crinkled her nose at the strange smell.
B2 adjective /ˈkɜːrtiəs/

courteous

Meaning
polite, respectful, or considerate in manner
Example
The staff at the hotel were very courteous to all guests.
C1 verb /kliːv/

cleave

Meaning
to split or divide; to cut through forcefully
Example
He used an axe to cleave the wood.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpensətɔːri/

compensatory

Meaning
serving to make up for a loss, damage, or injury
Example
The court awarded him compensatory damages.
A2 adverb /kəˈrɛktli/

correctly

Meaning
in a way that is true, accurate, or without mistakes
Example
She answered all the questions correctly.
B2 noun /ˈsen.tɪ.piːd/

Centipede

Meaning
a long thin creature with many legs that lives in dark places
Example
I found a centipede crawling under the rock.
C2 adjective /ˌkɒnsæŋˈɡwɪniəs/

consanguineous

Meaning
Related by blood; descended from the same ancestor.
Example
The study focused on genetic disorders in consanguineous families.
B2 noun /ˈkəʊ.tɪŋ/

coating

Meaning
A protective or decorative layer applied to a surface.
Example
A protective coating prevents rust formation.
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.
C1 verb /ˈkaʊər/

cower

Meaning
to crouch down in fear
Example
The child cowered behind the sofa during the thunderstorm.
A2 verb /kənˈtɪn.juːd/

continued

Meaning
Kept happening or carried on without stopping.
Example
She continued working despite the challenges.
B2 adjective /ˈkɒm.pɪ.tənt/

Competent

Meaning
having the necessary skill or knowledge to do something successfully; capable
Example
She is a competent manager who handles all tasks efficiently.
B1 adjective /kriˈeɪtɪv/

creative

Meaning
Having the ability to produce new and original ideas or things.
Example
She is very creative in her writing.
C2 verb /kruːn/

croon

Meaning
to sing or hum in a soft, low, and gentle voice
Example
She crooned a lullaby to help the baby fall asleep.
B2 noun /ˈsaɪkloʊn/

cyclone

Meaning
a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure; a violent tropical storm
Example
The cyclone caused severe flooding along the coast.
C1 noun /ˈkɑr.nɪdʒ/

Carnage

Meaning
the killing of a large number of people; widespread slaughter
Example
The battlefield was filled with carnage after the brutal war.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃær.ɪ.tə.bəl/

Charitable

Meaning
generous in giving to those in need; showing kindness
Example
She is known for her charitable work in the community.
B2 noun /kəʊˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃən/

coordination

Meaning
the process of organizing different elements to work together effectively
Example
The coordination between the teams was flawless.
B2 noun /kənˈsɛʃən/

concession

Meaning
something that is granted, especially in response to demands; a compromise
Example
The company made several concessions during the negotiations.
C2 verb /ˈkæn.tər/

canter

Meaning
To ride a horse at a controlled, easy pace between a trot and a gallop.
Example
She cantered her horse across the field with ease.
B1 noun /ˈsiːlɪŋ/

ceiling

Meaning
the upper interior surface of a room
Example
The ceiling of the hall was painted beautifully.
B1 noun /kɒp/

cop

Meaning
a police officer (informal)
Example
The cop stopped the car for speeding.
B1 noun ˈtʃɑː.dʒɪŋ

charging

Meaning
The process of supplying electrical energy to recharge a battery or power source.
Example
Electric vehicle charging stations are increasing in cities.
C1 verb /kəˈmɛmɔˌreɪt/

commemorate

Meaning
To honor and remember someone or something through a ceremony or action.
Example
The statue was built to commemorate the fallen heroes.
C2 noun /kɒzˈmɒɡ.rə.fi/

cosmography

Meaning
the science or art of mapping the universe or cosmos
Example
Medieval scholars practiced cosmography to chart the stars and planets.
C1 adjective ˈkrɪp.tɪk

cryptic

Meaning
Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure; difficult to understand.
Example
The message was cryptic and hard to decipher.
C1 adjective ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs

conscientious

Meaning
Wishing to do what is right, especially to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.
Example
A conscientious worker always delivers high-quality results.
B2 noun kənˌtæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən

contamination

Meaning
The process of making something less pure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.
Example
Contamination of air leads to health issues.
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.
C2 adjective /kənˈsʌmptɪv/

consumptive

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by consumption; historically used to describe someone suffering from tuberculosis.
Example
The doctor advised against consumptive habits.
C2 noun /kəˈraʊzl/

carousal

Meaning
A noisy or lively drinking party or festivity.
Example
They were exhausted after a night of wild carousal.
B1 adjective /ˈkɜːrli/

curly

Meaning
having curls or waves; shaped with bends or coils
Example
She has naturally curly hair.
C1 adjective /klænˈdɛstaɪn/

clandestine

Meaning
kept secret or done secretly, especially for illicit purposes
Example
They held a clandestine meeting late at night.
C1 noun /krəˈnɒlədʒi/

chronology

Meaning
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.
Example
The chronology of the dynasty was carefully studied by historians.
B2 noun /kæf/

Calf

Meaning
a young cow or bull; young of various large mammals
Example
The calf stayed close to its mother.
C1 noun/verb /kroʊˈʃeɪ/

crochet

Meaning
Needlework made by interlocking loops of thread with a hooked needle; the act of making such items.
Example
She learned how to crochet a scarf for winter.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃeɪn.dʒə.bəl/

Changeable

Meaning
able to be changed; likely to change frequently
Example
The weather is very changeable in spring.
B2 adjective /ˈkɒmɪkəl/

comical

Meaning
Funny in a strange or silly way; amusing.
Example
His comical expressions made everyone laugh.
C1 noun /ˌkʌl də ˈsæk/

cul de sac

Meaning
A street or passage closed at one end; a dead end.
Example
They bought a house at the end of a quiet cul de sac.
C2 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈmænd/

countermand

Meaning
to revoke or cancel an order or command
Example
The general countermanded the previous orders immediately.
B2 verb /kənˈstrʌkt/

construct

Meaning
to build or form something by putting parts together
Example
They plan to construct a new bridge over the river.
C2 noun /ˈsɪniæst/

cineast

Meaning
A film enthusiast or filmmaker; a person deeply interested in cinema.
Example
As a true cineast, she spends most weekends watching classic films.
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.
B1 noun /ˈkɒntɪnənt/

continent

Meaning
one of the large landmasses on Earth such as Asia, Africa, or Europe
Example
Asia is the largest continent in the world.
B2 verb, noun /kəˈmjuːt/

commute

Meaning
Verb: to travel regularly between home and work; Noun: the journey to and from work.
Example
He commutes two hours every day to reach his office.
C1 verb /kəˈrəʊd/

corrode

Meaning
to gradually destroy or wear away metal or other materials through chemical action
Example
The iron pipes corroded over time due to exposure to water.
A2 noun ˈtʃælɪndʒ

challenge

Meaning
A call to take part in a contest or competition, especially a demanding or stimulating one; a task or situation that tests someone's abilities.
Example
Plastic pollution poses a significant challenge to global health.
C1 verb /kənˈdʒɛst/

congest

Meaning
To block or overcrowd a space, making movement or flow difficult.
Example
Heavy traffic can congest the city streets during rush hour.
B2 verb /ˈsɜːrkjəˌleɪt/

circulate

Meaning
to move continuously or freely through a closed system or area
Example
Air circulated freely in the open hall.
C2 noun /kərˈmʌdʒən/

curmudgeon

Meaning
a bad-tempered, cranky, or irritable person, usually old
Example
The old curmudgeon complained about everything in the neighborhood.
A2 verb /klɪk/

click

Meaning
to press a button on a computer mouse or similar device
Example
She clicked the link to open the website.
C2 noun /kəˌrɒbəˈreɪʃən/

corroboration

Meaning
evidence that confirms or supports a statement, theory, or finding
Example
The documents provided strong corroboration of her claims.
B2 noun /ˌkɒn.tɪˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

continuity

Meaning
the state of being continuous or connected; consistency over time
Example
Maintaining continuity in leadership is essential for organizational stability.
B1 noun /ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən/

combination

Meaning
The act of joining or mixing two or more things together.
Example
This dish is a perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors.
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 noun /kroʊ/

Crow

Meaning
a large black bird known for its intelligence and harsh call
Example
The crow cawed loudly from the tree branch.
C2 adjective /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

commodious

Meaning
spacious and comfortable; having plenty of room
Example
They rented a commodious apartment in the city.
C2 adjective /ˈkreɪvən/

craven

Meaning
cowardly; lacking courage
Example
He was too craven to stand up for his beliefs.
A2 noun /ˈkʌstəmər/

customer

Meaning
a person or organization that buys goods or services from a store or business
Example
The shopkeeper greeted the customer with a smile.
B1 verb /kənˈvɜːrt/

convert

Meaning
to change from one form to another; to transform
Example
We can convert this room into an office.
C2 noun /kənˈfɛsər/

confessor

Meaning
A person who confesses sins or secrets, especially to a priest.
Example
The confessor listened patiently to the troubled man.
A2 adverb /ˈklɪrli/

clearly

Meaning
In a way that is easy to perceive, understand, or see.
Example
She spoke clearly so that everyone could understand.
C2 noun /kəˈpriːs/

caprice

Meaning
a sudden, unpredictable change of mood or behavior
Example
She bought the expensive dress on a caprice.
C2 noun /ˌkælɪsˈθɛnɪks/

calisthenics

Meaning
exercises that use body weight for strength and flexibility
Example
She practices calisthenics every morning in the park.
B1 noun /ˌkjʊr.iˈɑs.ɪ.ti/

Curiosity

Meaning
a strong desire to know or learn something; an unusual or interesting object or fact
Example
Her curiosity about different cultures led her to travel around the world.
C2 adjective /krɪˈpʌskjʊlər/

crepuscular

Meaning
relating to twilight or active during twilight
Example
Bats are crepuscular animals, most active at dawn and dusk.
C1 noun /kəˈnʌn.drəm/

conundrum

Meaning
A complex problem or puzzle without an easy solution
Example
The ethical conundrum puzzled the researchers.
B1 noun /tʃɑːrm/

Charm

Meaning
the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration; a magical spell or talisman
Example
Her natural charm and wit made her popular at social gatherings.
B2 noun /kənˌfɪɡəˈreɪʃən/

configuration

Meaning
an arrangement of parts or elements in a particular form or structure
Example
The configuration of the system needs to be adjusted for better performance.
C1 verb /tʃæsˈtaɪz/

chastise

Meaning
to criticize or punish severely
Example
The teacher chastised the student for being late.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪŋɡəl/

commingle

Meaning
To mix or blend different things together.
Example
The charity does not commingle donations with operational funds.
C2 noun /ˌkɛəriˈætɪd/

caryatid

Meaning
A stone carving of a draped female figure, used as a supporting column in architecture.
Example
The ancient temple featured a caryatid holding up the roof.
B2 verb /tʃænt/

chant

Meaning
to sing or recite in a rhythmic way
Example
The monks chant prayers in the temple.
B1 noun ˈkraɪsɪs

crisis

Meaning
A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.
Example
The financial crisis affected global markets.
C2 verb /ˌkɒmənˈdɪə/

commandeer

Meaning
To take control or possession of something, often by force or authority.
Example
The soldiers commandeered the villagers’ homes during the war.
C1 adjective /kɔɪ/

coy

Meaning
reluctant to give details or reveal feelings; shy or reserved
Example
She gave a coy smile when asked about her plans.
A2 adjective /ˈkjʊriəs/

curious

Meaning
Eager to know or learn something.
Example
The curious explorers asked questions about Antarctica.
B2 noun /ˈsɜːr.tən.ti/

Certainty

Meaning
firm conviction that something is the case; the quality of being reliably true
Example
We can say with certainty that the project will be completed on time.
C2 adjective /krəˈmætɪk/

chromatic

Meaning
Relating to colors or, in music, notes outside the standard scale.
Example
The artist used a chromatic palette to create vibrant contrasts.
A2 noun, verb /kɔɪn/

coin

Meaning
A flat piece of metal used as money; as a verb, to invent a new word or phrase.
Example
The government decided to coin a new term for the program.
A1 noun /ˈkʌl.ər/

Colour

Meaning
the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects light; hue, tint, shade
Example
What is your favorite colour for painting the bedroom walls?
C2 noun /ˈkeɪ.tɪf/

caitiff

Meaning
A contemptible or cowardly person.
Example
The knight despised the caitiff who betrayed his comrades.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃiːzi/

cheesy

Meaning
tacky, overly sentimental, or cheap in quality
Example
The movie was funny but a bit too cheesy.
A2 noun /keɪdʒ/

Cage

Meaning
a structure with bars or wire for keeping birds or animals
Example
The parrot lives in a large cage.
C2 noun /kəmˈpɛndiəm/

compendium

Meaning
A collection of concise but detailed information about a subject.
Example
The book is a compendium of ancient myths and legends.
C1 verb kəˈrɒb.ə.reɪt

corroborate

Meaning
Confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.
Example
The witness corroborated the defendant's testimony.