contest
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B2 verb, noun /ˈkɒntɛst/

contest

Meaning
verb: to compete or challenge; noun: a competition or dispute
Example
She decided to contest the election against the incumbent.
B1 verb /əbˈzɜːrv/

observe

Meaning
to watch carefully; to notice or perceive something
Example
Scientists observe the behavior of animals in the wild.
C1 noun, verb /ˈliːvər/ or /ˈlɛvər/

lever

Meaning
a rigid bar used to move or lift heavy objects; to move something using leverage.
Example
He used a lever to lift the heavy stone.
C2 adjective /rɪˈkæl.sɪ.trənt/

recalcitrant

Meaning
Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
Example
The recalcitrant student refused to follow rules.
C1 noun /ˈdʊr.i.ən/

Durian

Meaning
a large spiky tropical fruit known for its strong smell and creamy custard-like flesh
Example
Durian is known as the king of fruits in Southeast Asia despite its pungent odor.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdjuːs/

induce

Meaning
to cause or persuade someone to do something; to bring about a result
Example
The doctor induced sleep with a mild sedative.
A2 noun /ˈfiːvər/

fever

Meaning
a medical condition in which the body temperature is higher than normal
Example
He couldn’t go to work because he had a high fever.
A1 noun /aɪˈdiː.ə/

Idea

Meaning
a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action; a concept or mental impression
Example
She had a brilliant idea for solving the company's efficiency problem.
A2 noun /bɪər/

beer

Meaning
An alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt flavored with hops.
Example
He ordered a glass of cold beer at the bar.
C2 verb /ˈbɪloʊ/

billow

Meaning
To swell or rise in large waves or surges; to flow outward in a rolling motion.
Example
Smoke billowed from the burning building.
A2 noun /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/

dining

Meaning
the act of eating a meal, especially in a formal setting
Example
We enjoyed fine dining at the new restaurant.
C1 noun /ˈɛksɜːrpt/

excerpt

Meaning
A short portion taken from a text, film, or piece of music.
Example
The teacher read an excerpt from the novel.
C1 noun /ˈpʌndɪt/

pundit

Meaning
An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give opinions to the public.
Example
Political pundits debated the election results on television.
C1 noun /ˌsɑːrdʒənt ˈmeɪdʒər/

sergeant-major

Meaning
A senior non-commissioned officer in the army responsible for discipline and administration within a unit.
Example
The sergeant-major inspected the troops before the parade.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkjʊˈbeɪʃən/

incubation

Meaning
the process of keeping eggs, cells, or organisms in the right conditions for development
Example
The incubation of the eggs lasted for three weeks.
B2 noun /ˈrɪk.ʃɔː/

Rickshaw

Meaning
a light two-wheeled passenger vehicle drawn by one or more people
Example
We took a rickshaw to reach the busy marketplace.
C1 noun /ˈhɛrəsi/

heresy

Meaning
belief or opinion that goes against established religious doctrine or accepted beliefs.
Example
In medieval times, heresy was often punished severely.
B2 noun /ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən/

revelation

Meaning
A surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one made known in a dramatic way.
Example
The book was full of shocking revelations about the politician.
C1 noun /ˈrɛ.trəʊ.fɪt.ɪŋ/

retrofitting

Meaning
The addition of new technology or features to older systems.
Example
The building underwent retrofitting to meet new safety standards.
B1 verb /rɪˈkʌvər/

recover

Meaning
To return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength; to regain or save something.
Example
The world is struggling to recover from the pandemic.
B1 verb /ɪmˈprɛs/

impress

Meaning
to cause someone to feel admiration or respect
Example
Her speech managed to impress the audience.
C1 adjective /prəˈvoʊkɪŋ/

Provoking

Meaning
causing anger or strong reaction; irritating; stimulating
Example
His provoking comments made everyone angry.
C2 noun /ˌɛksɪˈɡjuːɪti/

exiguity

Meaning
the quality of being scanty or meager in amount
Example
The exiguity of resources made the project difficult to complete.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈɡlɔːriəs/

inglorious

Meaning
Causing shame or disgrace; not bringing honor or glory.
Example
The army suffered an inglorious defeat.
B1 noun /ɪnˈθjuː.zi.æz.əm/

Enthusiasm

Meaning
intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval
Example
Her enthusiasm for the project inspired the entire team.
C1 noun /kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp/

kaleidoscope

Meaning
A toy or instrument with mirrors and colored pieces that create changing patterns when rotated; also used metaphorically for a constantly changing sequence of patterns or elements.
Example
The city lights turned into a kaleidoscope of colors as the festival began.
B1 noun /ˈwɜːrkpleɪs/

workplace

Meaning
a place where people work, such as an office, factory, or shop
Example
Maintaining good communication is vital in the workplace.
C2 noun /mɪlk raɪs/

Milk rice

Meaning
A sweet dessert made from rice cooked with milk and sugar
Example
My grandmother makes delicious milk rice for special occasions.
B2 noun/verb /swɑːmp/

swamp

Meaning
An area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects; a bog or marsh.
Example
The village was built near a swamp.
B1 noun /ˈmem.bə.ʃɪp/

membership

Meaning
The state of belonging to or being part of an organization or group.
Example
The country's membership in the organization marked 50 years.
C2 adjective /woʊnt/ or /wɔːnt/

wont

Meaning
accustomed or used to doing something
Example
She rose early, as she was wont to do.
C1 verb /ˈnjuːtrəlaɪz/

neutralize

Meaning
to make something ineffective or harmless
Example
The medicine helped neutralize the poison in his system.
B2 adverb /ˌæksɪˈdɛntəli/

accidentally

Meaning
happening by chance or unexpectedly
Example
He accidentally dropped the glass.
B1 noun /peɪs/

pace

Meaning
the speed at which something happens or is done
Example
She walked at a slow pace.
B2 verb əˈteɪnd

attained

Meaning
Succeeded in achieving (something that one desires and has worked for); reached a specified age, size, or amount.
Example
The region attained remarkable progress.
C2 noun /ˌniːoʊˈlætɪn/

neo-latin

Meaning
The use of Latin language for scholarly, scientific, and literary purposes after the medieval period.
Example
Many scientific names are derived from Neo-Latin.
B2 adjective /ˈfæktʃuəl/

Factual

Meaning
based on facts; accurate; true
Example
The report contains only factual information.
C1 adverb /əˈkjuːtli/

acutely

Meaning
in a sharp, intense, or severe way; with keen awareness
Example
She was acutely aware of the risks involved.
A2 adverb /ˈkwaɪ.ət.li/

Quietly

Meaning
without making much noise; silently; in a calm manner
Example
She spoke quietly so she wouldn't wake the baby.
A1 adjective /twɛlv/

twelve

Meaning
the number equivalent to 12
Example
There are twelve months in a year.
B2 verb /rɪˈkruːt/

recruit

Meaning
to enlist or hire people for a job, service, or membership
Example
The company is trying to recruit more software engineers.
C2 adjective /ˈmjuːtəbl/

mutable

Meaning
Capable of change or alteration.
Example
Human emotions are mutable and can shift rapidly.
C2 noun /roʊˈtʌn.də.ti/

rotundity

Meaning
the quality of being round or plump
Example
The rotundity of the balloon made it float gracefully.
B2 noun /dɪˈstrækʃənz/

distractions

Meaning
Things that prevent someone from concentrating on something else.
Example
Eliminate distractions for better productivity.
C2 adjective /ˌɔːfˈkiː/

off-key

Meaning
out of tune; not in accordance with expected standards
Example
The singer was slightly off-key during the performance.
B2 verb /əˈpɔɪnt/

appoint

Meaning
to choose someone for a job or position
Example
The board will appoint a new director.
A2 noun /ˈfoʊldər/

folder

Meaning
a container or directory used to store and organize papers or digital files
Example
I saved all the photos in a separate folder.
B2 adjective /ˈslɪp.ər.i/

Slippery

Meaning
smooth and difficult to hold; causing sliding or slipping
Example
The wet floor was very slippery after cleaning.
B2 adjective /ˈtrædʒɪk/

Tragic

Meaning
very sad; involving death or extreme suffering
Example
The plane crash was a tragic accident.
B2 noun ˈstɪmjələs

stimulus

Meaning
A thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue.
Example
Plants respond to external stimulus.
C2 adjective /ˈvjuː.ləs/

Viewless

Meaning
invisible; having no views or opinions
Example
The ghost remained viewless to most people in the haunted house.
C2 adjective /əˌnækrəˈnɪstɪk/

anachronistic

Meaning
belonging to a period other than that being portrayed; old-fashioned or outdated
Example
His views on gender roles are considered anachronistic.
C2 verb /dɪˈspɒnd/

despond

Meaning
to lose confidence or hope; to become dejected
Example
After repeated failures, he began to despond.
C2 noun /ˈaɪsinəs/

iciness

Meaning
The state of being cold in manner or temperature.
Example
There was a distinct iciness in his voice.
B2 noun /ˈter.ər.ɪ.zəm/

Terrorism

Meaning
the unlawful use of violence and intimidation against civilians for political aims
Example
The government increased security measures to prevent terrorism.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd/

Undisturbed

Meaning
not interrupted or interfered with; calm and peaceful
Example
She slept undisturbed for eight hours.
C2 verb /dʒaɪb/

jibe

Meaning
to make an insulting remark; to be in agreement or harmony with
Example
His actions did not jibe with his words.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈkwɒl.ɪ.faɪd/

Unqualified

Meaning
not having the necessary skills or qualifications; complete or absolute
Example
He was unqualified for the engineering position due to lack of experience.
C1 noun /ˈkʌˈs.tə.di/

Custody

Meaning
the protective care or guardianship of someone or something; imprisonment or detention
Example
After the divorce, they shared custody of their children equally.
B2 adjective /ˈθɔːr.ni/

Thorny

Meaning
having thorns; difficult to handle or deal with
Example
The thorny issue of budget cuts needs careful consideration.
C2 noun /kɒˈkeɪd/

cockade

Meaning
a rosette or knot of ribbon, usually worn on a hat as a badge of office or party
Example
The soldier wore a red cockade on his cap.
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 noun /ˈproʊtoʊˌmɑːrtɚ/

protomartyr

Meaning
The first martyr in a cause or religion, often referring to the first Christian martyr.
Example
St. Stephen is known as the protomartyr of Christianity.
C1 noun trəˈdʒek.tər.i

trajectory

Meaning
The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces.
Example
The satellite followed its intended trajectory.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈbæləns/

Unbalanced

Meaning
not balanced; lacking stability or equilibrium; mentally unstable
Example
The unbalanced table kept wobbling.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnæp.tɪk/

synaptic

Meaning
Related to the signal transmission process between nerve cells.
Example
Learning strengthens synaptic connections in the brain.
C1 adjective /ˌtræn.senˈdɛn.təl/

transcendental

Meaning
relating to the spiritual or non-physical realm; surpassing ordinary experience
Example
Meditation can lead to transcendental experiences.
B2 adjective /ˈprɛdʒədɪst/

prejudiced

Meaning
having or showing a dislike or bias against a person or group without proper reason
Example
He was prejudiced against people from other regions.
C1 noun /nɑːtʃ/

notch

Meaning
A small cut or groove on the edge or surface of something; a level or degree of achievement.
Example
He carved a notch on the stick to mark the days.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrwɜːrd/

foreword

Meaning
a short introduction at the beginning of a book, typically written by someone other than the author
Example
The foreword of the book was written by a famous historian.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.i.ənt/

Orient

Meaning
the East, especially countries of eastern Asia; to determine one's position or direction
Example
Many spices come from the Orient.
C2 verb /ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd/

undergird

Meaning
to provide support or foundation for; to strengthen
Example
Strong values undergird a healthy society.
C1 verb /rɪˈzaʊnd/

resound

Meaning
To fill a place with sound; to be celebrated or talked about widely.
Example
The hall resounded with applause.
B1 noun /ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/

consequences

Meaning
Results or effects of an action or condition.
Example
The consequences of ignoring safety protocols can be severe.
C2 noun /rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns/

recognizance

Meaning
A legal obligation or bond entered into before a court, especially to ensure future appearance.
Example
He was released on his own recognizance.
C1 noun /prɪˈtɛnʃən/

pretension

Meaning
A claim or assertion to something, often without justification; an attempt to impress by showing greater importance or talent than is actually possessed.
Example
His pretension to be an expert was quickly exposed.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛvər/

dissever

Meaning
To separate or cut apart.
Example
The treaty sought to dissever the two hostile regions.
C1 noun /ˈsteɪtəs kwoʊ/

status quo

Meaning
The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.
Example
The government decided to maintain the status quo until further review.
C2 noun /ˌlɛksɪˈkɒɡrəfi/

lexicography

Meaning
The art or practice of compiling dictionaries.
Example
Lexicography requires both linguistic and cultural knowledge.
B1 noun /ˈkemɪst/

chemist

Meaning
a scientist who studies chemistry; a person trained to prepare and dispense medicines
Example
The chemist analyzed the sample to determine its composition.
C1 noun rɪˈfaɪnmənt

refinement

Meaning
The process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.
Example
His manners showed a refinement that made him stand out in any crowd.
B2 adjective /əˈtʃiːvəbl/

achievable

Meaning
Able to be brought about or reached successfully.
Example
Start with achievable steps to stay motivated.
B2 adjective /dʌm/

Dumb

Meaning
unable to speak; silent; lacking intelligence; stupid
Example
She remained dumb during the entire meeting.
C1 verb /ˌʌndərˈvæljuː/

undervalue

Meaning
To assign too low a value or importance to something or someone.
Example
She felt that her boss consistently undervalued her contributions.
C2 noun /ˈmɒrəlɪst/

moralist

Meaning
A person who teaches or promotes moral principles and values.
Example
The author was known as a strict moralist in his writings.
B2 adjective, verb /ˈnoʊtɪd/

noted

Meaning
well known or famous; written down or observed
Example
He is a noted author in the field of history.
A2 noun /əˈdɪʃ.ən/

Addition

Meaning
the process of adding numbers; something that is added
Example
The addition of a new room made the house more spacious.
C1 noun /streɪt/

strait

Meaning
A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water.
Example
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
C2 noun /ˈpɒntɪf/

pontiff

Meaning
the pope or a high-ranking bishop in the Christian church
Example
The pontiff addressed the nation in a televised speech.
A2 noun /dʒæm/

Jam

Meaning
a sweet spread made from fruit and sugar; a difficult situation; a blockage
Example
She spread strawberry jam on her toast for breakfast every morning.
B1 noun /ˈsʌb.weɪ/

Subway

Meaning
an underground railway system; an underground passage for pedestrians
Example
I take the subway to work every morning because it's faster than driving.
A2 noun /maɪl/

mile

Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 1,609.34 meters; a long distance figuratively
Example
She walked a mile to reach the bus stop.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈmɪtɪɡeɪtɪd/

unmitigated

Meaning
absolute; not lessened or moderated
Example
The meeting was an unmitigated disaster.
B2 noun /ˈkʌvərɪdʒ/

coverage

Meaning
The extent or scope of something, such as insurance protection or media reporting.
Example
The news channel provided extensive coverage of the event.
C1 noun flɛər

flair

Meaning
A natural ability to do something well.
Example
She has a flair for design, always creating visually stunning work.
B1 verb /pɑːrtɪsɪˈpeɪtɪŋ/

participating

Meaning
Taking part in an activity or event.
Example
He is participating in the Antarctic expedition.
B1 noun /ˈtaɪ.təl/

Title

Meaning
the name of a book, movie, or other work; a word used before someone's name to show rank or status
Example
The title of the book is very interesting.
C2 noun /ˈtaɪtwɒd/

tightwad

Meaning
a person who is unwilling to spend money; a miser
Example
Everyone calls him a tightwad because he never buys gifts.
B2 verb /ɪkˈspoʊz/

expose

Meaning
to reveal or uncover; to make visible or known
Example
The investigation exposed the truth about the scandal.
C2 verb /ˈæbnɪˌɡeɪt/

abnegate

Meaning
to deny or renounce something, especially a right or desire
Example
She chose to abnegate her personal interests for the sake of the team.
B2 noun /ˈbjʊəroʊ/

bureau

Meaning
An office or agency that provides services or manages specific duties.
Example
The travel bureau helped them plan their vacation.
C1 noun /koʊˈɜː.ʃən/

coercion

Meaning
The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Example
Cybercriminals use coercion to extract information.
B2 noun ˈkæp.sjuːl

capsule

Meaning
A small soluble case of gelatin containing a dose of medicine, swallowed whole.
Example
Capsules contain controlled environments.
B2 adverb /ɪmˈpeɪʃəntli/

impatiently

Meaning
in a manner showing annoyance or restlessness due to delay or waiting
Example
She tapped her fingers impatiently while waiting for the reply.
C2 noun /ˈhæbɪtjuːd/

habitude

Meaning
a customary condition or mode of life; habitual practice
Example
He lived in a quiet habitude, avoiding the noise of the city.
B1 noun /ˈwɜːrkaʊt/

workout

Meaning
a session of physical exercise or training to improve fitness or health
Example
She does a full-body workout every morning before work.
B1 noun ɪmˈpruːv.mənts

improvements

Meaning
The action of making or becoming better; an instance of something becoming or being made better.
Example
Continuous improvements increase productivity.
B1 noun /ˈsæl.ər.i/

Salary

Meaning
a fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly basis
Example
She receives a good salary for her work as a teacher.
C2 verb /næʃ/

gnash

Meaning
to grind or strike the teeth together, often in anger or frustration
Example
He began to gnash his teeth in rage.
C2 noun /broʊɡ/

brogue

Meaning
A strong outdoor shoe; also a marked accent, especially Irish or Scottish.
Example
He bought a pair of stylish brogues for the wedding.
C1 noun /sərˈveɪər/

surveyor

Meaning
A person who measures and maps land, buildings, or other features.
Example
The surveyor measured the land for construction.
C2 adjective /ˈnɒmɪk/

nomic

Meaning
Relating to laws, rules, or systems.
Example
The philosopher discussed the nomic necessity of natural laws.
C1 verb /dɪˈfɔːrm/

deform

Meaning
to change the shape or form of something, especially in a way that makes it ugly or damaged; to distort
Example
The intense heat began to deform the plastic container.
C2 noun /ˈsiːkənt/

secant

Meaning
A straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points.
Example
In geometry, a secant cuts the circle at two distinct points.
B1 adjective /feɪld/

failed

Meaning
not successful in achieving a desired result
Example
The project failed to meet the expectations.
C2 adjective /juːˈnɪsənənt/

unisonant

Meaning
Sounding together or in harmony.
Example
The unisonant voices created a powerful effect.
B1 adverb /ˈprɒpərli/

properly

Meaning
in the correct or suitable manner
Example
He performed the task properly to avoid mistakes.
C2 verb /ˈvaɪtəlaɪz/

vitalize

Meaning
To give life, energy, or strength to something.
Example
Fresh air and exercise can vitalize the body and mind.
A2 noun /ˈhæn.dəl/

Handle

Meaning
the part by which a thing is held, carried, or controlled; to manage or deal with something
Example
The suitcase has a sturdy handle that makes it easy to carry through the airport.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪˌliːtər/

centiliter

Meaning
A metric unit of capacity equal to one hundredth of a liter.
Example
The recipe calls for 20 centiliters of milk.
C2 noun /ˈbɛnɪsən/

benison

Meaning
A blessing or benefit.
Example
The rain was a benison for the drought-stricken farmers.