dilemma
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B2 noun daɪˈlem.ə

dilemma

Meaning
A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives.
Example
She faced a moral dilemma at work.
B2 noun /ˈdɛməˌkræt/

democrat

Meaning
a supporter of democracy or a member of the Democratic Party in the US
Example
He is a strong democrat who believes in equal rights.
B2 verb dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt

deteriorate

Meaning
To become progressively worse in quality, condition, or performance; to decline.
Example
Unplanned growth can deteriorate living conditions.
B2 noun /ˈdɔːr.mæt/

Door-mat

Meaning
a mat placed in front of a door for wiping feet
Example
Please wipe your feet on the door-mat before entering the house.
B2 adjective /ˈdæz.lɪŋ/

Dazzling

Meaning
extremely bright and impressive; brilliant and stunning
Example
The dazzling lights of the city amazed the tourists.
B2 verb /dɪˈsiːv/

deceive

Meaning
To cause someone to believe something that is not true.
Example
He tried to deceive his friends with a fake story.
B2 adverb /ˈdʌbli/

doubly

Meaning
in a twofold manner; to twice the degree
Example
She felt doubly fortunate after winning the prize and getting a promotion.
B2 adjective /dɪˈraɪvd/

derived

Meaning
Developed or obtained from something else; not original.
Example
The word is derived from Latin.
B2 noun /dɪˌskrɪm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Discrimination

Meaning
the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people; recognition of difference
Example
The company was sued for racial discrimination in their hiring practices.
B2 adjective /ˈdæmɪdʒɪŋ/

damaging

Meaning
causing harm or injury
Example
The storm caused damaging effects to the crops.
B2 noun /ˈdeb.riː/

debris

Meaning
Scattered pieces of waste or remains.
Example
Debris in the eyes causes irritation.
B2 noun /ˈdiː.fekt/

Defect

Meaning
a shortcoming, imperfection, or lack; a fault or flaw in something
Example
The manufacturing defect caused the product to fail after only one week.
B2 noun /den/

Den

Meaning
a wild animal's lair or home; a small, comfortable room; a place for illegal activities
Example
The fox disappeared into its den when it sensed danger approaching.
B2 noun ˌdedɪˈkeɪʃn

dedication

Meaning
The quality of being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose; devotion.
Example
His dedication laid the foundation of Indian science.
B2 adjective /dɪˈprɛst/

depressed

Meaning
Feeling very sad and without hope; in a state of unhappiness.
Example
She felt depressed after losing her job.
B2 noun /dəˈmeɪn/

domain

Meaning
An area of knowledge, activity, or territory over which control is exercised.
Example
Mathematics is her main domain of expertise.
B2 verb /dɪˈpɪkt/

depict

Meaning
to represent or show something in a picture, story, or other art form
Example
The painting depicts a beautiful sunset over the sea.
B2 adjective /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk/

Diplomatic

Meaning
relating to diplomacy; tactful; skilled in managing relationships
Example
She gave a diplomatic answer to avoid offending anyone.
B2 adjective /ˈdɛntəl/

dental

Meaning
relating to teeth or dentistry
Example
She goes for a dental checkup every six months.
B2 noun /ˌdɪsɪnˈfɛktənt/

disinfectant

Meaning
a chemical substance used to kill harmful microorganisms on surfaces
Example
The cleaner sprayed disinfectant on the table.
B2 noun /ˈdes.tə.ni/

Destiny

Meaning
the events that will necessarily happen to someone in the future; fate or predetermined course
Example
She believed that meeting him was her destiny and meant to be.
B2 verb /dʌmp/

dump

Meaning
to drop or dispose of something carelessly; to end a relationship suddenly
Example
He dumped all the trash into the bin.
B2 verb /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/

dominate

Meaning
to have power or control over something or someone
Example
The company dominates the smartphone market.
B2 verb /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/

distinguish

Meaning
to recognize or show the differences between two or more things; to set apart as different
Example
It can be difficult to distinguish between truth and rumor.
B2 noun /dɪˈpləʊməsi/

diplomacy

Meaning
The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations or handling affairs tactfully.
Example
Effective diplomacy helped avoid the conflict.
B2 noun /dɪˈsɛnt/

descent

Meaning
the action of moving downward, falling, or dropping; ancestry or origin
Example
The climbers began their descent from the mountain peak.
B2 adjective /dɪˈpɛndəbl/

dependable

Meaning
able to be trusted or relied on; consistently reliable
Example
She is a dependable colleague who always meets deadlines.
B2 verb, noun /dɒn/

don

Meaning
to put on (an article of clothing); also used as a title for a respected person
Example
She donned her coat before leaving.
B2 verb /dɪˈtɜːr/

deter

Meaning
to discourage someone from doing something by instilling doubt or fear
Example
High fines are meant to deter people from breaking the law.
B2 noun /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs/

diagnosis

Meaning
The identification of a disease, condition, or problem through examination of symptoms.
Example
The diagnosis confirmed that she had diabetes.
B2 adverb /ˈden.sli/

densely

Meaning
In a closely compacted or crowded manner.
Example
The area is densely covered with trees.
B2 noun /diːp siː/

deep sea

Meaning
The deep parts of the sea or ocean, typically beyond the continental shelf.
Example
Many deep-sea creatures produce bioluminescence for survival.
B2 verb /drɪp/

drip

Meaning
to fall or let fall in drops
Example
Water was dripping from the broken pipe.
B2 noun /dɪsˈkʌmfərt/

discomfort

Meaning
A feeling of slight pain, unease, or awkwardness.
Example
She shifted in her chair due to discomfort in her back.
B2 noun /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/

distribution

Meaning
the act of sharing or delivering something to multiple people or places
Example
The company manages the distribution of food supplies to rural areas.
B2 noun /diːd/

Deed

Meaning
an action that is performed intentionally or consciously; a legal document showing ownership
Example
His heroic deed saved the child from drowning in the river.
B2 noun daɪˈvɜːsɪti

diversity

Meaning
The state of being diverse; variety.
Example
Biodiversity promotes ecosystem stability and resilience.
B2 adjective /dɪsˈɡʌstɪd/

disgusted

Meaning
feeling a strong sense of dislike or revulsion
Example
She was disgusted by the way he treated the animals.
B2 adjective /dɪsˈɡreɪsfəl/

Disgraceful

Meaning
shameful; bringing dishonor; worthy of condemnation
Example
His disgraceful behavior shocked everyone at the party.
B2 adjective /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

decisive

Meaning
Having the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively; determining the outcome.
Example
Her decisive action saved the company from collapse.
B2 verb /dɪˈsɛnd/

descend

Meaning
To move or fall downward; to come or go down from a higher place.
Example
The hikers descended the steep mountain path.
B2 noun /dɪsˈtrɛs/

distress

Meaning
extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
Example
He felt a deep sense of distress when he heard the bad news.
B2 verb /dɪˈstɔːrt/

distort

Meaning
to twist or change the shape, appearance, or meaning of something so it is not true or accurate
Example
The mirror distorted her reflection.
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.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈpɑːzɪt/

deposit

Meaning
to place money in a bank account, or a sum paid in advance as security; a layer of material left naturally
Example
She deposited $500 into her savings account.
B2 noun /ˈdiː.sən.si/

Decency

Meaning
behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability
Example
She had the decency to apologize for her mistake immediately.
B2 adjective /ˈdred.fəl/

Dreadful

Meaning
extremely bad or unpleasant; causing fear or suffering; terrible
Example
The weather was dreadful during our vacation.
B2 noun /ˈdɔː.weɪ/

doorway

Meaning
the space where a door opens into a room or building
Example
She stood in the doorway waiting for him to arrive.
B2 verb /dɪˈvoʊt/

devote

Meaning
to give time, effort, or resources to something
Example
She devotes much of her time to helping the poor.
B2 noun /ˌdek.ləˈreɪ.ʃən/

Declaration

Meaning
a formal or explicit statement or announcement; an official proclamation
Example
The president's declaration of independence marked a historic moment for the nation.
B2 noun /dɪˈnaɪ.əl/

Denial

Meaning
the action of declaring something to be untrue; refusal to acknowledge something
Example
His denial of involvement in the scandal was met with skepticism.
B2 verb /dɪˈpraɪv/

deprive

Meaning
to take something away from someone, or prevent them from having it
Example
The new law may deprive people of their rights.
B2 noun dɪˈplɔɪmənt

deployment

Meaning
The action of bringing resources into effective action.
Example
The deployment of the new software was completed successfully.
B2 adjective daɪˈvɜːs

diverse

Meaning
Showing a great deal of variety; very different.
Example
Diverse industries enhance economic resilience.
B2 verb /dæʃ/

dash

Meaning
to move quickly and suddenly; to strike or break something violently
Example
She dashed across the street to catch the bus.
B2 noun /ˈder.ɪŋ/

Daring

Meaning
adventurous courage; willingness to take risks
Example
The mountain climber's daring impressed everyone at the base camp.
B2 adverb /drəˈmætɪkli/

dramatically

Meaning
in a sudden, striking, or exaggerated way
Example
Sales increased dramatically after the campaign.
B2 noun /dɒk/

dock

Meaning
a structure where ships are loaded, unloaded, or repaired
Example
The ship stayed at the dock for two days.
B2 verb /daɪˈvɜːrt/

divert

Meaning
to turn aside from a course; to redirect or entertain
Example
The police diverted traffic to a side road.
B2 noun /doʊ/

dough

Meaning
a mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients used to make bread or pastries
Example
She kneaded the dough for ten minutes before baking.
B2 verb /ˌdɪskəˈnɛkt/

disconnect

Meaning
to detach or separate from a connection or source
Example
Please disconnect the charger from the power outlet.
B2 noun /ˌdɪs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Disability

Meaning
a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities
Example
Despite his physical disability, he became a successful athlete in wheelchair racing.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈspjuːt/

dispute

Meaning
a disagreement or argument about something important
Example
The two countries are in dispute over the border issue.
B2 noun /dɪˌtɜː.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

determination

Meaning
Firmness of purpose; the quality of being determined; resolve.
Example
His determination to succeed was unwavering.
B2 noun /ˌdɒkjʊmɛnˈteɪʃən/

documentation

Meaning
material that provides official information or evidence
Example
The documentation for the project is available for review.
B2 verb /ˈdɑːrkən/

darken

Meaning
to make or become dark; to reduce brightness or light
Example
The clouds began to darken the sky before the storm.
B2 noun /ˈdiːlər/

dealer

Meaning
a person or business that buys and sells goods; someone who distributes
Example
The car dealer offered a discount to attract customers.
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.
B2 adjective /dɪˌveləpˈmentl/

developmental

Meaning
relating to the process of growth or progress
Example
Early childhood is a crucial developmental stage for learning.
B2 noun /ˈdoʊnər/

donor

Meaning
A person who gives something, especially to a charity or cause.
Example
The donor contributed generously to the hospital’s new wing.
B2 verb dɪˈtɪrɪəˌreɪts

deteriorates

Meaning
To become progressively worse; to decline in quality, condition, or strength.
Example
The quality of air deteriorates due to pollution.
B2 noun, verb /ˈdɪskɔːrs/

discourse

Meaning
Written or spoken communication or debate.
Example
The professor gave a discourse on ancient philosophy.
B2 noun /dɪˈdʌk.ʃən/

deduction

Meaning
The process of reaching a conclusion through logical reasoning.
Example
His deduction from the evidence was accurate.
B2 adjective /ˈdaʊt.fəl/

Doubtful

Meaning
uncertain; questionable; feeling uncertain about something
Example
I am doubtful about the success of this project.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈded.li/

Deadly

Meaning
causing or able to cause death; extremely dangerous; lethal
Example
The deadly poison killed the plant instantly.
B2 noun ˌdiː.fɒr.ɪˈsteɪ.ʃən

deforestation

Meaning
The action of clearing a wide area of trees; the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses.
Example
Deforestation accelerates the loss of biodiversity.
B2 adjective /dæmp/

damp

Meaning
slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way
Example
The room felt cold and damp after the rain.
B2 noun /dɪˈtɜːrdʒənt/

detergent

Meaning
a substance used for cleaning, especially for washing clothes and dishes
Example
She bought a new brand of detergent for laundry.
B2 noun /ˈdɪpləmæt/

diplomat

Meaning
An official representing a country abroad; a person skilled in dealing with people tactfully.
Example
The diplomat negotiated a peace agreement.
B2 verb /ˈdæzəl/

dazzle

Meaning
to impress deeply or blind with brilliance or skill
Example
The magician's tricks dazzled the audience.
B2 noun /ˈdʌmi/

dummy

Meaning
a model or replica of a human used for practice, display, or testing; also a term for a foolish person
Example
The tailor used a dummy to display the dress.
B2 noun /dɪˈpreʃ.ən/

Depression

Meaning
a mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness; a severe economic downturn
Example
The therapist helped her cope with depression through cognitive behavioral therapy.
B2 verb /dɪˈplɔɪ/

deploy

Meaning
to position strategically; to use effectively
Example
The military will deploy troops to the border.
B2 verb /dɪˈskrɪmɪˌneɪt/

discriminate

Meaning
To treat someone unfairly based on race, gender, or other differences; or to recognize a distinction.
Example
The law prohibits employers from discriminating against women.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈvɔːrs/

divorce

Meaning
the legal ending of a marriage; to officially end a marriage
Example
After years of conflict, they decided to get a divorce.
B2 adjective /dɪˈsɛndənt/

descendent

Meaning
Moving downward; going down or descending.
Example
The river followed a descendent course toward the valley.
B2 adjective /dɪˈstɜː.bɪŋ/

disturbing

Meaning
causing anxiety, worry, or emotional distress
Example
The news about the accident was deeply disturbing.
B2 adjective /ˈdræs.tɪk/

Drastic

Meaning
extreme; severe; having a strong or far-reaching effect
Example
The company took drastic measures to reduce costs.
B2 noun /dɪˈvoʊ.ʃən/

Devotion

Meaning
love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause
Example
Her devotion to helping others made her a beloved figure in the community.
B2 noun /dɪˈkeɪ/

Decay

Meaning
the process of rotting or decomposing; gradual decline or deterioration
Example
The old building showed signs of decay after years of neglect.
B2 verb /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃieɪt/

differentiate

Meaning
To recognize or make a distinction between things.
Example
It is important to differentiate between fact and opinion.
B2 verb /dɪˈspætʃ/

dispatch

Meaning
to send off to a destination or for a purpose
Example
The company dispatched aid to the flood victims.
B2 adjective /ˈdʌsti/

dusty

Meaning
covered with or full of dust; dry and dull from lack of moisture or use
Example
The old bookshelf was dusty after years of neglect.
B2 noun /ˈdɛpjʊti/

deputy

Meaning
A person appointed as a substitute with power to act.
Example
The deputy will lead the meeting in the manager’s absence.
B2 adjective /dɪˈzæs.trəs/

Disastrous

Meaning
extremely bad or unsuccessful; causing great damage
Example
The hurricane had disastrous effects on the city.
B2 noun /dʌv/

Dove

Meaning
a small, gentle bird with soft cooing sounds, often white and symbolizing peace
Example
The white dove flew peacefully across the blue sky.
B2 verb /dɪˈprɛs/

depress

Meaning
To make someone feel sad or without hope; to reduce the level or strength of something.
Example
The gloomy weather tends to depress people.
B2 verb /ˈdɛdɪkeɪt/

dedicate

Meaning
to devote time, effort, or oneself to a particular purpose or person
Example
She dedicated her life to helping the poor.
B2 noun /dɪˈpen.dənt/

Dependent

Meaning
a person who relies on another for financial support; someone who depends on others
Example
As a tax dependent, she could not file her own tax return separately.
B2 verb /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt/

devastate

Meaning
to cause severe and overwhelming destruction or damage
Example
The hurricane devastated the coastal town.
B2 noun /ˈdɪɡ.nə.ti/

Dignity

Meaning
the state of being worthy of honor or respect; composure and self-respect
Example
Despite facing hardships, she maintained her dignity throughout the ordeal.
B2 adjective /dɪˈziːzd/

Diseased

Meaning
affected by disease; suffering from illness; sick
Example
The diseased tree had to be removed from the garden.
B2 noun /dɪˈstrækʃənz/

distractions

Meaning
Things that prevent someone from concentrating on something else.
Example
Eliminate distractions for better productivity.
B2 noun /ˈdæf.ə.dɪl/

Daffodil

Meaning
A bright yellow spring flower with a trumpet-shaped center, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings
Example
The daffodils bloomed early this spring in the meadow.
B2 noun /ˈdiːtʊr/

detour

Meaning
A longer or less direct route taken to avoid something or reach a destination.
Example
We had to take a detour because the main road was closed.
B2 noun /dɪsˈpoʊzl/

disposal

Meaning
the action or process of getting rid of something
Example
The disposal of waste is crucial for maintaining a clean environment.
B2 noun ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz

devastating consequences

Meaning
Extremely harmful or destructive results or effects
Example
Air pollution has devastating consequences for health.
B2 noun /ˌdɛm.əˈɡræf.ɪks/

Demographics

Meaning
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
Example
Demographics help in targeted advertising.
B2 noun /dɔːn/

Dawn

Meaning
the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise; the beginning or start of something
Example
The fishermen set out to sea before dawn to catch the morning tide.
B2 verb /dɪˈspaɪz/

despise

Meaning
to regard with contempt; to hate strongly
Example
She despises dishonesty in all its forms.
B2 noun dɪˈskrɛʃən

discretion

Meaning
The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
Example
She handled the situation with great discretion.
B2 verb /ˈdɪkteɪt/

dictate

Meaning
to say words aloud for someone to write down; to give orders
Example
The boss dictates letters to his secretary.
B2 noun /dɪsˈrʌp.ʃən/

disruption

Meaning
Barrier or interruption, sudden disturbance in any process or service.
Example
The road construction caused major disruption in traffic flow.
B2 verb /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/

discharge

Meaning
to release or dismiss from duty; to emit or give off
Example
The hospital will discharge the patient tomorrow.
B2 noun /ˈdræɡ.ən.flaɪ/

Dragon-fly

Meaning
a large insect with four transparent wings that lives near water
Example
The dragonfly hovered over the pond.
B2 verb /dreɪn/

drain

Meaning
to cause liquid to flow away from something; to remove liquid
Example
He drained the pasta before adding the sauce.
B2 verb dɪsˈrʌpt

disrupt

Meaning
To interrupt or disturb the normal progress or activity of something.
Example
Individual pursuits disrupt social harmony.
B2 verb /dɪsˈtɜːb/

disturb

Meaning
to interrupt or cause someone to stop what they are doing
Example
Please don’t disturb me while I’m studying.
B2 noun /ˈdiː.lɪŋ/

Dealing

Meaning
business transactions; the way of treating people or handling situations
Example
His fair dealing with customers earned him an excellent reputation.
B2 noun /dɪˈrɛktəri/

directory

Meaning
a book or online resource listing people, businesses, or services with relevant details
Example
I need to find a plumber in the phone directory.