detriment
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C1 noun ˈdɛtrɪ.mənt

detriment

Meaning
Harm, damage, impairment.
Example
Smoking is a detriment to health.
C1 noun /ˈdɪsənˌtɛri/

dysentery

Meaning
An infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea with blood and mucus.
Example
Many soldiers suffered from dysentery during the war.
C1 verb, noun /dɪsˈkrɛdɪt/

discredit

Meaning
To harm the reputation of someone or something; loss of respect or credibility.
Example
The scandal discredited the politician in the eyes of the public.
C1 verb /deɪz/

daze

Meaning
to stun or confuse someone temporarily with a shock or surprise
Example
The bright lights dazed the runners as they entered the stadium.
C1 noun /daɪˈvɜː.ʃən/

Diversion

Meaning
the action of turning something aside from its course; an activity that diverts the mind
Example
The road closure forced a diversion through the countryside for all travelers.
C1 noun /dɪˌsem.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

dissemination

Meaning
The action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely.
Example
The dissemination of false information is a major issue.
C1 phrase ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk rɛz.əˈluː.ʃən

diplomatic resolution

Meaning
A peaceful solution to conflicts through negotiation and diplomatic channels.
Example
A diplomatic resolution is necessary for peace.
C1 verb /dɪsˈtrʌst/

distrust

Meaning
to have no confidence or trust in someone or something
Example
Many people distrust politicians.
C1 verb /dɪˈfjuːz/

diffuse

Meaning
to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people
Example
The smell of fresh bread diffused through the entire house.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpleɪs/

displace

Meaning
to force someone or something out of their usual or original position; to replace or substitute
Example
The new technology will displace many traditional manufacturing jobs.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.ɪnˈfek.ʃən

disinfection

Meaning
The process of destroying harmful microorganisms to prevent infection.
Example
Kitchen appliances require frequent disinfection.
C1 verb /dɪˈsɛkt/

dissect

Meaning
to cut apart an animal, plant, or other organism to study its internal parts; to analyze something in detail
Example
In biology class, students had to dissect a frog to learn about its anatomy.
C1 verb /ˌdiːˈbʌŋk/

debunk

Meaning
Expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief).
Example
Scientists debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism.
C1 noun dɪˈtɜː.mɪ.nənt

determinant

Meaning
A factor that decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
Example
Education is a key determinant of success.
C1 adjective /ˈdesələt/

Desolate

Meaning
deserted; lonely; barren
Example
The abandoned village looked desolate and empty.
C1 noun /ˌdiːˈmer.ɪt/

Demerit

Meaning
a fault or disadvantage; a mark given for a fault or offense
Example
The student received a demerit for arriving late to class repeatedly.
C1 verb /dɪˈnəʊt/

denote

Meaning
To be a sign of; to indicate or mean something.
Example
A red flag denotes danger.
C1 verb /dɪˈkraɪ/

decry

Meaning
to publicly criticize or express strong disapproval of something
Example
Many activists decry the destruction of the rainforest.
C1 noun/adjective /dɪˈtɜː.rənt/

deterrent

Meaning
A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
Example
A strict law serves as a deterrent to crime.
C1 adjective /dɪˈvɔɪd/

devoid

Meaning
Completely lacking or without something.
Example
His speech was devoid of any real emotion.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɪkəbl/

despicable

Meaning
Deserving hatred and contempt; vile or shameful.
Example
His despicable actions shocked the entire community.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.kɒmpəˈzɪʃən/

decomposition

Meaning
the process of decaying or breaking down into simpler parts
Example
The decomposition of leaves enriches the soil.
C1 verb /dɪsˈsætɪsfaɪ/

dissatisfy

Meaning
to fail to please or meet expectations; to make someone unhappy
Example
The poor service dissatisfies many customers.
C1 noun /drɑːft/ (UK), /dræft/ (US)

draught

Meaning
a current of cool air in a room or another confined space; also a portion of liquid, especially beer, served from a barrel or cask
Example
She closed the window to keep out the cold draught.
C1 adjective /dɪˈstrɔːt/

distraught

Meaning
extremely upset and anxious, often to the point of being unable to think clearly
Example
She was distraught after losing her pet.
C1 noun /ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/

demagogue

Meaning
A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
Example
The crowd was swayed by the fiery speeches of the demagogue.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɔː.mə.ti/

Deformity

Meaning
a distorted or unnatural shape or form; physical malformation
Example
The accident caused a permanent deformity in his left hand.
C1 noun ˌdiː.sen.trə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

decentralization

Meaning
The transfer of authority from central to local government.
Example
Decentralization promotes regional autonomy.
C1 adjective /ˈdaʊ.ər/

dour

Meaning
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
Example
His dour expression made the meeting uncomfortable.
C1 noun /dɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/

Deficiency

Meaning
a lack or shortage of something; inadequacy or insufficiency
Example
The doctor diagnosed a vitamin D deficiency in the patient's blood test.
C1 noun /ˌdɪs.kʌl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

discoloration

Meaning
The process of changing or losing color; fading.
Example
Sun exposure causes discoloration of fabrics.
C1 verb /dʌb/

dub

Meaning
to give a name or label to something; to add a soundtrack to a film or recording
Example
The movie was dubbed into several languages for international release.
C1 noun /ˈdɑːsieɪ/

dossier

Meaning
A collection of documents about a particular person, event, or subject.
Example
The lawyer presented a dossier of evidence to the court.
C1 verb /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrt/

disconcert

Meaning
To unsettle, confuse, or disturb the composure of someone.
Example
The sudden change of plans disconcerted the team.
C1 adjective /dɪˈvɪzəbl/

divisible

Meaning
Capable of being divided by another number without leaving a remainder.
Example
Twelve is divisible by three and four.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfɪʃənt/

Deficient

Meaning
not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient; lacking or inadequate
Example
His diet was deficient in essential vitamins.
C1 noun /ˈdrʌdʒəri/

drudgery

Meaning
Hard, menial, or dull work.
Example
She wanted to escape the drudgery of her daily routine.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈrɛpjətəbl̩/

disreputable

Meaning
having a bad reputation; not considered respectable or trustworthy
Example
The journalist avoided staying in the disreputable part of town.
C1 noun ˈdɪl.ɪ.dʒəns

diligence

Meaning
Careful and persistent work or effort.
Example
Success requires patience and diligence.
C1 noun /ˈdɛsɪˌbɛl/

decibel

Meaning
a unit used to measure the intensity of sound
Example
The noise level in the factory exceeded 90 decibels.
C1 adjective /daɪər/

Dire

Meaning
extremely serious; urgent; terrible
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpærɪdʒ/

disparage

Meaning
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows a lack of respect
Example
It is unfair to disparage people for their opinions.
C1 verb /dɪˈtɛst/

detest

Meaning
To dislike intensely or hate.
Example
I detest waking up early on weekends.
C1 adjective /dɪˈɡreɪdɪd/

degraded

Meaning
Reduced in quality, dignity, or condition.
Example
The villagers were forced to live in degraded conditions.
C1 adjective dɪˈskrɪmɪnətɔːri

discriminatory

Meaning
Making or showing an unfair or prejudicial distinction between different categories of people or things.
Example
Discriminatory policies triggered protests.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɛntɪd/

demented

Meaning
behaving irrationally due to mental illness or extreme excitement
Example
He looked demented after hearing the shocking news.
C1 adjective deft

deft

Meaning
Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements; dexterous and adroit.
Example
The artist's deft hands created a masterpiece.
C1 verb ˈdiː.vi.eɪt

deviate

Meaning
To depart from an established course or normal pattern.
Example
He tends to deviate from the original plan.
C1 noun /ˈdɪsɪdənt/

dissident

Meaning
A person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state.
Example
The dissident was arrested for speaking against the government.
C1 verb /ˈdɛprɪˌkeɪt/

deprecate

Meaning
to express disapproval of something
Example
The teacher deprecated the use of slang in academic essays.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒɪst/

dermatologist

Meaning
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin diseases.
Example
She consulted a dermatologist for her skin allergy.
C1 verb /dɪˈpɔːrt/

deport

Meaning
To expel a foreigner from a country, usually for legal or political reasons.
Example
The government decided to deport the illegal immigrants.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/

Deviation

Meaning
the action of departing from an established course; a departure from usual standards
Example
Any deviation from the established procedure must be reported immediately.
C1 noun /dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/

disservice

Meaning
A harmful action; something that does damage rather than help.
Example
Spreading false information is a disservice to the community.
C1 adjective /drəˈkoʊniən/

draconian

Meaning
Extremely harsh and severe, especially laws or rules.
Example
The new regulations were criticized as draconian.
C1 adjective /ˈdɪn.dʒi/

Dingy

Meaning
dark and dirty; gloomy; dull in color
Example
The old building had dingy walls that needed painting.
C1 noun /deɪˈtɑːnt/

detente

Meaning
the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries
Example
The two nations worked toward detente after decades of conflict.
C1 noun /dɪˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/

denunciation

Meaning
the public condemnation or accusation of someone or something
Example
The journalist's article was a strong denunciation of corruption.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsiːtfəl/

deceitful

Meaning
Deliberately misleading or dishonest.
Example
She gave a deceitful answer to hide the truth.
C1 noun /dɪˈspɜːrʒən/

dispersion

Meaning
The action or process of distributing things or people over a wide area.
Example
The dispersion of seeds by the wind helps plants reproduce.
C1 adjective /ˈdwɪndlɪŋ/

dwindling

Meaning
Gradually reducing in number, size, or strength.
Example
The villagers relied on dwindling water supplies.
C1 verb /ˌdiː.kəmˈprɛs/

decompress

Meaning
To relax and recover from stress or pressure.
Example
Taking deep breaths helps to decompress after a stressful day.
C1 verb /diːˈhaɪdreɪt/

dehydrate

Meaning
to remove water from something; to lose water or body fluids
Example
Running in the heat can quickly dehydrate you.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsəˈluːʃən/

dissolution

Meaning
the act of formally ending or breaking apart something, such as an organization or marriage
Example
The dissolution of the company was announced yesterday.
C1 noun /ˈdrɛsˌmeɪkər/

dressmaker

Meaning
A person who makes or alters women's clothing professionally.
Example
The dressmaker crafted a beautiful gown for the bride.
C1 verb /dɛlv/

delve

Meaning
To investigate deeply; to dig into a subject or area.
Example
The researcher delved into ancient manuscripts to find clues.
C1 adjective /ˈdɒɡɪd/

dogged

Meaning
showing stubborn determination and persistence
Example
She succeeded through dogged determination.
C1 noun daɪˈkɒtəmi

dichotomy

Meaning
A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Example
The dichotomy between tradition and modernity is often debated.
C1 noun ˈdɪskɔrd

discord

Meaning
Disagreement or conflict between people or ideas.
Example
Discord among people disrupts societal stability.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.æmˌbɪɡ.juˈeɪ.ʃən

disambiguation

Meaning
The removal of ambiguity by making something clear and unambiguous.
Example
The AI system applies disambiguation to refine text understanding.
C1 verb /ˈdæmpən/

dampen

Meaning
to make something slightly wet; to make something less strong, active, or intense
Example
The rain dampened the excitement of the outdoor concert.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒi/

dermatology

Meaning
The branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its diseases.
Example
He studied dermatology at medical school.
C1 noun /draɪ ˈtʃɪl.i/

Dry Chilli

Meaning
dried chili peppers used as spice for adding heat to food
Example
The recipe calls for two dry chillies to make it spicy.
C1 verb /daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

diverge

Meaning
to separate and go in different directions; to differ
Example
The two paths diverge at the fork in the road.
C1 noun dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən

domestication

Meaning
The process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or for farm produce.
Example
Domestication of animals has been crucial for human survival.
C1 adjective /ˈdaɪ.si/

dicey

Meaning
Risky or unpredictable; potentially dangerous.
Example
Investing in that company looks pretty dicey right now.
C1 noun /dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/

deliberations

Meaning
Careful consideration and discussion before making decisions.
Example
Deliberations on sustainability continued for hours.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈsɪmɪlər/

dissimilar

Meaning
Not alike; different.
Example
Though they are twins, their personalities are dissimilar.
C1 adjective /ˈdjuːbiəs/

dubious

Meaning
Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
Example
She gave him a dubious look after hearing his excuse.
C1 noun /ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtər/

demonstrator

Meaning
a person who shows how something works or takes part in a public protest
Example
The demonstrators marched peacefully through the city streets.
C1 verb /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/

depreciate

Meaning
to reduce in value over time
Example
Cars tend to depreciate quickly in their first few years.
C1 adjective /ˈdeɪnti/

dainty

Meaning
Delicately small, pretty, and often considered elegant.
Example
She wore a dainty necklace made of pearls.
C1 adjective /dɪˈplɔːrəbl/

deplorable

Meaning
deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality
Example
The refugees were living in deplorable conditions.
C1 verb /dɪˈfaɪl/

defile

Meaning
to pollute, corrupt, or make dirty
Example
The river was defiled by industrial waste.
C1 verb /dɪˈluːd/

delude

Meaning
To mislead someone into believing something that is not true.
Example
He deluded himself into thinking he could win the race without training.
C1 noun /ˈduːmz.deɪ/

Doomsday

Meaning
the last day of the world's existence; a time of catastrophic destruction
Example
The preacher spoke about doomsday and the importance of preparing spiritually.
C1 noun /dɪsˈɪntrəst/

disinterest

Meaning
lack of interest or concern
Example
His disinterest in the project was obvious.
C1 noun /dɪˈprɛsənt/

depressant

Meaning
A drug that reduces functional or nervous activity in the body.
Example
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.
C1 noun /dɪˈfjuːʒən/

diffusion

Meaning
the spreading of something more widely or the movement of particles from high to low concentration
Example
The diffusion of information on social media is rapid.
C1 adjective /ˈdestatəʊt/

Destitute

Meaning
extremely poor; without money or possessions
Example
Many families became destitute after the economic collapse.
C1 adjective /ˈdiːviəs/

devious

Meaning
Skillful at using underhanded tactics to achieve goals; not straightforward.
Example
He used a devious plan to gain control of the company.
C1 noun /ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən/

defamation

Meaning
the act of damaging someone's reputation by making false statements
Example
The newspaper was sued for defamation of character.
C1 noun dɪˈspær.ə.ti

disparity

Meaning
A great difference or inequality.
Example
Disparity between countries must be reduced.
C1 noun /dɪˈskrep.ən.si/

discrepancy

Meaning
A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
Example
The audit revealed a discrepancy between the reported earnings and actual income.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

disengage

Meaning
To release or detach oneself from something; to withdraw.
Example
He tried to disengage from the heated argument.
C1 noun /dɪˈpɑːzətɔːri/

depository

Meaning
a place where things are stored or deposited, especially financial assets
Example
The national depository safeguards all government bonds.
C1 noun /ˈdæmpər/

damper

Meaning
something that reduces or lessens the force, effect, or excitement
Example
The cancellation of the trip put a damper on their enthusiasm.
C1 noun /ˈdɒɡmə/

dogma

Meaning
A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.
Example
The religious leader strictly adhered to traditional dogma.
C1 adjective /dɪˈspɜːrst/

dispersed

Meaning
Scattered or spread across a wide area.
Example
The dispersed population made it difficult to provide public services.
C1 noun /dɜːrθ/

dearth

Meaning
A scarcity or lack of something.
Example
There was a dearth of food during the famine.
C1 noun ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən

degradation

Meaning
The condition or process of degrading or being degraded.
Example
Soil degradation due to overuse is a growing issue.
C1 verb /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/

decimate

Meaning
To destroy or kill a large proportion of something.
Example
The wildfire decimated the forest.
C1 adjective /ˌdɪktəˈtɔːriəl/

dictatorial

Meaning
Having or showing a tendency to tell people what to do in an autocratic way.
Example
His dictatorial style made him unpopular among colleagues.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsˈmaʊnt/

dismount

Meaning
to get off or down from something, especially a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle
Example
The rider dismounted from the horse after a long journey.
C1 adjective /dɪˈʃɛvəld/

disheveled

Meaning
Untidy, messy, or in disorder, especially of hair or clothing.
Example
He arrived with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes.
C1 verb dɪˈsɜːn

discern

Meaning
To perceive or recognize something; to distinguish with difficulty by sight or with the other senses.
Example
He could barely discern the distant figure in the fog.
C1 adjective ˈdɪs.pər.ət

disparate

Meaning
containing elements very different from one another.
Example
Their opinions were disparate, leading to debates.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪ.li.ə/

Dahlia

Meaning
a garden plant with brightly colored flowers that bloom in summer and autumn
Example
She planted colorful dahlias in her garden last summer.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪtəm/ or /ˈdætəm/

datum

Meaning
a single piece of information; a fact used as a basis for reasoning or calculation
Example
Each datum in the survey was carefully analyzed.
C1 noun /ˈdel.ɪ.kə.si/

Delicacy

Meaning
fineness of texture or structure; a choice or expensive food; sensitivity in handling
Example
The chef prepared a local delicacy that was famous throughout the region.
C1 noun /ˈdrɪz.əl/

Drizzle

Meaning
light rain falling in very fine drops; a very light rainfall
Example
The gentle drizzle continued throughout the morning, making everything misty.
C1 adjective /ˈdɛkədənt/

decadent

Meaning
Characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline; excessively self-indulgent.
Example
The party was filled with decadent luxury and excess.
C1 verb /druːp/

droop

Meaning
to bend or hang downward; to become weak or tired
Example
The flowers began to droop in the heat.
C1 noun /dɪˈvɪnɪti/

divinity

Meaning
The quality or state of being divine; a deity.
Example
The priest spoke about the divinity of the soul.
C1 verb /dɪˈsweɪd/

dissuade

Meaning
To persuade someone not to do something.
Example
She tried to dissuade him from quitting his job.
C1 noun /ˈdaʊri/

dowry

Meaning
Property or money brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.
Example
The dowry tradition is still followed in some cultures.
C1 verb /dɪsˈmæntəl/

dismantle

Meaning
to take apart; to remove or destroy the parts of
Example
Workers will dismantle the old bridge next month.
C1 noun /ˌdiːpɔːrˈteɪʃən/

deportation

Meaning
The act of expelling a foreigner from a country.
Example
The deportation of hundreds of workers sparked international criticism.
C1 verb /dɪsˈlɒdʒ/

dislodge

Meaning
To remove or force out from a position, especially one that is fixed or hard to move.
Example
The troops dislodged the enemy from the hill.
C1 adjective /dɪˈvaʊt/

devout

Meaning
Deeply religious or sincere.
Example
He is a devout believer who prays every day.
C1 noun /ˈdɪɡnɪˌtɛri/

dignitary

Meaning
a person considered to be important because of high rank or office
Example
Several foreign dignitaries attended the state banquet.