cumbersome
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C1 adjective ˈkʌm.bə.səm

cumbersome

Meaning
Heavy, unwieldy, difficult to handle or carry.
Example
The cumbersome luggage slowed him down.
C1 noun /ˈkleɪmənt/

claimant

Meaning
a person who makes a claim, especially in a legal or financial context
Example
The claimant filed for compensation after the accident.
C1 verb /kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt/

capitulate

Meaning
to surrender or give in after resisting
Example
The army had no choice but to capitulate to the enemy.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃən/

conflagaration

Meaning
This is a common misspelling of 'conflagration', which means a large, destructive fire.
Example
The term 'conflagaration' is often incorrectly used instead of 'conflagration'.
C1 verb /kənˈtraɪv/

contrive

Meaning
to plan or devise cleverly or skillfully
Example
She contrived a clever plan to surprise her friends.
C1 verb /klɪntʃ/

clinch

Meaning
To secure or settle something decisively; to grasp tightly.
Example
The team clinched the championship with a last-minute goal.
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.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

compulsive

Meaning
Resulting from or acting on an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.
Example
He is a compulsive gambler who cannot stop placing bets.
C1 noun /ˌkɒn.təmˈpleɪ.ʃən/

contemplation

Meaning
The action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time; deep reflective thought.
Example
She sat in contemplation before making her decision.
C1 noun /ˈʃæpəroʊn/

chaperon

Meaning
An older person who accompanies and supervises young people in social situations.
Example
The teacher acted as a chaperon during the school dance.
C1 noun ˌsɛn.trə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

centralization

Meaning
The concentration of control and decision-making power in a central authority.
Example
Excessive centralization can slow down decision-making.
C1 noun /ˈkæviˌæt/

caveat

Meaning
a warning or condition to be considered before taking action
Example
The proposal was accepted with one caveat.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrmɪst/

conformist

Meaning
A person who uncritically conforms to established practices or standards.
Example
She was labeled a conformist for always following the crowd.
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.
C1 adjective ˈser.ɪ.brəl

cerebral

Meaning
Of the cerebrum of the brain.
Example
Cerebral functions regulate thoughts.
C1 verb /kənˈkɒkt/

concoct

Meaning
to make something, especially food or a story, by mixing or inventing
Example
He concocted a story to explain his absence.
C1 noun/verb kənˈdʒɛk.tʃər

conjecture

Meaning
An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information; to form an opinion or supposition about something.
Example
The scientist's conjecture was later proven true.
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.
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.
C1 verb /ˈsenʃər/

censure

Meaning
to criticize severely; to express strong disapproval
Example
The committee censured the politician for his misconduct.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/

countenance

Meaning
a person's face or expression; support or approval
Example
Her cheerful countenance brightened the room.
C1 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.bəʊn/

Collar-bone

Meaning
either of the pair of bones joining the breastbone to the shoulder blades; clavicle
Example
He broke his collar-bone in the accident.
C1 noun kəmˈpleɪ.sən.si

complacency

Meaning
Excessive self-satisfaction with one's achievements that can hinder progress.
Example
His complacency led to a decline in his performance.
C1 noun /ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃən/

congregation

Meaning
a group of people assembled for religious worship or a common purpose
Example
The congregation gathered to hear the sermon.
C1 noun /saɪˈteɪʃən/

citation

Meaning
a quotation from or reference to a book, paper, or author
Example
The research paper included a citation from Shakespeare.
C1 noun/adjective /kənˈfɛdərət/

confederate

Meaning
a person, group, or state joined in an alliance or union; relating to a confederacy
Example
The confederate soldiers fought bravely in the war.
C1 noun kəˈmjunəl ˈhɑrməni

communal harmony

Meaning
Peaceful coexistence and cooperation among different groups in a community.
Example
Maintaining communal harmony requires mutual respect and understanding.
C1 noun /ˈkʌvənənt/

covenant

Meaning
a formal agreement or promise, often legally binding
Example
The landlord and tenant signed a covenant to maintain the property.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːl.drən/

Cauldron

Meaning
a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over a fire
Example
The witch stirred her potion in a large cauldron.
C1 verb /kraʊtʃ/

crouch

Meaning
to bend your knees and lower your body close to the ground
Example
The cat crouched before leaping at its prey.
C1 noun /krəˈvæs/

crevasse

Meaning
a deep crack in a glacier or the earth’s surface
Example
The climbers carefully crossed the icy crevasse.
C1 noun, verb /kriːs/

crease

Meaning
a line or fold produced on paper, cloth, or other material; to make a fold or wrinkle
Example
She ironed the shirt carefully to remove every crease.
C1 noun /klaʊt/

clout

Meaning
influence or power, especially in politics or business
Example
The businessman has a lot of political clout.
C1 noun /ˈkænən/

canon

Meaning
A general law, rule, principle, or collection of sacred books accepted as genuine.
Example
The book is now considered part of the literary canon.
C1 noun kənˈvɜː.dʒəns

convergence

Meaning
The process of coming together from different directions to meet at a common point; unification or integration.
Example
The convergence of technologies is revolutionizing industries.
C1 noun /ˈkaʊn.tər kleɪm/

counter-claim

Meaning
a claim made to rebut a previous claim, often in legal contexts
Example
The defendant filed a counter-claim against the plaintiff.
C1 noun /ˈtʃæriət/

Chariot

Meaning
an ancient horse-drawn vehicle used in warfare and racing
Example
The warrior rode his chariot into battle with great courage.
C1 adjective + noun kəˈmendəbəl ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz

commendable initiatives

Meaning
Praiseworthy efforts or actions that deserve admiration and approval.
Example
The commendable initiatives aim to raise awareness.
C1 adjective /ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/

counterintuitive

Meaning
contrary to what one would intuitively expect
Example
His approach seems counterintuitive but it actually works.
C1 noun kənˌsɒl.ɪˈdeɪ.ʃən

Consolidation

Meaning
The process of converting newly learned information into long-term memory
Example
Sleep plays a key role in memory consolidation.
C1 noun /ˈkɒlərə/

cholera

Meaning
An infectious disease of the small intestine causing severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Example
The village suffered an outbreak of cholera after the flood.
C1 noun /klæn/

clan

Meaning
a large family group or a close-knit community with shared interests or ancestry
Example
The entire clan gathered to celebrate the festival.
C1 noun /ˈkæptər/

captor

Meaning
a person or group who has captured someone or something
Example
The hostage managed to escape from his captors.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪvəlrəs/

chivalrous

Meaning
Behaving in a courteous, gallant, and honorable way, especially toward women.
Example
He was chivalrous, always opening doors for others.
C1 noun /kəˈluːʒən/

collusion

Meaning
A secret agreement or cooperation, especially for an illegal or dishonest purpose.
Example
There was evidence of collusion between the officials and the contractors.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃən/

consternation

Meaning
A feeling of anxiety, dismay, or confusion, often caused by something unexpected.
Example
The sudden announcement caused widespread consternation among the employees.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːrlər/

curler

Meaning
A small roller used for curling hair.
Example
She used a curler to style her hair for the party.
C1 noun /kɑːrˈtɒɡrəfi/

cartography

Meaning
The science or practice of drawing maps.
Example
She studied cartography at university to learn how to design maps.
C1 adjective /kɑːrˈnɪv.ər.əs/

Carnivorous

Meaning
feeding on other animals; meat-eating
Example
Lions are carnivorous animals that hunt other animals for food.
C1 noun /ˈkjuːmɪn/

Cumin

Meaning
A spice made from the dried seeds of a plant in the parsley family, with a warm earthy flavor
Example
Cumin is an essential spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.
C1 verb /tʃɑːr/

char

Meaning
To burn or scorch something so that it becomes blackened.
Example
The cook accidentally charred the steak.
C1 noun /kənˈtɛnʃən/

contention

Meaning
heated disagreement or argument; a point asserted in debate
Example
The main contention between the two parties was over tax reform.
C1 verb /kəmˈpjuːt/

compute

Meaning
To calculate or determine by using a computer or mathematical methods.
Example
The software can compute the total cost in seconds.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrdəməm/

Cardamom

Meaning
aromatic seeds from a plant in the ginger family, used as a spice
Example
The recipe calls for a pinch of ground cardamom.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːrfjuː/

curfew

Meaning
a rule requiring people to stay indoors after a certain time, usually at night
Example
The city imposed a curfew during the unrest.
C1 noun /kənˈstɪtʃuənsi/

constituency

Meaning
A geographical area whose residents elect a representative to a legislative body.
Example
She campaigned tirelessly across her constituency.
C1 noun, verb /klɒt/

clot

Meaning
a thick mass of coagulated liquid, especially blood; to form such a mass.
Example
The doctor removed a blood clot from the patient.
C1 noun /ˈkɒləmnɪst/

columnist

Meaning
a journalist who regularly writes articles or opinions for a newspaper or magazine
Example
The columnist wrote an article about climate change.
C1 adjective /ˈtʃɛk.ərd/

checkered

Meaning
Having a pattern of alternating squares of different colors; also describing a past full of ups and downs or varied experiences.
Example
He had a checkered career with many highs and lows.
C1 adjective /kənˈkluː.sɪv/

Conclusive

Meaning
final; decisive; settling a matter completely
Example
The evidence was conclusive and left no room for doubt.
C1 noun /ˈkɒn.vɔɪ/

convoy

Meaning
a group of vehicles or ships traveling together, often for protection
Example
The military convoy moved through the desert at dawn.
C1 adjective /kəmˈplɪsɪt/

complicit

Meaning
involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing
Example
He was found complicit in the crime.
C1 noun /ˈkɜːr.i liːvz/

Curry Leaves

Meaning
aromatic leaves from the curry tree used in South Asian cooking
Example
Fresh curry leaves add authentic flavor to Indian dishes.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈkoʊvərt/

covert

Meaning
hidden, secret, or not openly acknowledged
Example
The spy conducted a covert operation behind enemy lines.
C1 verb /ˈkrɒs.briːd/

crossbreed

Meaning
to produce an animal or plant by mating two different breeds, varieties, or species
Example
Farmers crossbreed cows to improve milk production.
C1 noun /ʃæˈtoʊ/

chateau

Meaning
a large French country house or castle
Example
They stayed in a beautiful chateau in France.
C1 noun /krʊk/

crook

Meaning
a dishonest person, especially a criminal
Example
The police finally caught the crook who had been stealing cars.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrtɪlɪdʒ/

cartilage

Meaning
A firm, flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body such as joints, ear, and nose.
Example
The doctor explained that the injury damaged the cartilage in his knee.
C1 noun sɪˈmɛntɪd ɡreɪv

cemented grave

Meaning
A grave that is constructed with cement for permanence.
Example
The cemented grave of the martyrs was seen near the river.
C1 noun /kənˈsɜːvəˌtɪzəm/

conservatism

Meaning
A political or social philosophy promoting traditional institutions and resistance to change.
Example
Conservatism values tradition and gradual development.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪn.dʒən.si/

contingency

Meaning
A provision for an unforeseen event or circumstance, especially in financial planning.
Example
The company has a contingency plan for economic downturns.
C1 noun /kəˈmændər ɪn tʃiːf/

Commander-in-chief

Meaning
the supreme leader of a nation's armed forces
Example
The president serves as the commander-in-chief of the military.
C1 verb /kənˈspaɪər/

conspire

Meaning
to secretly plan with others to do something harmful or illegal
Example
They conspired to overthrow the government.
C1 adjective ˈklaɪ.mət rɪˈzɪl.i.ənt

climate-resilient

Meaning
Able to cope with the adverse effects of climate change; sustainable and adaptable.
Example
Climate-resilient crops can survive extreme weather conditions.
C1 noun /kjʊˈreɪtər/

curator

Meaning
a person who is responsible for the care and management of a museum, gallery, or collection
Example
The curator organized a new exhibition of ancient artifacts.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt/

consecrate

Meaning
to make something sacred, usually through a religious ceremony
Example
The church was consecrated by the bishop.
C1 noun /ˈkʌn.stə.bəl/

constable

Meaning
a police officer of the lowest rank
Example
The constable directed traffic at the busy intersection.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒn.ɪ.fər.əs/

coniferous

Meaning
Relating to cone-bearing trees that usually have needle-like leaves and remain green year-round.
Example
Pine trees are coniferous and grow in colder climates.
C1 noun kənˈfɔː.mə.ti

conformity

Meaning
Compliance with standards, rules, or laws. Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions.
Example
Strict conformity to the rules ensures order in society.
C1 adjective /klaɪˈmæktɪk/

climactic

Meaning
Relating to the most exciting or important moment of something.
Example
The film ended with a climactic battle scene.
C1 verb /kɜːrˈteɪl/

curtail

Meaning
to reduce or limit something, especially something considered undesirable
Example
The company had to curtail its spending due to budget cuts.
C1 noun /ˈkæləs/

callus

Meaning
A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area subjected to friction.
Example
A callus formed on his palm from using tools every day.
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/verb /ˈsaɪ.fər/

cipher

Meaning
A secret or disguised way of writing; a code; to put a message into secret writing.
Example
Military messages are protected using a cipher.
C1 verb /kənˈvɜːrdʒ/

converge

Meaning
to come together from different directions; to meet at a point
Example
The roads converge at the city center.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɪliətɔːri/

conciliatory

Meaning
intended to make someone less angry or more agreeable; soothing
Example
She spoke in a conciliatory tone to ease the tension.
C1 verb ˌsɝː.kəmˈvent

circumvent

Meaning
To cleverly avoid or find a way around obstacles or rules.
Example
He tried to circumvent the security system.
C1 noun /kəʊˈhiːʒən/

cohesion

Meaning
The action or fact of forming a united whole.
Example
The team showed excellent cohesion throughout the project.
C1 adjective /kəmˈpleɪsənt/

complacent

Meaning
showing self-satisfaction and a lack of concern about potential dangers or problems
Example
The team grew complacent after a few victories and stopped practicing hard.
C1 noun /ˈtʃænsələr/

chancellor

Meaning
A senior state or legal official, or the head of a university.
Example
The chancellor delivered an inspiring speech at the graduation ceremony.
C1 noun /ˈsɪ.nɪk/

Cynic

Meaning
a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest; someone who is skeptical about human nature
Example
The old cynic believed that politicians only cared about getting votes.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊhɔːrts/

cohorts

Meaning
Groups of people who share a common feature or experience.
Example
Researchers compared the health outcomes of different cohorts.
C1 adjective,noun /kənˈtɪn.dʒənt/

contingent

Meaning
dependent on something else; a group of people representing an organization
Example
Attendance is contingent on prior registration. / A contingent of students attended the conference.
C1 noun /kənˈspɪrə.tər/

conspirator

Meaning
a person who secretly plans with others to do something unlawful or harmful
Example
The conspirator was arrested before the plan could be carried out.
C1 noun /kənˈdəʊləns/

condolence

Meaning
An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of death.
Example
She offered her sincere condolence to the grieving family.
C1 adjective /koʊˈɜːrsɪv/

coercive

Meaning
Relating to or using force or threats to make someone do something.
Example
The government faced criticism for adopting coercive measures against protestors.
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 /kʌˈstoʊ.di.ən/

Custodian

Meaning
a person who has responsibility for or looks after something; a caretaker or guardian
Example
The school custodian ensures that all buildings are clean and secure.
C1 noun /kəˈnʌn.drəm/

conundrum

Meaning
A complex problem or puzzle without an easy solution
Example
The ethical conundrum puzzled the researchers.
C1 noun /kənˈsiːt/

conceit

Meaning
excessive pride in oneself; vanity
Example
His conceit made him unpopular among his colleagues.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈsɛlɪbət/

celibate

Meaning
abstaining from marriage and sexual relations; a person who does so
Example
He chose to remain celibate for religious reasons.
C1 adjective /kɜːrt/

curt

Meaning
Rudely brief in speech or manner.
Example
His curt reply made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 adjective /kənˈdjuː.sɪv/

conducive

Meaning
Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible; contributing to or helping to bring about.
Example
A quiet environment is conducive to studying.
C1 noun /koʊˈhɪr.əns/

coherence

Meaning
The quality of being logical and consistent; forming a unified whole.
Example
The essay lacked coherence, making it hard to follow.
C1 noun /tʃɪt/

Chit

Meaning
a short note, typically a brief informal letter; a voucher for a sum owed
Example
She left a chit on the table asking him to call her back.
C1 adjective kəʊˈhiː.sɪv

cohesive

Meaning
Characterized by or causing cohesion; forming a united whole.
Example
The team displayed a cohesive strategy.
C1 noun /kɒzˈmɒlədʒi/

cosmology

Meaning
the science of the origin and development of the universe
Example
She studied cosmology to understand the origins of the universe.
C1 noun ˈkætəlɪst

catalyst

Meaning
A person or thing that precipitates an event or change.
Example
His speech acted as a catalyst for change in the community.
C1 noun /ˈkævərn/

cavern

Meaning
a large cave or chamber in a cave
Example
The explorers entered a dark cavern beneath the mountain.
C1 noun /ˈsɪtəˌdɛl/

citadel

Meaning
A fortress protecting or dominating a city.
Example
The ancient citadel stood guard over the town for centuries.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈkɒn.sə.mət/

consummate

Meaning
To complete or perfect something with great skill
Example
He is a consummate artist with years of experience.
C1 noun ˌkɒn.əˈteɪ.ʃən

connotation

Meaning
The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition
Example
The word 'home' has a warm connotation of comfort and family.
C1 noun /ʃəˈreɪd/

charade

Meaning
an absurd pretense or act intended to deceive; also a word-guessing game
Example
The trial was nothing more than a political charade.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛsns/

convalescence

Meaning
the period of time spent recovering from an illness or medical treatment
Example
His convalescence lasted for almost two months after the accident.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɛntrɪk/

concentric

Meaning
having a common center, as in circles or spheres
Example
The artist drew concentric circles on the canvas.
C1 noun /ˈtʃæs.tɪ.ti/

Chastity

Meaning
the practice of refraining from extramarital or premarital sexual relations; sexual purity
Example
Many religious traditions value chastity as a virtue of moral purity.
C1 verb /kɑːrp/

carp

Meaning
to complain or find fault continually, often about trivial matters
Example
She tends to carp about the smallest inconveniences.
C1 verb /ˈkɒŋɡrɪɡeɪt/

congregate

Meaning
to gather together in a group; to assemble
Example
People congregate in the town square every evening.
C1 noun /kɔːr/

corps

Meaning
a branch of the military or a group organized for a specific purpose
Example
He joined the army corps after graduation.
C1 adjective /ˈkoʊpiəs/

copious

Meaning
abundant in supply or quantity
Example
She took copious notes during the lecture.