defy
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B2 verb /dɪˈfaɪ/

defy

Meaning
to openly resist or refuse to obey someone or something; to challenge or dare someone to do something
Example
The protesters continued to defy the government's ban on public gatherings.
C2 adjective /ˌæk.si.əˈmæt.ɪk/

axiomatic

Meaning
Self-evident, obviously true without need for proof
Example
It is axiomatic that hard work leads to success.
C1 noun/verb /liːʃ/

leash

Meaning
a strap or cord used to control or guide an animal; to restrain or control
Example
The dog was on a leash during the walk.
B2 adjective ɪkˈstɪŋkt

extinct

Meaning
No longer in existence; having died out completely.
Example
Some species are becoming extinct due to overfishing.
C1 noun /ˈsɔːl.tɪd fɪʃ/

Salted fish

Meaning
fish preserved with salt; dried and salted fish for storage
Example
Salted fish is a traditional way to preserve seafood.
A2 adjective /ˈnɪəˌbaɪ/

nearby

Meaning
close to a particular place or person
Example
The nearest gas station is nearby.
C2 verb /ˈbraʊˌbiːt/

browbeat

Meaning
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something
Example
The lawyer tried to browbeat the witness.
C2 noun /lɔːˈdeɪʃən/

laudation

Meaning
The act of praising or expressing approval.
Example
The poet received much laudation for his moving verses.
B2 adjective /ˈʃeɪm.fəl/

Shameful

Meaning
causing shame; disgraceful; embarrassing
Example
His shameful behavior embarrassed the entire family.
C1 noun /fɪˈnænʃɪər/

financier

Meaning
a person who manages large amounts of money or investments
Example
The financier advised the company on its investments.
B2 noun /ˈɜːrnər/

earner

Meaning
A person who earns money through work or business
Example
She is the primary earner in her family.
B2 noun pərˈsweɪ.ʒən

persuasion

Meaning
The act of convincing someone to change their viewpoint through reasoning or emotion.
Example
Effective persuasion is key to a successful speech.
C2 noun /ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/

incantation

Meaning
a series of words used as a magic spell or charm
Example
The wizard chanted an incantation to summon the spirits.
C1 noun /ˌprəʊ.baɪˈɒt.ɪks/

probiotics

Meaning
Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host, especially for digestive health.
Example
Probiotics improve digestion and enhance gut health.
B2 adjective; verb (past and past participle) /lɜːrnd/

learned

Meaning
having acquired much knowledge through study; gained knowledge or skill through experience or teaching
Example
She is a learned scholar with deep knowledge of history.
C1 adjective /ˈdrɪəri/

dreary

Meaning
dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing
Example
The long, dreary winter made everyone feel gloomy.
B2 noun /ˌrezəˈveɪʃən/

Reservation

Meaning
the action of reserving something; an arrangement whereby something is reserved for a particular person; a qualification to an expression of agreement or approval
Example
I made a reservation at the restaurant for tonight.
C2 verb (archaic/rare) /rɛk/

reck

Meaning
To care about or be concerned with (something); to have regard for.
Example
He does not reck the dangers of his actions.
C1 noun /ˈkæptər/

captor

Meaning
a person or group who has captured someone or something
Example
The hostage managed to escape from his captors.
C2 noun /juːˌtrɑː.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

eutrophication

Meaning
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Example
Excess fertilizers lead to eutrophication in lakes.
C1 noun /tɪˈmɪdəti/

timidity

Meaning
lack of courage or self-confidence
Example
His timidity kept him from speaking up during the meeting.
C2 noun əˌklaɪ.mə.tɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

acclimatization

Meaning
The process of adapting to a new environment or condition.
Example
The hikers needed time for acclimatization to high altitudes.
B2 adverb /ˈpɑrʃəli/

Partially

Meaning
to some extent; not completely; incompletely
Example
The building was only partially destroyed in the fire.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːzənəbəl/

Seasonable

Meaning
occurring at the right time; appropriate for the season; timely
Example
The seasonable rain helped the farmers with their crops.
C1 noun /ˈprɒv.ɜːb/

Proverb

Meaning
a short saying that expresses a general truth or gives advice
Example
The proverb 'Early to bed, early to rise' teaches us about good habits.
B1 noun /ˈhaʊswaɪf/

housewife

Meaning
a married woman who manages a household and whose main occupation is caring for her family and home
Example
She chose to work as a housewife while raising her children.
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.
C1 verb /fret/

fret

Meaning
to worry or be anxious; to be troubled
Example
Don't fret about the exam results.
B2 verb /ˌmɪsˈjuːz/

misuse

Meaning
To use something incorrectly or for the wrong purpose.
Example
Misusing social media profiles can harm relationships.
B1 noun /naɪt/

Knight

Meaning
a man given a rank of honor by a British king or queen; a medieval warrior on horseback
Example
The brave knight rescued the princess from the dragon's castle.
A2 noun /ˈwɒʃ.ɪŋ məˌʃiːn/

Washing machine

Meaning
a machine for washing clothes and other textiles
Example
The washing machine broke down and needs repair.
C1 noun ˈoʊʃən əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

ocean acidification

Meaning
The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Example
Ocean acidification is caused by atmospheric CO2 absorption.
B2 noun steɪks

stakes

Meaning
A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end, driven into the ground.
Example
The stakes were high for the success of the project.
B1 noun /wiːt/

wheat

Meaning
a cereal plant whose grain is used to make flour for bread and other foods
Example
Farmers harvested the wheat in early summer.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnəmənt/

tenement

Meaning
a large building divided into separate apartments, often in poor condition
Example
The family lived in a crowded tenement in the city.
B2 adjective /ˈærəɡənt/

Arrogant

Meaning
having an exaggerated sense of one's importance; proud
Example
His arrogant behavior made him very unpopular.
C1 noun /ɒnˈsɒmbəl/

ensemble

Meaning
a group of things or people viewed as a whole, especially performers in music or theater
Example
The theater ensemble gave a spectacular performance.
C1 noun /ˈstɪmjʊlənt/

stimulant

Meaning
A substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Coffee is a common stimulant that helps people stay awake.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkleɪmd/

Unclaimed

Meaning
not claimed by anyone; not demanded or requested; abandoned or ownerless
Example
The unclaimed luggage was stored in the airport's lost property department.
C2 noun /stɛp/

steppe

Meaning
A large flat area of unforested grassland, especially in southeastern Europe or Siberia.
Example
The nomads traveled across the vast steppe with their herds.
B1 noun /ˈhɛlθˌkɛər/

health-care

Meaning
the organized provision of medical services to maintain or improve health
Example
Access to quality health-care is essential for every citizen.
C2 noun /ˈweɪstrəl/

wastrel

Meaning
A person who wastes time, money, or resources; an idler or spendthrift.
Example
The young man was dismissed as a wastrel by his family.
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.
C2 adjective /vəˈlʌptʃuəs/

voluptuous

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by luxury and sensual pleasure; sexually attractive.
Example
The artist painted a voluptuous figure reclining on the couch.
C2 noun /ˈklaɪmɪŋ fɪʃ/

Climbing-fish

Meaning
a type of fish that can climb trees and survive out of water for short periods
Example
The climbing-fish can move from one pond to another by climbing trees.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈklɛmɛnt/

inclement

Meaning
unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy (usually weather)
Example
The match was canceled due to inclement weather.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈskjuːzəbl/

excusable

Meaning
Able to be forgiven or justified.
Example
Her mistake was excusable given the circumstances.
C2 adjective /rɪˈprɛsəbl̩/

repressible

Meaning
Capable of being restrained or suppressed.
Example
The movement proved to be hardly repressible.
B2 noun /dɪˈstrækʃənz/

distractions

Meaning
Things that prevent someone from concentrating on something else.
Example
Eliminate distractions for better productivity.
C1 noun /dɪn/

din

Meaning
a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise
Example
The din of traffic outside made it hard to concentrate.
B2 verb /əˈvɜːrt/

avert

Meaning
to prevent something bad from happening or to turn away one's eyes or thoughts
Example
Quick action helped avert a disaster.
B1 verb /dɪˈfiːt/

Defeat

Meaning
to win a victory over; to overcome in battle or competition
Example
The army managed to defeat the enemy forces.
A2 noun /ˈdɛsktɒp/

desktop

Meaning
a computer designed to be used on a desk, typically with a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse
Example
I keep my documents on the desktop for easy access.
C2 verb /əˈpraɪz/

apprise

Meaning
to inform or notify someone
Example
The manager will apprise the staff of the new policies.
C1 noun /ʃraɪn/

Shrine

Meaning
a holy or sacred place dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, or saint
Example
Pilgrims visit the shrine to pray for good health.
B2 verb /prɪˈveɪl/

prevail

Meaning
To prove more powerful or superior; to be widespread or common.
Example
Justice will always prevail over injustice.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfjʊərieɪt/

infuriate

Meaning
To make someone extremely angry.
Example
His careless remarks infuriated the entire team.
C1 noun prəˈkjʊrmənt

procurement

Meaning
The action of obtaining or procuring something, especially for official purposes.
Example
The procurement of modern equipment has improved research accuracy.
B1 noun /ɪkˈspreʃ.ən/

Expression

Meaning
the act of making thoughts or feelings known; a look on someone's face
Example
The artist's painting was a beautiful expression of her inner emotions.
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.
A2 abbreviation /ɛtˈsɛtərə/

etc

Meaning
Used to indicate additional, similar items in a list that are not mentioned.
Example
The shop sells fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc.
B2 verb /ˈjuːtɪlaɪz/

utilize

Meaning
to make practical or effective use of something
Example
The company aims to utilize solar energy for production.
B2 adjective /ˈdʒuːɪʃ/

jewish

Meaning
relating to Jews or Judaism
Example
They celebrate Jewish festivals every year.
A2 adjective /ˈtʃɪə.fəl/

Cheerful

Meaning
happy and optimistic; full of joy and good spirits; bright and lively
Example
She has a cheerful personality that brightens everyone's day.
B1 noun, verb /ˈkrɛdɪt/

credit

Meaning
As a noun: the ability to obtain goods or services before payment; recognition for an achievement. As a verb: to publicly acknowledge someone's contribution.
Example
She received credit for her contribution to the project.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊdəˈrɪfərəs/

odoriferous

Meaning
having or giving off a smell, especially a strong or pleasant one
Example
The garden was filled with odoriferous flowers.
B1 noun /ˈlɛktʃərər/

lecturer

Meaning
a person who gives lectures, especially at a college or university
Example
The lecturer explained the theory with clear examples.
C1 verb, noun /træmp/

tramp

Meaning
to walk heavily or noisily; a person who travels from place to place on foot, often homeless
Example
They tramped through the forest in heavy boots.
C2 adjective /kəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

Capacious

Meaning
having a lot of space inside; roomy and spacious
Example
The capacious hall can accommodate five hundred people.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːrsər/

courser

Meaning
a swift horse or a hunting horse
Example
The knight rode a fast courser into battle.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈskjuːzəbl/

inexcusable

Meaning
Too bad to be justified or overlooked; unforgivable.
Example
His rude behavior was inexcusable.
B2 phrase kəˈlek.tɪv ˈæk.ʃən

collective action

Meaning
Action taken by a group of people working together toward a common goal or purpose.
Example
Collective action is needed to mitigate climate change.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛsnt/

convalescent

Meaning
recovering from an illness or medical treatment
Example
The hospital has a special ward for convalescent patients.
C1 noun /ˈdʒækˌfruːt/

Jackfruit

Meaning
a large tropical fruit with a spiky exterior and sweet flesh inside
Example
The jackfruit is the largest tree fruit in the world.
C2 adjective /pəˈluːsɪd/

pellucid

Meaning
Transparently clear; easy to understand.
Example
The lake water was so pellucid that you could see the stones at the bottom.
A2 noun /ˈtʃer.i/

Cherry

Meaning
a small round red or black fruit with a hard seed inside
Example
She picked fresh cherries from the tree in her garden.
B1 verb /bɜːrst/

burst

Meaning
to break open suddenly; to be full of something
Example
The balloon bursts with a loud pop.
C1 noun /ˈdæn.drʌf/

Dandruff

Meaning
small white or grey flakes of dead skin that form on the scalp and fall from the hair
Example
He used a special shampoo to treat his persistent dandruff problem.
B2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/

overwhelming

Meaning
Very intense; overpowering.
Example
Large tasks can feel overwhelming.
A2 noun /siːn/

scene

Meaning
a place or setting of an event or activity, or the part of a play or film
Example
The final scene of the movie was very emotional.
C1 noun /ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/

herbicide

Meaning
A chemical substance used to kill unwanted plants, especially weeds.
Example
Farmers used herbicide to protect their crops from invasive weeds.
C2 verb /ɪˈmæskjʊleɪt/

emasculate

Meaning
To make someone weaker or less effective; to deprive of strength or vigor.
Example
The constant criticism emasculated his confidence.
B1 adjective /kənˈviː.ni.ənt/

Convenient

Meaning
fitting in well with a person's needs, activities, and plans; suitable and practical
Example
The new shopping mall is very convenient for our family.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
B1 adjective /ˈdiː.teɪld/

detailed

Meaning
Having many details; very thorough.
Example
The report provided a detailed analysis of the situation.
C2 verb /bɪˈnʌm/

benumb

Meaning
to make physically numb or without sensation; to make mentally dull or insensitive
Example
The freezing wind seemed to benumb his fingers within minutes.
C2 noun /ˈɡælvəˌnɪzəm/

galvanism

Meaning
Electricity produced by chemical action, especially in a battery; the therapeutic use of electricity in medicine.
Example
Galvanism played a key role in early experiments with electricity.
C1 verb /əˈkwɪt/

acquit

Meaning
to declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge; to conduct oneself in a specified way
Example
The jury decided to acquit the defendant of all charges.
A1 verb /ˈlɪsən/

listen

Meaning
to pay attention to sounds; to hear someone or something with thoughtful attention
Example
Please listen carefully to the instructions.
C2 adjective /ˈblɪŋkəd/

blinkered

Meaning
Having a limited or narrow outlook; unable or unwilling to consider other perspectives.
Example
His blinkered attitude stopped him from seeing the bigger picture.
B2 noun /ˈsɪɡ.nə.tʃər/

Signature

Meaning
a person's name written in their own handwriting as identification or authorization
Example
Please put your signature at the bottom of the document.
A1 noun /pɑːrk/

park

Meaning
a large public area of land with grass, trees, and paths, where people can walk or relax
Example
The children were playing in the park.
B1 verb /spred/

spread

Meaning
to extend over a larger area; to distribute; to apply
Example
The news spread quickly through the town.
B2 noun /ˈen.ə.dʒi sɪˈkjʊə.rɪ.ti/

energy security

Meaning
The reliable availability of energy sources at an affordable price for a nation or region.
Example
Energy security ensures consistent supply.
B2 adverb /ˈædɪkwətli/

adequately

Meaning
in a satisfactory manner
Example
He completed the task adequately, but could improve next time.
C1 adjective ˈɑː.dʒu.əs

arduous

Meaning
Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
Example
The trek through the mountains was an arduous journey.
C1 noun /səˈprɛʃən/

suppression

Meaning
the act of forcibly stopping something or holding back feelings or actions
Example
The suppression of free speech led to protests.
B2 verb /feɪnt/

faint

Meaning
to lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain
Example
He felt dizzy and fainted in the heat.
B2 noun ˈkɔːrəl ˈriːfs

Coral Reefs

Meaning
Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals, forming diverse marine ecosystems.
Example
Saint Martin's Island is known for its coral reefs.
C2 noun /ˈkɒŋ.ɡru.əns/

congruence

Meaning
Harmony, compatibility and agreement between different elements.
Example
The congruence between their ideas made collaboration easy.
C2 noun /ˈdɛθsˌhɛd/

deaths-head

Meaning
A representation of a human skull, often used as a symbol of death.
Example
The pirate flag was marked with a grim deaths-head.
C2 adjective /ˈlæk.rɪ.moʊs/

lachrymose

Meaning
tearful or given to weeping; sad and mournful
Example
The movie's lachrymose ending left the audience in tears.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːθ.raɪt.nəs/

forthrightness

Meaning
The quality of being honest and straightforward; directness.
Example
Her forthrightness made her a respected journalist.
C2 adjective /ʌpˈrɔːr.i.əs/

uproarious

Meaning
Extremely funny or noisy; causing loud laughter or commotion.
Example
The comedian's jokes were absolutely uproarious.
B2 noun, verb /ɪntʃ/

inch

Meaning
A unit of length equal to 2.54 centimeters; or to move slowly and carefully in small amounts.
Example
She inched closer to the edge of the stage.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv/

inquisitive

Meaning
Curious or eager to learn and ask questions.
Example
The inquisitive child asked endless questions about the stars.
C1 adjective /səbˈvɜːrsɪv/

subversive

Meaning
seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority
Example
The group was banned for its subversive activities.
B2 adjective /ˈmʌd.i/

muddy

Meaning
covered in or full of mud; unclear or confused
Example
The children came back with muddy shoes after playing outside.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnəˈfɪʃ.əl/

Unofficial

Meaning
not officially authorized or confirmed; informal
Example
The unofficial results showed a close race.
B2 verb /daɪˈdʒest/

digest

Meaning
to break down food in the body; to think about and understand
Example
It takes time to digest a heavy meal.
C1 verb /bɪˈɡɛt/

beget

Meaning
to bring about or give rise to; to father or produce
Example
Violence begets more violence.
C2 noun /ˌsɜːrkəmləˈkjuːʃn/

circumlocution

Meaning
the use of many words when fewer would do, especially to avoid stating something directly
Example
The politician's speech was filled with circumlocution.
A1 noun /saɪd/

side

Meaning
a position to the left or right of something
Example
The store is on the side of the road.
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.
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.
C1 noun /ˈsiːskeɪp/

seascape

Meaning
A view or painting of the sea.
Example
The artist painted a beautiful seascape at sunset.
B2 adjective /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət/

Ultimate

Meaning
being the best or most extreme example of its kind; final; last
Example
This is the ultimate test of your skills.
A2 noun /ˈwɔː.tər.mel.ən/

Watermelon

Meaning
a large round fruit with a hard green skin and sweet red flesh with black seeds
Example
I bought a fresh watermelon from the market for the summer picnic.
C2 noun /ˌɪrɪˈdɛsəns/

iridescence

Meaning
a play of lustrous, changing colors like those of a rainbow
Example
The butterfly's wings shimmered with iridescence.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊksl/

forecastle

Meaning
The forward part of a ship below the deck, traditionally used as living quarters for the crew.
Example
The sailors gathered in the forecastle after their shift.
B2 verb /draʊn/

drown

Meaning
to die or cause to die by being submerged in and inhaling water
Example
He nearly drowned while swimming in the river.