discomfiting
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C2 adjective /dɪsˈkʌmfɪtɪŋ/

discomfiting

Meaning
Causing unease, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
His discomfiting questions made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkʌmbrəns/

encumbrance

Meaning
a burden or obstacle that makes progress or movement difficult
Example
Debt can become a serious encumbrance in life.
B2 verb /soʊk/

soak

Meaning
to make something completely wet by immersing it in liquid
Example
She soaked the clothes in water before washing them.
B2 noun /hɜːb/ (US) /hɜːb/ or /ɜːb/

herb

Meaning
a plant used for flavoring food, medicine, or perfume
Example
Basil is a popular herb used in Italian cuisine.
A2 adjective /ˈbeɪ.sɪk/

Basic

Meaning
fundamental; essential; forming the foundation or starting point
Example
Learning basic English grammar is essential for beginners.
C2 noun /frɒnd/

frond

Meaning
A large, divided leaf of a fern, palm, or similar plant.
Example
The fern's frond stretched gracefully over the garden path.
B2 noun /tækˈseɪʃən/

taxation

Meaning
The system of imposing and collecting taxes.
Example
Taxation is necessary for funding public services.
C2 noun /sɪlf/

sylph

Meaning
A mythical spirit of the air; also refers to a slender, graceful woman.
Example
She moved across the stage like a sylph, light and graceful.
C1 noun /ədˈhiːʒən/

adhesion

Meaning
the process or state of sticking to something
Example
Strong adhesion is needed for the tiles to stay in place.
B2 noun /rɪˈfjuː.zəl/

Refusal

Meaning
the act of saying no to something or not accepting something
Example
His refusal to cooperate made the project more difficult.
C2 noun /lɪˈbrɛtoʊ/

libretto

Meaning
The text of an opera or other long vocal work.
Example
She studied the libretto before attending the opera performance.
B2 noun /əˈfɛns/

offense

Meaning
an illegal act; a crime
Example
The offense was committed in broad daylight.
C1 adjective /kəˈrəʊsɪv/

corrosive

Meaning
tending to cause corrosion; harmful or destructive to materials or people
Example
The chemical is highly corrosive and should be handled with care.
C1 noun /ˈnʌt.meg/

Nut meg

Meaning
a spice made from the seed of the fruit of an evergreen tree, used in cooking and baking
Example
The recipe called for a teaspoon of ground nutmeg to flavor the custard.
B1 noun, verb /dɪˈzaɪər/

desire

Meaning
a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen
Example
He has a strong desire to travel the world.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊ.vi.ət/

soviet

Meaning
relating to the Soviet Union or its government
Example
The Soviet era saw significant changes in Eastern Europe.
A1 determiner, pronoun, adverb /ɔːl/

all

Meaning
the whole quantity or extent of something; every one of something
Example
She spent all her money on books.
C1 noun /ˌmænɪˈfɛstoʊ/

manifesto

Meaning
a public declaration of policy and aims, especially by a political party
Example
The party released its manifesto before the election.
C1 adjective /ˈfiːlaɪn/

feline

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of cats
Example
Her movements were graceful and almost feline in their elegance.
A1 verb /kʊk/

cook

Meaning
to prepare food by heating; to make food ready to eat
Example
My mother loves to cook traditional dishes.
B2 noun ˈikoʊ ˈfrɛndli tɛkˈnɑləʤiz

eco-friendly technologies

Meaning
Technologies that are designed to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.
Example
Eco-friendly technologies can mitigate pollution.
A2 noun, verb /ʃɒt/

shot

Meaning
a single attempt to hit something, usually with a weapon or a ball
Example
He took a shot at the goal.
C1 noun /ɒpˈtɒmətri/

optometry

Meaning
The practice or profession of examining the eyes and prescribing corrective lenses.
Example
She studied optometry at the university to become an eye specialist.
C1 noun ˈsɛlf pəˈzɪʃən

self-possession

Meaning
The quality of being calm and confident and in control of one's emotions; composure.
Example
His self-possession during the crisis was remarkable.
C2 adjective /ˈbeɪnfəl/

baneful

Meaning
Causing harm, ruin, or destruction; deadly or poisonous.
Example
His baneful influence ruined the community.
C1 adjective /ˌpæθəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

pathological

Meaning
Relating to disease; extreme or obsessive in a way that is abnormal.
Example
He has a pathological fear of failure.
C1 verb /ˈpɜːrkəleɪt/

percolate

Meaning
To filter gradually through a porous surface or substance; to spread slowly.
Example
The rainwater percolated through the soil into the groundwater.
C2 noun /ˈbaɪpɛd/

biped

Meaning
An animal that walks on two feet.
Example
Humans are examples of biped creatures.
B2 adjective /kənˈsɜːvətɪv/

conservative

Meaning
Favoring traditional views and values; resistant to change.
Example
He has conservative views on family and society.
B2 noun /ˌpɪə.riˈɒd.ɪ.kəl/

periodical

Meaning
a magazine or journal published at regular intervals
Example
She subscribed to a science periodical.
C2 adjective /ˈsækərɪn/

saccharine

Meaning
Excessively sweet or sentimental.
Example
His saccharine smile seemed insincere.
C2 adjective /ˈmɜːrkəntaɪl/

mercantile

Meaning
related to trade or commerce
Example
The city grew rapidly due to its mercantile activities.
C1 adjective /ˌæn.ɪkˈdoʊ.t̬əl/

anecdotal

Meaning
Based on personal accounts rather than facts or research; characterized by anecdotes.
Example
The book was filled with anecdotal evidence rather than data.
C1 noun /ˈdɪm.pəl/

Dimple

Meaning
a small depression in the flesh, either one that exists permanently or one that forms when smiling
Example
Her charming dimples appeared whenever she smiled at the children.
B2 adjective /ˈɛəri/

airy

Meaning
Spacious and well-ventilated; light and breezy.
Example
The new apartment is bright and airy.
B1 noun /ˈkɒnflɪkt/

conflict

Meaning
A serious disagreement or argument, often a prolonged one.
Example
The two countries are trying to resolve the conflict through negotiations.
B2 noun, verb, adjective /ˈpeɪtənt/ or /ˈpætənt/

patent

Meaning
a government license granting exclusive rights to an inventor; also to obtain such rights
Example
He patented his new invention to protect it from being copied.
C1 noun /ˌmiːdɪˈeɪʃən/

mediation

Meaning
Intervention between parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise.
Example
The mediation helped resolve the conflict between the two teams.
C1 noun /ˈlɪbərəlɪzəm/

liberalism

Meaning
a political and social philosophy advocating individual freedoms, democracy, and equality
Example
Liberalism emphasizes freedom of speech and human rights.
B1 noun /əˈsɛmbli/

assembly

Meaning
a group of people gathered together for a common purpose or the act of putting parts together to form something
Example
The school held an assembly to discuss the new rules.
C2 noun /pæˈstiːʃ/

pastiche

Meaning
a work of art, literature, or music that imitates the style of another artist, period, or genre
Example
The film was a clever pastiche of 1950s detective movies.
C1 verb /bæsk/

bask

Meaning
to lie in warmth and light; to enjoy something pleasurable
Example
The cat basks in the sunny window.
B1 noun /ˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk ɡrəʊθ/

Economic Growth

Meaning
The increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over time, measured by the expansion of economic output, income, and investment.
Example
The country's economic growth has been remarkable over the past decade.
C2 noun /ləˈdʒɪʃən/

logician

Meaning
A person skilled in logic and reasoning.
Example
Aristotle is considered one of the greatest logicians in history.
A2 noun /ˈwɛdɪŋ/

wedding

Meaning
a marriage ceremony, especially considered as including the associated celebrations
Example
They are planning a wedding in the summer.
C2 noun /ˌkɒnsæŋˈɡwɪnɪti/

consanguinity

Meaning
The fact of being descended from the same ancestor; blood relationship.
Example
The degree of consanguinity was important in inheritance laws.
B2 verb /ˈreɡjəleɪt/

regulate

Meaning
to control or maintain according to rules or laws
Example
The government regulates food safety.
C2 verb /dɪsˈɡɔːrdʒ/

disgorge

Meaning
to discharge or pour out; to vomit; to give up reluctantly
Example
The broken pipe disgorged water all over the floor.
C2 verb /fɔrˈswɛr/

forswear

Meaning
to renounce or reject; to give up completely
Example
He forswore his old habits and started a new life.
A1 noun /wel/

Well

Meaning
a deep hole in the ground from which water is obtained
Example
The villagers get water from the old well in the center of town.
C2 noun /ˈaɪ.kɒn/

ikon

Meaning
A religious image or symbol, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Example
The church displayed a beautifully painted ikon of the Virgin Mary.
B2 noun /ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən/

prosecution

Meaning
The act of bringing a criminal charge against someone and pursuing legal action in court.
Example
The prosecution presented strong evidence against the defendant.
B2 noun /plʌɡ/

plug

Meaning
a device used to connect or block an opening
Example
She inserted the plug into the socket.
B2 verb /ɪnˈtaɪtəl/

entitle

Meaning
to give someone the right to have or do something
Example
Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays.
C1 adjective /ˌhæpˈhæz.ɚd/

haphazard

Meaning
Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random.
Example
His haphazard approach led to project failure.
B2 noun /pʌls/

Pulse

Meaning
edible seeds of leguminous plants such as lentils, beans, and peas
Example
Pulses are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians.
C1 verb /spɔːn/

spawn

Meaning
to produce or generate, often in large numbers
Example
The video game has spawned many sequels.
C1 adjective /ˌiːvænˈdʒɛlɪkəl/

evangelical

Meaning
Relating to the Christian gospel, especially the teachings that emphasize personal faith and the authority of the Bible.
Example
She grew up in an evangelical church community.
C2 noun /ˈsɜːrfɪt/

surfeit

Meaning
an excessive amount of something
Example
There was a surfeit of food at the festival.
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.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪm.stoʊn/

Lime stone

Meaning
a hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite, used as building material and in the making of cement
Example
The ancient building was made of limestone blocks.
C2 verb /ˈtʃeɪ.sən/

chasten

Meaning
to correct or discipline; to humble or subdue
Example
The coach chastened the team after their poor performance.
A2 adjective /tʌf/

tough

Meaning
strong, durable, and difficult to break or deal with
Example
He had a tough day at work.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛmpəraɪz/

extemporize

Meaning
To speak or perform without preparation; improvise.
Example
The actor had to extemporize when he forgot his lines.
A2 adjective /ɪmˈbærəst/

embarrassed

Meaning
feeling awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious about something
Example
He felt embarrassed when he forgot her name.
C1 noun /rɪˈpen.təns/

Repentance

Meaning
the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse
Example
His genuine repentance moved everyone in the courtroom.
C2 adjective /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

commodious

Meaning
spacious and comfortable; having plenty of room
Example
They rented a commodious apartment in the city.
A1 adjective /ʃɔːrt/

Short

Meaning
having a small length, height, or duration; not long
Example
The meeting was very short, lasting only ten minutes.
C2 noun /dɪˈsɪstəns/

desistance

Meaning
The act of stopping or ceasing from some action or behavior.
Example
The court urged his desistance from further unlawful activities.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdjuːs/

induce

Meaning
to cause or persuade someone to do something; to bring about a result
Example
The doctor induced sleep with a mild sedative.
C2 verb /ˌweɪˈleɪ/

waylay

Meaning
to stop or interrupt someone unexpectedly, often to attack or detain them
Example
He was waylaid by reporters as he left the courthouse.
C1 noun /ˈmætɪneɪ/

matinee

Meaning
A performance, especially a play or movie, that takes place in the afternoon.
Example
We bought tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinee.
C2 noun /ˈɛpɪˌsaɪkl/

epicycle

Meaning
a small circle whose center moves around the circumference of a larger one, used in ancient astronomy
Example
The concept of the epicycle was used to explain planetary motion.
C1 noun /ˈwɪzərdri/

wizardry

Meaning
The art or practice of magic; great skill or expertise in something.
Example
The programmer's wizardry amazed everyone in the room.
B2 adjective /ˈæfluənt/

affluent

Meaning
having a great deal of money; wealthy
Example
She grew up in an affluent neighborhood.
A2 noun /ˈkændi/

candy

Meaning
a sweet food made with sugar or chocolate, often in small pieces
Example
The children were excited to get candy on Halloween.
B2 adjective æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs

ambiguous

Meaning
Having more than one possible meaning; unclear or vague.
Example
His statement was too ambiguous to understand.
B2 noun /əˈsɜːʃən/

assertion

Meaning
a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief
Example
Her assertion that she was right was met with silence.
C1 verb /pləˈkeɪt/

placate

Meaning
to make someone less angry or hostile; to calm or soothe
Example
He tried to placate the angry customer with a refund.
B1 verb /piːl/

peel

Meaning
to remove the outer covering or skin from a fruit or vegetable
Example
She peeled the mango before eating it.
B2 noun/verb /skræp/

scrap

Meaning
A small piece of something; to discard or get rid of something.
Example
He used a scrap of paper to jot down the number.
B2 adjective /ɪkˈstɜːr.nəl/

External

Meaning
coming from or relating to the outside; not belonging to or originating from within
Example
The company hired external consultants to review their business strategy.
B2 noun, verb /bəˈfeɪ/ (noun), /ˈbʌfɪt/ (verb)

buffet

Meaning
A meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes arranged on a table; also means to strike repeatedly (as a verb).
Example
We enjoyed a large buffet at the wedding reception.
C1 adjective /ˈtɛmpərəl/

temporal

Meaning
Relating to worldly affairs or to time rather than spiritual matters.
Example
The monk gave up his temporal possessions to live a simple life.
C2 noun /kɪˈrɒpədɪst/

chiropodist

Meaning
A healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats foot problems.
Example
The chiropodist treated her painful corns and calluses.
C1 noun /ˈprɒk.tər/

proctor

Meaning
a person who supervises students during an examination
Example
The proctor reminded students to keep their phones switched off.
C2 noun /ˈkɒɡneɪt/

cognate

Meaning
a word related to another word in origin; having the same linguistic root
Example
The Spanish word 'madre' and the English word 'mother' are cognates.
C2 noun /ˈlɪbərˌtiːn/

libertine

Meaning
A person who behaves without moral principles, especially in sexual matters.
Example
The novel depicted the reckless life of a libertine in 18th century France.
C2 adjective /ˈsmɑːrmi/

smarmy

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating, often insincerely.
Example
The salesman gave a smarmy pitch that felt fake.
C2 verb /lɑːl/

loll

Meaning
To sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
Example
He lolled on the sofa after a long day at work.
A1 noun /piːˈɛm/

pm

Meaning
abbreviation for post meridiem; after midday
Example
The meeting is scheduled at 3 pm.
B2 adjective /ræʃ/

rash

Meaning
Acting quickly without careful consideration; reckless.
Example
It was a rash decision to invest without research.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkwaɪ.ət/

Unquiet

Meaning
restless; unable to remain still or quiet; anxious or troubled
Example
She spent an unquiet night worrying about the exam results.
C1 noun /ˈpɛsəl/

pestle

Meaning
A heavy tool with a rounded end used for crushing or grinding substances in a mortar.
Example
She used a pestle to grind the spices.
A2 noun /drʌɡ/

drug

Meaning
a substance used as a medicine or an illegal addictive substance
Example
The doctor prescribed a new drug for the illness.
A2 adjective /ˈmoʊbaɪl/

mobile

Meaning
Able to move or be moved easily; also refers to portable communication devices.
Example
She prefers a mobile lifestyle that allows her to travel frequently.
C2 noun /rɪˈfɛktəri/

refectory

Meaning
a dining hall, especially in a monastery, convent, or school
Example
Students had lunch in the refectory.
B2 adjective /ˌʌnɪˈmædʒənəbəl/

Unimaginable

Meaning
impossible to conceive; beyond imagination
Example
The scale of destruction was unimaginable until we saw it firsthand.
C1 verb /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/

augment

Meaning
To increase or strengthen something.
Example
The company plans to augment its workforce.
B2 noun /krɪˈeɪtə/

creator

Meaning
a person who brings something into existence
Example
He is the creator of many successful startups.
B2 noun /ˈrɪdəl/

Riddle

Meaning
a question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning; a puzzle
Example
The ancient riddle stumped all the scholars for years.
C2 verb /əbˈtruːd/

obtrude

Meaning
to force oneself or one's ideas into a situation uninvited or inappropriately
Example
He didn’t want to obtrude into their private conversation.
A2 noun /ˈmiːtɪŋ/

meeting

Meaning
A gathering of people for discussion or decision-making.
Example
The board had a meeting to finalize the budget.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkwɪzɪtər/

inquisitor

Meaning
A person who asks many questions, often in an official or harsh manner.
Example
The inquisitor demanded detailed answers from the witness.
C2 noun /ˌproʊɪˈbɪʃənɪst/

prohibitionist

Meaning
A person who supports or advocates prohibition, especially of alcohol.
Example
The prohibitionist campaigned against the sale of liquor in the town.
B1 noun /ˈtreɪ.dər/

Trader

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or financial securities for profit
Example
The trader made a good profit from selling imported goods.
C1 adjective /ˈwɪst.fəl/

Wistful

Meaning
having a feeling of longing or yearning; melancholy
Example
She gave a wistful smile when remembering her childhood days.
C1 noun ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl səˈpɔːrt

indispensable support

Meaning
Essential assistance that cannot be done without; absolutely necessary help.
Example
Volunteers provide indispensable support to communities.
A1 noun /ˈrɪv.ər/

River

Meaning
a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river
Example
The river flows through the valley and into the ocean.
C1 noun /ˌspɒn.təˈneɪ.ɪ.ti/

spontaneity

Meaning
The quality of being spontaneous; natural and unplanned behavior.
Example
His spontaneity makes him a great conversationalist.
C2 verb /ˈdʌv.teɪl/

dovetail

Meaning
to fit or combine perfectly together
Example
Her plans dovetail perfectly with our goals.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪzərli/

miserly

Meaning
Unwilling to spend money; stingy.
Example
She lived a miserly life, refusing to buy anything new.
C1 noun /jiːld ˌɒptɪmaɪˈzeɪʃən/

yield optimization

Meaning
The process of maximizing the productivity or efficiency of crop production through various agricultural techniques and practices.
Example
Yield optimization techniques can significantly improve crop production.
A2 noun /ˈɡraʊnd flɔːr/

ground floor

Meaning
the floor of a building at ground level; the starting level of an organization or activity
Example
The grocery shop is located on the ground floor of the building.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.mə.nɪm/

homonym

Meaning
A word that is spelled and pronounced like another word but has a different meaning.
Example
The word 'bat' is a homonym because it can mean an animal or a sports tool.
C2 noun /ˌæɡ.rəˈdeɪ.ʃən/

aggradation

Meaning
The process of land being built up by sediment deposition.
Example
Aggradation helps in the natural expansion of riverbanks.
B2 noun /ˈtɔːtʃər/

torture

Meaning
the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment or to force them to do something
Example
He was subjected to torture during the interrogation.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/

excruciating

Meaning
causing extreme physical or mental pain
Example
She was in excruciating pain after the accident.
C1 verb /əbˈsteɪn/

abstain

Meaning
To restrain oneself from indulging in or partaking of something.
Example
People often abstain from digital devices to enhance focus.
C2 noun /ˈsækrɪsti/

sacristy

Meaning
a room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept
Example
The priest entered the sacristy before the mass began.
C2 verb /bɪˈfɒɡ/

befog

Meaning
to confuse or make unclear; to cover with fog or mist
Example
His mind was befogged by exhaustion.