churlish
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C2 adjective /ˈtʃɜːrlɪʃ/

churlish

Meaning
Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
Example
It would be churlish to refuse her kind invitation.
B1 noun /rɪˈsep.ʃən/

Reception

Meaning
the action of receiving something or someone; a formal social occasion held to welcome someone
Example
The wedding reception was held at a beautiful hotel.
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 verb /ˈtæri/

tarry

Meaning
To delay or linger; to stay longer than intended.
Example
Do not tarry, or you will miss the train.
B2 adjective /ˈrʌn daʊn/

run-down

Meaning
in a poor condition; worn out or neglected
Example
They live in a run-down house at the edge of town.
B2 verb /dʌmp/

dump

Meaning
to drop or dispose of something carelessly; to end a relationship suddenly
Example
He dumped all the trash into the bin.
C2 noun /liː/

lea

Meaning
An open area of grassy or arable land; a meadow.
Example
The cottage was surrounded by a quiet lea.
B2 verb /ɪˈrʌpt/

erupt

Meaning
to burst forth suddenly and violently
Example
The volcano erupted after centuries of dormancy.
C1 adverb /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋli/

searchingly

Meaning
In a way that seems to look for hidden meanings or truth.
Example
She looked at him searchingly, hoping for an honest answer.
B2 noun /ˈreɪ.dɑːr/

Radar

Meaning
a system for detecting the presence, direction, distance of aircraft, ships by sending out radio waves
Example
The radar detected an unknown aircraft approaching the base.
C1 noun /ɪkˈspʌlʃən/

expulsion

Meaning
The act of forcing someone to leave a place, especially a school or country.
Example
His constant misbehavior led to his expulsion from school.
C1 adjective /ˈrʌs.tɪk/

Rustic

Meaning
simple and unsophisticated; relating to rural areas
Example
The rustic cottage had wooden beams and a thatched roof.
B2 noun ɪnˈdev.ər

endeavor

Meaning
An attempt to achieve a goal; a serious determined effort.
Example
The endeavor to innovate space tourism is ambitious.
C2 noun /ˌɪnˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/

incapability

Meaning
lack of ability or power to do something; inability or incompetence
Example
His incapability to manage the team led to serious problems.
B2 noun /broʊtʃ/

brooch

Meaning
a decorative jewelry pin that is attached to clothing
Example
She wore a beautiful silver brooch on her jacket.
C2 noun /kəmˈpleɪsəns/

complaisance

Meaning
willingness to please others; courteous compliance
Example
Her complaisance made her popular among her colleagues.
C1 verb/noun ˈbuːt.stræp

bootstrap

Meaning
To start and develop a business using personal resources without external funding.
Example
He bootstrapped his company with minimal resources.
C2 noun /pɪˈlɑːf/

Pillaw

Meaning
a dish of rice cooked in seasoned broth, often with meat and vegetables
Example
We enjoyed a delicious chicken pillaw for dinner.
B1 adverb /ɛtˈsɛtərə/

etcetera

Meaning
used at the end of a list to indicate that other similar items are included
Example
She bought apples, oranges, bananas, etcetera from the market.
A2 adjective /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

working

Meaning
engaged in physical or mental effort to achieve a goal or task
Example
She is working on her project right now.
B2 noun /rɪˈmuː.vəl/

Removal

Meaning
the action of taking something away or eliminating it; dismissal from office
Example
The removal of the old furniture took all day.
C2 noun /ˈmælɪt fɪʃ/

Mallet fish

Meaning
A marine fish with a hard shell-like covering, found in coastal waters
Example
The mallet fish is known for its unique protective shell covering.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪˈmʌndeɪn/

antemundane

Meaning
Existing or occurring before the creation of the world.
Example
Some myths speak of an antemundane chaos before order was established.
C2 verb /ˈdɒɡmətaɪz/

dogmatize

Meaning
To state opinions or beliefs as if they were absolute truths.
Example
The professor tended to dogmatize on political issues.
C1 noun /ˈblæs.fə.mi/

blasphemy

Meaning
the act of speaking disrespectfully about God or sacred things
Example
In some countries, blasphemy is a punishable offense.
C1 verb /vɪə(r)/

veer

Meaning
to change direction suddenly
Example
The car veered off the road to avoid the accident.
B2 adjective /stəˈtɪstɪkəl/

statistical

Meaning
relating to the use or analysis of numerical data
Example
The report provides statistical data about population growth.
A1 interjection /oʊ/

oh

Meaning
used to express surprise, realization, or understanding
Example
Oh, I didn't know you were here!
A2 adjective /ˈnɔː.məl/

Normal

Meaning
usual; typical; conforming to a standard; healthy
Example
It's normal to feel nervous before an important exam.
B2 noun /əˈfens/

Offence

Meaning
a breach of law or rule; an annoyance or resentment
Example
Stealing is a serious offence punishable by law.
C2 adjective /ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːrfɪk/

anthropomorphic

Meaning
attributing human characteristics to non-human things, like animals or objects
Example
The cartoon shows an anthropomorphic cat walking on two legs.
A1 noun /stɑːr/

Star

Meaning
a fixed luminous point in the night sky that produces light and heat through nuclear fusion
Example
Thousands of stars are visible in the clear night sky.
A1 noun /ˈʌŋkəl/

uncle

Meaning
the brother of one's father or mother
Example
My uncle is visiting us next week.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːrfəri/

porphyry

Meaning
A hard igneous rock containing crystals, often used for decorative or building purposes.
Example
The ancient Romans used porphyry to make columns and statues.
C1 noun /ˈhɒməˌfoʊn/

homophone

Meaning
A word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning, and often spelling.
Example
The words 'pair' and 'pear' are homophones.
C1 adjective /ˈspʌndʒi/

Spongy

Meaning
soft and full of holes like a sponge; porous
Example
The cake had a light and spongy texture.
C2 verb /kwɒf/

quaff

Meaning
to drink something heartily or in large gulps, especially an alcoholic drink
Example
He quaffed a mug of ale after the long day.
C1 noun /pɒˈstɛrɪti/

posterity

Meaning
All future generations of people.
Example
The monument was built for the benefit of posterity.
B2 noun /ˈhɑːr.bər/

Harbour

Meaning
a place on the coast where vessels may find shelter; a place of safety or refuge
Example
The fishing boats returned safely to the harbour before the storm hit the coastline.
C1 noun /ˈɒktəɡən/

octagon

Meaning
A polygon with eight sides and eight angles.
Example
The stop sign is shaped like an octagon.
B2 noun /kɜːrl/

Curl

Meaning
a piece of hair that curves or coils; something with a spiral or curved shape
Example
She had beautiful natural curls that framed her face perfectly.
C1 noun, verb /buːz/

booze

Meaning
alcoholic drink, especially strong liquor; to drink alcohol, often excessively
Example
They bought some booze for the party.
C1 adjective /ˈstrætɪfaɪd/

stratified

Meaning
arranged or classified in layers or strata
Example
Society in the past was highly stratified based on class and wealth.
B2 noun /dʒɔɪnt/

Joint

Meaning
a point at which parts of the body are connected; shared by two or more people
Example
The joint effort of the team led to the project's success.
C1 adjective /ˈprɪs.tiːn/

pristine

Meaning
In its original condition; unspoiled, clean, and fresh.
Example
The forest remains in a pristine condition.
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.
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.
B2 noun /ˈblʌn.dər/

blunder

Meaning
A stupid or careless mistake; a serious error in judgment.
Example
His blunder cost the company a fortune.
A1 adjective /seɪm/

same

Meaning
identical; not different or changed
Example
We wore the same dress at the party.
A1 verb /hɪər/

hear

Meaning
to perceive sound; to listen to
Example
I can hear the birds singing.
B2 noun, verb /skruː/

screw

Meaning
a metal fastener with a helical ridge; to fasten or tighten something with a screw
Example
He screwed the shelf to the wall tightly.
B2 verb /ˈnoʊtɪfaɪ/

notify

Meaning
to inform someone officially about something
Example
The manager will notify the staff about the schedule change.
B1 adjective /ˈmædʒɪkəl/

magical

Meaning
having or producing the charm, beauty, or power of magic
Example
The sunset over the mountains was a magical sight.
A1 noun /naɪt/

night

Meaning
the time of darkness between one day and the next, when most people sleep
Example
She loves going for walks at night.
C2 adjective /ˈnɔɪ.səm/

Noisome

Meaning
having an extremely offensive smell; harmful or unpleasant
Example
The noisome smell from the garbage made everyone cover their noses.
B1 adjective /dɪˈlaɪtɪd/

delighted

Meaning
feeling or showing great pleasure and happiness
Example
She was delighted with the surprise gift.
C2 noun /ˈkɒmɪti/

comity

Meaning
Courtesy and considerate behavior towards others; mutual respect.
Example
The meeting was conducted with comity and respect.
C1 adjective /ˈbed.rɪd.ən/

Bedridden

Meaning
confined to bed; unable to leave one's bed due to illness or infirmity
Example
The elderly man has been bedridden for several months.
C2 noun /ˈɪrɪɡənt/

irrigant

Meaning
A liquid used for irrigation, especially in medical or agricultural contexts.
Example
The doctor used a sterile irrigant during the procedure.
B1 noun /bɪˈheɪ.vjər/

Behaviour

Meaning
the way a person or animal acts or conducts themselves
Example
His behaviour at the meeting was very professional.
A2 verb /əˈlaʊ/

allow

Meaning
to give permission for something to happen or someone to do something
Example
The teacher did not allow phones in class.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛstɪv/

restive

Meaning
unable to stay still or silent; restless and impatient
Example
The crowd grew restive as they waited for the concert to begin.
C2 noun /ˈæpəfθɛm/

apophthegm

Meaning
A short, pithy, and instructive saying or maxim.
Example
She always had a witty apophthegm to share at meetings.
C2 noun /ˈæmjʊlət/

Amulet

Meaning
an ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease
Example
She wore a silver amulet around her neck for good luck.
B2 noun /ˈɪdɪət/

idiot

Meaning
a person who acts in a way that is considered very stupid or foolish
Example
He acted like an idiot at the party last night.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛriəˌtaɪpt/

stereotyped

Meaning
Conforming to a fixed or oversimplified idea of what someone or something is like.
Example
His stereotyped jokes failed to impress the audience.
C1 noun /ˈnaɪt.hʊd/

knighthood

Meaning
The rank or dignity of a knight, or the ceremony of conferring knighthood.
Example
He was honored with knighthood for his contributions to science.
C1 noun/verb /ˈhɛmərɪdʒ/

hemorrhage

Meaning
A significant loss of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, or to lose blood heavily.
Example
The patient suffered a severe brain hemorrhage.
B2 noun /prɔːn/

Prawn

Meaning
a large marine crustacean similar to shrimp but typically bigger
Example
The chef prepared delicious prawn curry with coconut milk.
C2 verb /əˈleɪ/

allay

Meaning
to reduce the intensity of fear, worry, or pain; to calm
Example
The teacher tried to allay the students’ fears before the exam.
B2 noun /ˈæplɪkənt/

applicant

Meaning
a person who applies for something, such as a job or a position
Example
The applicant was interviewed for the position.
B1 noun, verb /ˈbændɪdʒ/

bandage

Meaning
a strip of material used to cover or protect a wound; to cover or wrap a wound with such material
Example
The nurse carefully bandaged his injured arm.
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.
C2 noun /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/

brigadier

Meaning
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
Example
The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade.
C2 noun, verb /ˈbɛvəl/

bevel

Meaning
A sloping edge or surface; to cut or shape an edge at an angle.
Example
The carpenter beveled the edges of the table.
C1 verb /ræsp/

rasp

Meaning
to speak in a rough, harsh voice or to scrape with a coarse sound
Example
He rasped out a warning before collapsing.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪ.haʊnd/

Greyhound

Meaning
a tall, thin dog with long legs that can run very fast
Example
The greyhound won the race at the dog track.
B2 verb /drɪft/

drift

Meaning
to move slowly, especially by air or water currents
Example
The boat began to drift away from the shore.
C2 noun /ˈɪndɪkənt/

indicant

Meaning
Something that indicates or points to a fact or condition.
Example
High fever is often an indicant of infection.
B2 verb/noun /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːrd/

disregard

Meaning
To ignore something; lack of consideration or respect for something.
Example
He disregarded the warning signs and kept driving.
B2 noun /ˈsɜr.neɪm/

Surname

Meaning
a hereditary name common to all members of a family; family name
Example
Please write your first name and surname on the form.
B2 verb, noun /dɒn/

don

Meaning
to put on (an article of clothing); also used as a title for a respected person
Example
She donned her coat before leaving.
B2 noun /heɪst/

Haste

Meaning
swiftness of motion; urgent need of quick action; excessive speed or urgency
Example
In his haste to catch the train, he forgot to take his wallet from the table.
B2 verb /ɪmˈbɑːrkɪŋ/

embarking

Meaning
Beginning a journey or enterprise.
Example
The group is embarking on a long journey.
C2 noun ˈɔː.tɑː.ki

autarky

Meaning
Economic independence or self-sufficiency; a policy of establishing a self-sufficient national economy.
Example
Some nations aim for autarky to reduce reliance on imports.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/

unforthcoming

Meaning
Not willing to talk or provide information; uncooperative.
Example
The witness was unforthcoming about what he had seen.
A1 verb /tiːtʃ/

teach

Meaning
to give knowledge or instruction to someone; to show how to do something
Example
She teaches English at the local school.
A1 noun /ˈnʌmbər/

number

Meaning
a mathematical value used to count, measure, or label
Example
She gave me her phone number.
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.
B2 noun /ɑːrˈkeɪd/

arcade

Meaning
a covered passage with arches along one or both sides; also a place with coin-operated games
Example
The children spent the afternoon playing games at the arcade.
C1 noun /ˈzoʊdiæk/

Zodiac

Meaning
a belt of the heavens within which lie the paths of the sun, moon, and planets; the twelve astrological signs
Example
What is your zodiac sign?
B2 noun plɒt

plot

Meaning
The main story of a piece of writing, or the series of events that happen in it.
Example
The plot of A Tale of Two Cities is intense and gripping.
B1 noun ˈiːˌkɒm.ɜːrs

e-commerce

Meaning
The process of buying and selling goods or services through the internet.
Example
E-commerce has revolutionized the way people shop.
B2 adjective /stɑːrk/

stark

Meaning
Severe, sharp, or clearly defined; plain and without any decoration.
Example
The stark contrast between poverty and wealth was evident in the city.
A2 noun /ɡlʌvz/

Gloves

Meaning
coverings for the hands with separate parts for each finger
Example
She wore warm gloves to protect her hands from the cold.
B2 noun /swɪŋ/

Swing

Meaning
move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or on an axis
Example
The children love to swing in the park.
C2 noun /ˈdaɪətraɪb/

diatribe

Meaning
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
Example
The politician launched a diatribe against his opponents.
C1 noun /ˈdɪɡnɪˌtɛri/

dignitary

Meaning
a person considered to be important because of high rank or office
Example
Several foreign dignitaries attended the state banquet.
C1 adjective ˌkɑːr.sɪ.nəˈdʒen.ɪk

carcinogenic

Meaning
Having the potential to cause cancer in living tissue.
Example
Processed meat contains carcinogenic compounds.
B2 noun /əˈsɛnt/

ascent

Meaning
The act of rising or climbing to a higher position or level.
Example
The climbers began their ascent to the mountain peak at dawn.
C1 noun /ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/

abstinence

Meaning
the practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol or sex
Example
His doctor advised abstinence from alcohol for better health.
A1 number /ˌfɪfˈtiːn/

fifteen

Meaning
the number 15
Example
There are fifteen students in the class.
C1 noun /ɡeɪt/

gait

Meaning
A person's manner of walking.
Example
His slow gait showed that he was tired.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtræn.sɪ.dʒəns/

intransigence

Meaning
Refusal to change one's views or to agree about something.
Example
The negotiations failed due to the intransigence of both parties.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛtʃ.u.əs/

impetuous

Meaning
Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Example
His impetuous decision led to unexpected consequences.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒn.keɪv/

concave

Meaning
curved inward like the inside of a bowl
Example
The mirror had a concave surface that magnified her reflection.
C1 adjective /ˌkævəˈlɪər/

cavalier

Meaning
showing a lack of proper concern; dismissive or offhand
Example
He had a cavalier attitude toward safety regulations.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ki ˈpæŋ.ki/

Hanky-Panky

Meaning
dishonest or suspicious activity; unethical behavior; trickery or deception
Example
The audit revealed some hanky-panky in the company's financial records.
A2 adverb /ˈker.fə.li/

Carefully

Meaning
with great attention and caution; thoughtfully and attentively
Example
Please read the instructions carefully.
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.
B2 verb/noun /buː/

boo

Meaning
To show disapproval by shouting 'boo'; or a sound made to surprise or scare.
Example
The audience began to boo the bad performance.
B2 noun /ˌsɒl.ɪˈdær.ə.ti/

Solidarity

Meaning
unity or agreement of feeling or action among individuals with a common interest
Example
The workers showed solidarity during the strike.
A2 noun /lɪst/

List

Meaning
a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other
Example
Make a list of things you need to buy.
C1 adjective /bɪˈrɛft/

bereft

Meaning
Deprived of or lacking something, especially a nonmaterial asset.
Example
After the betrayal, he felt bereft of hope and trust.
B2 noun /məˈtʃʊrəti/

Maturity

Meaning
The state of being mature; full development physically or emotionally
Example
With age comes wisdom and emotional maturity.
A1 adjective /twɛlv/

twelve

Meaning
the number equivalent to 12
Example
There are twelve months in a year.
C2 adjective /ɪˈlɪbərəl/

illiberal

Meaning
Opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
Example
The government was criticized for its illiberal policies.
A2 noun /ˈkɒf.i ˈmeɪ.kər/

Coffee maker

Meaning
an electric appliance used to brew coffee automatically
Example
I use my coffee maker every morning to brew fresh coffee.
C1 noun ˌɪn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si

inefficiency

Meaning
The state or quality of not achieving maximum productivity; failure to make the best use of time or resources.
Example
Government inefficiency leads to slow project completion.
B2 verb /fɔːrdʒ/

forge

Meaning
to create or shape something, often with effort or skill; also to counterfeit or fake something
Example
The blacksmith forged a strong sword from the iron.