crabbed
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C2 adjective /ˈkræbɪd/

crabbed

Meaning
difficult to read or understand; ill-tempered
Example
His handwriting was crabbed and almost illegible.
C2 noun /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.rɪˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən/

bioremediation

Meaning
The use of living organisms to neutralize or remove environmental contaminants.
Example
Bioremediation helps remove toxins from polluted soil.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈstɜː.lɪŋ/

sterling

Meaning
British money, especially pounds; of excellent quality.
Example
She was praised for her sterling work on the project.
B2 adjective /ˈʃeɪm.fəl/

Shameful

Meaning
causing shame; disgraceful; embarrassing
Example
His shameful behavior embarrassed the entire family.
C2 noun/verb /ˈkætˌkɔːl/

catcall

Meaning
A loud whistle or shout of disapproval or sexual harassment directed at someone.
Example
The actress ignored the catcalls from the crowd.
C1 adjective ˈkʌm.bə.səm

cumbersome

Meaning
Heavy, unwieldy, difficult to handle or carry.
Example
The cumbersome luggage slowed him down.
C2 noun /ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən/

affectation

Meaning
an unnatural behavior or speech intended to impress others
Example
Her British accent was just an affectation to sound sophisticated.
C1 noun /ˈskɛptɪk/

skeptic

Meaning
A person who doubts or questions accepted beliefs or claims.
Example
The scientist was a skeptic of theories without solid evidence.
B2 noun /næˈreɪʃən/

narration

Meaning
The act of telling a story or describing events in detail.
Example
The movie’s narration was done by a famous actor.
C2 noun /ˈbɔːlsəm/

Balsam

Meaning
a flowering plant with colorful blooms that often open in the evening; also refers to aromatic resin
Example
The garden balsam flowers bloomed beautifully in various shades of pink and purple.
B2 adverb /ˈmɪərli/

merely

Meaning
Only; nothing more than.
Example
She was merely trying to help.
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 /stjuːˈpɪdəti/

stupidity

Meaning
lack of intelligence or common sense
Example
His stupidity caused a lot of problems for the team.
C1 adjective ˌkwɪn.tɪˈsen.ʃəl

quintessential

Meaning
representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Example
The artist's work is the quintessential example of modernism.
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.
C1 noun /ˈprɒvənəns/

provenance

Meaning
The origin or source of something.
Example
The museum verified the provenance of the ancient manuscript.
B1 phrasal verb /bloʊ aʊt/

blow out

Meaning
to extinguish by blowing; to fail suddenly or burst; to expand or exceed limits dramatically
Example
She blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
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.
B2 noun /ˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən/

Acquisition

Meaning
An asset or object bought or obtained, typically by a library or museum.
Example
The company's acquisition strategy boosted growth.
C2 noun /ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

plentitude

Meaning
the condition of being full or abundant
Example
The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring.
B2 noun kəˈmɪʃ.ən

commission

Meaning
An official group of people entrusted by a government with a particular function.
Example
The commission recommends constitutional reforms.
A2 noun /ˈplɛʒər/

pleasure

Meaning
a feeling of happiness or enjoyment
Example
It was a pleasure to meet you.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/

hypothesis

Meaning
a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Example
The scientist tested her hypothesis through multiple experiments.
C1 noun /ˌvəʊ.kəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

vocalization

Meaning
The action of producing sounds with the voice; the expression of thoughts or feelings in spoken words.
Example
The vocalization of the singer captivated the audience.
B2 noun /ˈhæn.di.krɑːft/

Handicraft

Meaning
an activity involving the making of decorative domestic or other objects with the hands; handmade artistic work
Example
The local market featured beautiful handicrafts made by skilled artisans from the region.
C1 adjective /ˌæl.truˈɪs.tɪk/

altruistic

Meaning
Showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Example
Her altruistic nature led her to volunteer for charities.
C1 adjective /əˈɡæst/

aghast

Meaning
filled with shock or horror
Example
The audience was aghast at the tragic scene.
B1 adverb /ˈhaɪli/

highly

Meaning
to a great degree; very
Example
She is highly respected in her field.
B2 noun ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃən

implementation

Meaning
The process of putting a decision or plan into effect; execution.
Example
Proper implementation of policies is crucial.
C1 adjective /ˌhɒməˈdʒiːniəs/

homogeneous

Meaning
Of the same kind; alike.
Example
The team was not homogeneous in their skills.
C2 noun /nɑnˈen.tə.ti/

Nonentity

Meaning
a person of no importance or influence; something that does not exist
Example
He felt like a nonentity in the large corporation.
C2 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowzy

Meaning
Unkempt, messy, or having a musty, unpleasant smell.
Example
He entered the room with a frowzy appearance after sleeping on the couch.
B2 verb /rɪˈzuːm/

resume

Meaning
to start again after a pause or interruption
Example
We will resume the meeting after lunch.
B1 noun /meɪt/

mate

Meaning
a friend or companion; a partner in marriage or reproduction
Example
He went fishing with his old school mate.
B1 verb /rʌb/

rub

Meaning
to press and move something firmly against a surface; to apply pressure with movement
Example
She rubbed her hands together to keep them warm.
C2 noun /ˈpɛdɪmənt/

pediment

Meaning
a triangular gable found above the horizontal structure of a building, often in classical architecture
Example
The ancient temple had a pediment decorated with sculptures.
A2 verb /ˈprɒmɪs/

promise

Meaning
to assure someone that one will definitely do something; to give one's word
Example
I promise to help you with your homework.
C1 noun /ˈleɪˌpɜːrsən/

layperson

Meaning
A person who is not a member of the clergy or does not have specialized knowledge in a subject.
Example
The judge explained the law so that the layperson could understand.
B2 noun /ˈdeɪ.tə briːtʃ/

data breach

Meaning
Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information through security violation
Example
A data breach exposed millions of users' passwords.
C1 verb /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

inhibit

Meaning
to prevent or restrain someone or something from acting freely; to hinder
Example
Fear can inhibit personal growth.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈhɛlpfəl/

unhelpful

Meaning
not providing help or support; making a situation harder rather than easier
Example
His unhelpful attitude slowed down the entire project.
C1 adjective /prəˈlɪf.ɪk/

prolific

Meaning
Present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful; producing many works, results, or offspring.
Example
The author is prolific, having written over 30 books.
C1 noun /ˈdʒuː.və.naɪl/

Juvenile

Meaning
a young person below the age of adult criminal responsibility; relating to young people
Example
The juvenile court handles cases involving young offenders under eighteen.
C2 verb /ˌʌn.dɪˈsiːv/

undeceive

Meaning
To free someone from a misconception or false belief.
Example
She tried to undeceive him about the false rumors.
C1 noun /ˈfoʊliɪdʒ/

foliage

Meaning
The leaves of a plant, collectively.
Example
The autumn foliage looked stunning in the park.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪnˌʌp/

lineup

Meaning
a group of people or things arranged in a sequence
Example
The event featured a star-studded lineup of musicians.
B2 verb /tiːz/

Tease

Meaning
to make fun of someone in a playful or unkind way
Example
Children often tease their younger siblings playfully.
C2 adjective /mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/

mendacious

Meaning
not telling the truth; lying
Example
The politician was known for his mendacious statements.
B2 adverb /ˈnɔɪzɪli/

Noisily

Meaning
in a way that makes a lot of noise; loudly
Example
The children were playing noisily in the playground.
C1 noun /ɪɡˈzɜːr.ʃən/

exertion

Meaning
Using energy or effort to achieve something.
Example
Excessive exertion can lead to fatigue and burnout.
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.
C1 verb əˈblɪt.ə.reɪt

obliterate

Meaning
To destroy utterly; wipe out completely, to erase or remove something completely.
Example
The storm obliterated entire villages.
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 adjective /ˈpraɪ.ər/

Prior

Meaning
existing or coming before in time; previous; earlier
Example
You need prior approval before making any changes to the system.
B2 noun /ˈruːmər/

Rumour

Meaning
a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth; gossip
Example
There's a rumour that the company will close next month.
B2 noun /ˈɑːr.mər/

Armour

Meaning
protective covering worn by soldiers; metal plating for military vehicles
Example
The knight wore heavy armour to protect himself in battle.
C1 verb /ɡreɪt/

grate

Meaning
to shred food into small pieces using a grater; to irritate or annoy
Example
She grated the cheese for the pasta dish.
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.
C1 adjective /əˈbreɪsɪv/

abrasive

Meaning
harsh, rough, or capable of wearing down by rubbing
Example
His abrasive tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 verb /ʌnˈroʊl/

unroll

Meaning
to open something that is rolled up; to spread out gradually
Example
She unrolled the map on the table to find the route.
B2 noun /ˈsɪləbəs/

syllabus

Meaning
An outline or summary of topics to be covered in a course of study.
Example
The professor handed out the syllabus on the first day of class.
C1 adjective /ˈpoʊləraɪzd/

polarized

Meaning
divided into two sharply contrasting groups or opinions
Example
The debate polarized the community on the issue of climate change.
B1 adjective /ˈtwɛntiəθ/

twentieth

Meaning
coming after the nineteenth in order; being one of twenty equal parts.
Example
She was born on the twentieth of April.
A1 noun /bæk/

Back

Meaning
the rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips; the spine
Example
She hurt her back while lifting heavy boxes.
A2 noun /ɡʌn/

Gun

Meaning
a weapon that fires bullets or other projectiles from a metal tube
Example
The soldier cleaned his gun after the training session.
C1 noun fluˈɪd.ɪ.ti

fluidity

Meaning
The ability of a substance to flow easily; smooth and graceful movement or style.
Example
The fluidity of the dancer's movements was mesmerizing.
A2 adjective /əˈlaɪv/

Alive

Meaning
living; not dead; full of life and energy
Example
The old man is still alive and healthy.
A1 adjective /lɔːŋ/

Long

Meaning
having great length; extended in distance or time
Example
The long road stretched for miles ahead.
B2 noun /ˈʌpˌkiːp/

up-keep

Meaning
The process or cost of maintaining something in good condition.
Example
The upkeep of the old house is very expensive.
B2 noun /ˈɡreɪv.jɑːrd/

Graveyard

Meaning
an area of land set aside for burial of the dead; a cemetery
Example
The old graveyard near the church dates back to the 18th century.
B1 adjective /ˌel.ɪˈmen.tər.i/

Elementary

Meaning
basic; fundamental; primary level
Example
He learned elementary mathematics in school.
C2 noun, verb /ˈpɑːrli/

parley

Meaning
a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms
Example
The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender.
C1 adjective pərˈnɪʃəs

pernicious

Meaning
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
Example
The pernicious effects of smoking are well-documented.
B2 adverb ˌsɪməlˈteɪnɪəsli

simultaneously

Meaning
At the same time; occurring or existing at the same time.
Example
He worked on two projects simultaneously.
B2 noun /suː.pɪər.iˈɔːr.ə.ti/

Superiority

Meaning
the quality or state of being superior; higher rank or quality
Example
His superiority in mathematics was evident from his test scores.
C1 verb /ˈɪə.mɑːrk/

earmark

Meaning
To designate funds, resources, or time for a particular purpose.
Example
The government has earmarked funds for education.
A2 verb /ˈmɪsɪŋ/

missing

Meaning
Being without or lacking; failing to be present or included.
Example
Many youths are missing economic opportunities.
B1 noun /ˈpæsɪŋ/

passing

Meaning
the act of moving past something or the end of someone's life
Example
The passing of the leader was a great loss for the nation.
B2 noun/verb /ˈoʊvərˌdoʊs/

overdose

Meaning
An excessive and dangerous amount of a drug; to take too much of a substance.
Example
He was rushed to the hospital after a drug overdose.
B2 noun /ˈhɑːr.mə.ni/

harmony

Meaning
A pleasing combination of different elements or a state of peaceful coexistence.
Example
A society thrives when there is harmony among its people.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrðərəns/

furtherance

Meaning
The advancement or promotion of something.
Example
The new policy was introduced in furtherance of social justice.
C2 noun /pəˈveɪʒən/

pervasion

Meaning
the act of spreading through or being present everywhere in something
Example
There was a pervasion of hope throughout the community.
B2 verb /ˌkoʊ.ɪnˈsaɪd/

coincide

Meaning
To occur at the same time or to be in agreement.
Example
The meeting coincided with her birthday.
C2 noun /rɪˈsɪdɪˌvɪzəm/

recidivism

Meaning
The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior.
Example
The government introduced new programs to reduce recidivism among former inmates.
C1 noun /flæt fɪʃ/

Flat fish

Meaning
a type of fish with a flattened body that lives on the sea floor
Example
Flat fish like sole and flounder are excellent for grilling.
C2 noun /ˌɡæskəˈneɪd/

gasconade

Meaning
Extravagant boasting or bragging.
Example
His endless gasconade made him unpopular among his peers.
A2 adverb /ˈnoʊwɛr/

Nowhere

Meaning
not anywhere; in no place
Example
I searched everywhere but the keys were nowhere to be found.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪŋkəˌpeɪtɪd/

syncopated

Meaning
Characterized by displaced beats or rhythms, especially in music.
Example
The jazz piece had a syncopated rhythm that energized the crowd.
C2 noun /bɪsk/

bisque

Meaning
A rich, creamy soup made from shellfish.
Example
We ordered lobster bisque at the restaurant.
C1 verb /ɡloʊt/

gloat

Meaning
To take pleasure in someone else's misfortune or to show smug satisfaction.
Example
He couldn't help but gloat over his rival's failure.
B2 adjective /ˈsel.jə.lər/

Cellular

Meaning
relating to cells; consisting of cells; relating to mobile phone technology
Example
Cellular technology has revolutionized communication.
C2 adjective /əˈkɜːrsɪd/

accursed

Meaning
Doomed, detestable, or under a curse.
Example
The villagers avoided the accursed house on the hill.
C2 verb /ɪnˈveɪɡəl/

inveigle

Meaning
To persuade someone to do something by deception or flattery.
Example
She inveigled him into signing the contract.
B2 verb /bɑːrk/

bark

Meaning
to make a sharp sound like a dog; to speak angrily
Example
The dog barks at strangers.
B1 noun /ˈjuːnɪvɜːrs/

Universe

Meaning
all existing matter and space; the cosmos
Example
Scientists study the universe to understand its mysteries.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːrtər/

mortar

Meaning
a mixture used in building to bond bricks or stones together; also, a small cannon for firing shells
Example
The workers applied mortar between the bricks.
C2 adjective /ˈsɑːdn/

sodden

Meaning
thoroughly soaked or saturated with liquid
Example
His clothes were sodden after the heavy rain.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪti/

polity

Meaning
an organized society or form of government
Example
The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states.
C1 noun /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

insignificance

Meaning
The quality of being unimportant or trivial.
Example
He felt a sense of insignificance in the vast universe.
C2 verb /prɪˈpɒndəreɪt/

preponderate

Meaning
To be greater in influence, weight, or number.
Example
In the debate, logical arguments preponderated over emotional appeals.
C1 verb /wɔːrp/

warp

Meaning
To twist or bend out of shape, often due to heat or moisture.
Example
The wooden door warped in the summer heat.
A2 adjective /ˈpaʊə.fəl/

powerful

Meaning
Having great power or strength.
Example
The James Webb Telescope is the most powerful space observatory.
C2 verb /ˈæntɪdeɪt/

antedate

Meaning
to be earlier in time; to assign a date earlier than the actual one
Example
The manuscript antedates the modern printing press.
C2 verb /proʊˈskraɪb/

proscribe

Meaning
to forbid something by law or authority
Example
The new law will proscribe the use of harmful chemicals in farming.
C2 noun /ɪˈrʌp.ʃən/

Irruption

Meaning
a sudden violent entry; an invasion or raid; a sudden outburst or eruption
Example
The army's irruption into enemy territory caught the opposing forces completely off guard.
B2 noun /njuːˈtrɪʃ.ən/

nutrition

Meaning
The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
Example
Good nutrition is vital for a healthy life.
C2 adjective /ɪˈbʊliənt/

ebullient

Meaning
cheerful and full of energy
Example
She was ebullient after receiving the good news.
C1 noun /ʌnˈfeɪθfʊlnəs/

unfaithfulness

Meaning
the quality of being disloyal or not faithful; breach of trust or fidelity
Example
His unfaithfulness led to the end of their marriage.
C2 adjective /ˈɪndələnt/

indolent

Meaning
Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
Example
The indolent cat slept in the sun all afternoon.
B1 noun ˈtʊə.rɪ.zəm

tourism

Meaning
The commercial organization and operation of vacations and visits to places of interest.
Example
Tourism drives economic growth in many countries.
C2 noun /ˈsʌfərəns/

sufferance

Meaning
patient endurance of pain, hardship, or delay; passive consent or tolerance
Example
He lived in poverty with quiet sufferance.
A2 adverb /ɪɡˈzækt.li/

Exactly

Meaning
precisely; accurately; in complete agreement
Example
Tell me exactly what happened during the meeting.
B2 noun /səˈspɛnʃən/

suspension

Meaning
The act of temporarily stopping something; also refers to a system in vehicles that absorbs shock.
Example
The player received a three-game suspension for misconduct.
C1 noun ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs.nəs

conscientiousness

Meaning
The quality of wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly; diligence.
Example
Her conscientiousness in work led to a well-organized project.
A1 preposition /ˈdjʊərɪŋ/

during

Meaning
throughout the course of a period of time
Example
I fell asleep during the movie.
B1 verb /koʊˈɑːpəreɪt/

cooperate

Meaning
to work together; to collaborate
Example
The teams cooperate to achieve their common goals.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
C1 noun /ˈskwɒtər/

squatter

Meaning
a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land
Example
The police removed the squatters from the abandoned house.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈluː.nə.tɪk/

lunatic

Meaning
A person who is insane or acting in a foolish or reckless way; also used as an adjective meaning insane.
Example
The driver was driving like a lunatic on the highway.
B2 adjective /ɪˈlæs.tɪk/

Elastic

Meaning
able to stretch and return to original shape; flexible; adaptable
Example
The elastic band can stretch and return to its original shape.
B1 noun /tɜːmz/

terms

Meaning
plural of term; conditions or rules in a contract or agreement
Example
The terms of the agreement are clearly outlined in the contract.