cronyism
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C1 noun /ˈkroʊniˌɪzəm/

cronyism

Meaning
The practice of favoring friends or associates, especially in political appointments or business deals.
Example
The company was accused of cronyism in hiring practices.
C1 noun sælˈveɪʃən

salvation

Meaning
Deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.
Example
The story revolves around the theme of salvation.
C2 adjective /ˌʌnsɛrəˈmoʊniəs/

unceremonious

Meaning
Done without formality or courtesy; abrupt or rude.
Example
He made an unceremonious exit from the party.
C1 verb bɪˈkwiːð

bequeath

Meaning
Leave something to someone in a will; pass down or hand down to the next generation.
Example
The scientist bequeathed his research papers to the university.
A2 noun,verb /kɔːrt/

court

Meaning
a place where legal cases are heard or to seek favor or attention
Example
He courted the judge with respect.
C2 adjective /ˈfrəʊərd/

froward

Meaning
Difficult to deal with; contrary and disobedient.
Example
The teacher found the froward child hard to manage.
C1 noun /ˈbroʊkərɪdʒ/

brokerage

Meaning
A firm that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, often charging a fee.
Example
The real estate brokerage helped them find a new home.
A2 preposition /ˈɒntu/

onto

Meaning
moving to a position on the surface of something
Example
She jumped onto the table to get the book.
C1 noun /ˈpɪn.sərz/

Pincers

Meaning
a tool made of two curved or hinged pieces of metal used for gripping and pulling things
Example
The chef used pincers to remove the hot pot from the stove.
C2 noun, adjective /ɪˈklɪptɪk/

ecliptic

Meaning
The apparent path of the sun across the sky; relating to eclipses or this path.
Example
The ecliptic is the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtbɜːrst/

outburst

Meaning
a sudden release of strong emotion or activity
Example
She had an angry outburst during the meeting.
C2 adjective /ˌstætʃuˈɛsk/

statuesque

Meaning
Having the grace, beauty, or dignity of a statue; tall and attractively proportioned.
Example
She had a statuesque figure that turned heads wherever she went.
B2 noun /ˈdʒel.ə.si/

Jealousy

Meaning
a feeling of envy of someone or their achievements; resentment against a rival
Example
His jealousy over his colleague's promotion led to tension in the workplace.
B1 noun ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti

creativity

Meaning
The ability to use imagination to produce original ideas or to make something new or imaginative.
Example
His creativity was evident in his artwork.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɔːri/

hortatory

Meaning
Intended to encourage or urge to action.
Example
The manager’s hortatory words inspired the team to work harder.
B1 noun /əˈtendəns/

Attendance

Meaning
the action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place or event
Example
The teacher takes attendance at the beginning of each class.
B2 verb /dɪˈvoʊt/

devote

Meaning
to give time, effort, or resources to something
Example
She devotes much of her time to helping the poor.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪ.nəs/

Heinous

Meaning
extremely wicked or evil; abominable; morally reprehensible
Example
The heinous crime shocked the entire community.
B1 noun /ˈmoʊ.ʃən/

Motion

Meaning
the action of moving or being moved; a formal proposal
Example
The car was in constant motion during the journey.
A1 pronoun /ðæt/

that

Meaning
used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard
Example
That is my book on the table.
B2 verb /ʌnˈkʌvə(r)/

uncover

Meaning
to reveal something that was hidden or secret
Example
The investigation uncovered new evidence.
B2 noun /ˈkænvəs/

canvas

Meaning
A strong, coarse cloth used for tents, sails, or painting.
Example
The artist prepared a canvas for his new painting.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/

confiscate

Meaning
to take something away officially, often as a punishment
Example
The teacher confiscated the student's phone during class.
A2 noun /ɡəˈrɪl.ə/

Gorilla

Meaning
a large powerful ape found in the forests of central Africa
Example
The gorilla beat its chest to show dominance.
C2 adjective /sɪər/

sere

Meaning
Dry or withered, especially vegetation.
Example
The sere leaves crumbled under his feet.
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 verb /dɪˈfoʊlieɪt/

defoliate

Meaning
to strip leaves from a tree, plant, or area, often using chemicals
Example
The farmers defoliated the fields before harvest.
C2 noun /ˈfriːˌθɪŋkər/

freethinker

Meaning
A person who forms opinions based on reason and independent thought rather than tradition or authority.
Example
Voltaire was considered a great freethinker of his time.
C2 noun /riːm/

ream

Meaning
A large quantity of paper (typically 500 sheets); informally, a large amount of something.
Example
The office ordered ten reams of paper.
B2 adjective /ˈtræŋkwɪl/

tranquil

Meaning
Free from disturbance; calm and peaceful.
Example
A tranquil environment promotes relaxation and focus.
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.
B2 noun /depθ/

Depth

Meaning
the distance from the top or surface to the bottom; the quality of being intense or profound
Example
The depth of the ocean in this area reaches over three thousand meters.
B1 adverb /ˈkɒnstəntli/

Constantly

Meaning
continuously over a period of time; always; without stopping
Example
The baby was constantly crying throughout the night.
C2 adjective /laɪˈsɛnʃəs/

licentious

Meaning
Lacking moral restraint; disregarding accepted rules of conduct.
Example
The novel was criticized for its licentious themes.
B2 noun ˈlænd.mɑːk

landmark

Meaning
An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance; an important stage or turning point.
Example
The space restaurant is a landmark in innovation.
C1 verb /aɪˈdiː.ə.laɪz/

idealize

Meaning
To regard or represent something as perfect or better than it really is.
Example
Children often idealize their parents.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈplɛzəntli/

unpleasantly

Meaning
in a way that causes discomfort, annoyance, or displeasure; in an unfriendly or disagreeable manner
Example
The room was unpleasantly hot during the afternoon.
C2 noun /ˌdɪləˈtænt/

dilettante

Meaning
A person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a superficial way.
Example
He was dismissed as a dilettante in the art world because he lacked formal training.
A2 noun ˈrɛlətɪvz

Relatives

Meaning
A person connected by blood or marriage; a kinsman or kinswoman.
Example
Relatives can help you build a complete family tree.
C2 noun /ˌbædɪˈnɑːʒ/

badinage

Meaning
Playful and humorous conversation; banter.
Example
The friends enjoyed a light badinage over coffee.
B2 verb /straɪd/

stride

Meaning
to walk with long, decisive steps; to make progress
Example
She strode confidently across the stage.
C1 adjective /ˈsliːzi/

sleazy

Meaning
morally low, dirty, or cheap in quality
Example
He avoided the sleazy nightclub downtown.
C2 verb /ˈpælieɪt/

palliate

Meaning
to make a disease, symptoms, or problem less severe without removing the cause
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine to palliate the patient's pain.
A2 verb /kəmˈper/

compare

Meaning
to examine similarities and differences between things
Example
I will compare these two products before buying.
C1 noun /ˌsæbəˈtɜːr/

saboteur

Meaning
A person who engages in sabotage.
Example
The saboteur was arrested before he could plant the bomb.
B2 noun /ˈker.ə.siːn/

Kerosene

Meaning
a combustible hydrocarbon liquid widely used as a fuel in lamps and heating systems
Example
The old lamp burned kerosene to provide light during power outages.
B1 noun /ˈɒnɪsti/

honesty

Meaning
the quality of being truthful and sincere
Example
Honesty is the best policy in all situations.
B2 noun /daɪm/

dime

Meaning
a small coin, especially a U.S. coin worth ten cents
Example
He gave me a dime for the phone call.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbɔɪ/ or /ˈbuːi/

buoy

Meaning
A floating marker on water; to keep something afloat or encourage someone.
Example
The news buoyed their spirits after the loss.
B2 adjective /ˈræp.ɪd/

Rapid

Meaning
happening in a short time or at a fast pace
Example
The rapid growth of technology has changed our daily lives.
B2 noun /ˈbev.ər.ɪdʒ/

Beverage

Meaning
a drink, especially one other than water
Example
Would you like a hot or cold beverage with your meal?
B1 adjective /ˈprɛɡnənt/

pregnant

Meaning
having a child developing in the womb; also, full of meaning or significance
Example
She announced that she was three months pregnant.
B2 noun /rɪm/

rim

Meaning
the outer edge or border of a circular object
Example
The coffee cup had a chip on its rim.
C1 adjective/adverb /əˈmɪs/

amiss

Meaning
Not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.
Example
Something seems amiss with the car's engine.
C2 noun /ˈæn.əlz/

annals

Meaning
Historical records of events, usually arranged chronologically.
Example
Her name will be remembered in the annals of science.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈskjuːzəbl/

excusable

Meaning
Able to be forgiven or justified.
Example
Her mistake was excusable given the circumstances.
C1 adjective /ˌmel.ənˈkɒl.ɪk/

Melancholic

Meaning
sad and thoughtful; feeling or expressing sadness
Example
The melancholic music made everyone feel sad.
B2 adjective /ɪmˈprɒp.ər/

Improper

Meaning
inappropriate; incorrect; not suitable
Example
It would be improper to discuss personal matters in a business meeting.
B1 adjective /ˈsensəbəl/

Sensible

Meaning
having or showing good sense; practical and reasonable
Example
It would be sensible to take an umbrella because it might rain.
C1 verb /ˈdræm.ə.taɪz/

dramatize

Meaning
to present a story in a dramatic way, or to exaggerate something
Example
The novel was dramatized into a popular TV series.
C1 verb /dɪˈtɛst/

detest

Meaning
To dislike intensely or hate.
Example
I detest waking up early on weekends.
B2 adjective /ˈtrʌblsəm/

Troublesome

Meaning
causing difficulty or annoyance; problematic
Example
The troublesome student disrupted the class again.
C1 noun /dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/

deliberations

Meaning
Careful consideration and discussion before making decisions.
Example
Deliberations on sustainability continued for hours.
B1 verb /rɪˈflekt/

reflect

Meaning
to think deeply about; to mirror back light or image
Example
The mirror reflects her beautiful face.
C1 verb ˈsɪn.ɚ.dʒaɪz

synergize

Meaning
combine in such a way as to enhance effectiveness.
Example
The departments must synergize to improve efficiency.
A2 noun /kæʃ/

cash

Meaning
money in the form of bills or coins, not checks or credit
Example
She paid the bill in cash.
B1 adjective /ˈsɒlɪd/

solid

Meaning
firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid
Example
The ground was solid underfoot.
A2 noun ˈfɔːrɪsts

Forests

Meaning
Large areas covered with trees and undergrowth, providing natural habitats for wildlife.
Example
Forests provide shelter and food for butterflies.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛnʃəl/

penitential

Meaning
Relating to or expressing penitence or penance.
Example
The priest delivered a penitential sermon on forgiveness.
B2 noun /oʊk/

oak

Meaning
a large tree that produces acorns and has strong, hard wood
Example
The old oak tree provided shade for the entire yard.
A1 noun/verb /ˈraɪ.tɪŋ/

writing

Meaning
The activity of putting words on paper or composing text; the written form of communication.
Example
She spends hours every day on her creative writing.
B2 noun /əˈtɜːrni/

attorney

Meaning
a person who practices law; a lawyer
Example
She hired an attorney to represent her in court.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/

dissertation

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually written for a university degree.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral dissertation.
B2 noun ˈnɒv.əl.ti

novelty

Meaning
The quality of being new, original, or unusual; a new or unfamiliar thing or experience.
Example
The novelty of the invention attracted investors.
C1 noun /hoʊks/

Hoax

Meaning
a humorous or malicious deception; something intended to trick or deceive people
Example
The news about aliens landing turned out to be an elaborate hoax created by pranksters.
C1 adjective /ˈskwɒlɪd/

squalid

Meaning
extremely dirty and unpleasant, often due to poverty or neglect
Example
He lived in a squalid room with broken furniture.
C1 verb /vəˈkeɪt/

vacate

Meaning
to leave a place; to make empty by leaving
Example
The tenants must vacate the apartment by the end of the month.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːli ˌmaʊðd/

mealy-mouthed

Meaning
Unwilling to speak directly and honestly; insincere or evasive in speech.
Example
The manager gave a mealy-mouthed excuse instead of admitting the mistake.
C2 adjective /vəˈreɪʃəs/

veracious

Meaning
Truthful, honest; habitually speaking the truth.
Example
She gave a veracious account of what happened that day.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səˈbɔːr.dɪ.nət/

insubordinate

Meaning
Defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
Example
The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions.
C2 noun /ˈbɛlˌwɛðər/

bellwether

Meaning
A person or thing that leads or indicates a trend.
Example
The company is seen as a bellwether of the technology industry.
C2 verb əˈmiːljəreɪt

ameliorate

Meaning
To make better; improve or enhance something.
Example
The new policies are designed to ameliorate living conditions.
A2 adjective ˈmed.ɪ.kəl

medical

Meaning
Relating to the practice of medicine or the treatment of illness and injuries.
Example
Medical education has improved significantly.
A2 verb /ɡriːt/

greet

Meaning
to welcome someone; to say hello
Example
She greeted her guests warmly at the door.
B2 noun /rek/

Wreck

Meaning
the destruction or disabling of a ship or vehicle; something that has been badly damaged or destroyed
Example
The car wreck blocked the highway for hours.
C2 verb /aɪˈtɪnəˌreɪt/

itinerate

Meaning
To travel from place to place, usually for the purpose of work or preaching.
Example
The missionary itinerated throughout the region to spread the message.
C1 verb /priːˈɛmpt/

preempt

Meaning
To take action in order to prevent something from happening; to take the place of something.
Example
The government acted quickly to preempt a financial crisis.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈbɛrɪŋ/

overbearing

Meaning
unpleasantly or arrogantly domineering
Example
His overbearing attitude made everyone uncomfortable.
B2 noun /ˌɪnstəˈbɪləti/

instability

Meaning
lack of stability or balance; tendency to change, fail, or collapse easily
Example
Political instability has slowed economic growth in the region.
C1 noun /ˈeɪ.kər.ɪdʒ/

acreage

Meaning
An area of land measured in acres.
Example
The farmer owns a large acreage of fertile land.
B2 noun /saɪˈkaɪətrɪst/

psychiatrist

Meaning
a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness
Example
The psychiatrist prescribed medication for the patient’s anxiety.
C1 noun ˈledʒ.ɪ.slə.tʃər

legislature

Meaning
The legislative body of a country or state; the branch of government that makes laws.
Example
The legislature drafts laws for governance.
B1 noun /ˈmæɡnət/

magnet

Meaning
An object that produces a magnetic field and attracts metals like iron.
Example
The magnet held the paper to the fridge door.
C1 noun /nɪˈɡeɪʃən/

negation

Meaning
The act of denying something; the contradiction or absence of something.
Example
The theory is built on the negation of traditional beliefs.
C1 verb /vɪə(r)/

veer

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

anthem

Meaning
A song that is identified with a particular group, movement, or nation, often expressing pride or unity.
Example
The national anthem was played before the football match.
B2 noun /kəˈmiː.li.ən/

Chameleon

Meaning
a lizard that can change color to match its surroundings
Example
The chameleon changed its color from green to brown.
B2 noun /ˈhaʊs boʊt/

House boat

Meaning
a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home
Example
They spent their vacation on a beautiful house boat in the lake.
A2 noun /ˈkɒm.ent/

comment

Meaning
a verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction
Example
She posted a kind comment on my photo.
B1 verb /rɪˈtɜrnɪŋ/

returning

Meaning
Coming or going back to a place or person.
Example
The group is returning to the port on December 25th.
C2 noun /ˈkedʒ.ə.riː/

Kedgeree

Meaning
a European dish of cooked rice, fish, and hard-boiled eggs, originally from India
Example
The breakfast menu featured traditional kedgeree with smoked haddock and eggs.
B2 noun/verb /ˈsoʊ.ɪŋ/

sewing

Meaning
The activity or skill of joining fabric using a needle and thread
Example
She enjoys sewing her own clothes on weekends.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/

diminutive

Meaning
extremely or unusually small
Example
Despite his diminutive size, he was a powerful leader.
C1 noun /pɒmp/

pomp

Meaning
ceremonial display or splendor; grandeur
Example
The graduation ceremony was full of pomp and circumstance.
B2 verb /ˈbrɪdʒɪŋ/

bridging

Meaning
The action of building a bridge over something; connecting or reducing the distance between two things.
Example
The new initiative is bridging the gap between urban and rural development.
C2 noun /ˈfjʊr.ʌŋ.kəl/

Furuncle

Meaning
a painful pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected, inflamed hair follicles
Example
The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the painful furuncle on his neck.
B2 noun /ɡreɪs/

grace

Meaning
simple elegance or refined movement; goodwill and kindness
Example
She moved with grace across the stage.
C2 adverb /əˈbæk/

Aback

Meaning
by surprise; unexpectedly
Example
I was taken aback by his sudden announcement.
A1 adverb /bɪˈhaɪnd/

Behind

Meaning
at the back of; following; lagging
Example
The car behind us was honking.
A2 pronoun /wɒtˈɛvər/

whatever

Meaning
used to refer to anything or everything that is of the type mentioned
Example
You can choose whatever you like.
C1 adjective əˈblɪv.i.əs

oblivious

Meaning
Being completely unaware of surrounding events.
Example
He was oblivious to the noise around him while reading.
B2 noun/verb /kjuː/

cue

Meaning
A signal or prompt for action; to give a signal.
Example
The actor waited for his cue before entering the stage.
C1 noun /ˌjuːθəˈneɪʒə/

euthanasia

Meaning
The practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.
Example
The debate about euthanasia raises difficult ethical questions.
C1 adverb /ˈɡeɪ.li/

Gaily

Meaning
in a cheerful and lively manner
Example
The children danced gaily at the festival.
B2 verb /kəmˈpraɪz/

comprise

Meaning
To consist of or be made up of something.
Example
The committee comprises five members.
B2 noun kjuːz

cues

Meaning
Signals or hints from conversation or environment that help understanding
Example
Facial expressions provide cues about a person's emotions.
B2 adjective ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡrəl

integral

Meaning
Necessary to make a complete whole; essential or fundamental.
Example
Exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.
A1 noun /ˈwɪn.doʊ/

Window

Meaning
an opening in a wall fitted with glass to let in light and air
Example
Please open the window for fresh air.
A2 noun /ˈsɛlər/

seller

Meaning
a person who sells something
Example
The seller offered a discount on bulk purchases.
C1 noun /ɪnˈækjʊrəsi/

inaccuracy

Meaning
lack of accuracy or precision; an incorrect or wrong detail
Example
The report contained several factual inaccuracies.
C1 noun/verb /ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/

varnish

Meaning
A liquid that is applied to wood or other materials to form a hard, shiny surface; also to apply such a liquid.
Example
The carpenter varnished the table to give it a glossy finish.