disdain
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C1 noun/verb /dɪsˈdeɪn/

disdain

Meaning
The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect; to regard with contempt.
Example
She looked at the messy room with open disdain.
A1 noun, verb /ˈiː.meɪl/

e-mail

Meaning
messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to another
Example
I sent an e-mail to my professor yesterday.
C1 noun /ˈfɔɪeɪr/

foyer

Meaning
An entrance hall or lobby in a building.
Example
The guests waited in the hotel foyer before checking in.
C1 verb rɪˈlɪŋ.kwɪʃ

relinquish

Meaning
To give up any authority, responsibility, or property.
Example
He decided to relinquish his position as CEO.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈruːl/

misrule

Meaning
bad or poor governance
Example
The kingdom suffered for decades under misrule.
B1 noun ˈem.fə.sɪs

emphasis

Meaning
Special importance, value, or prominence given to something; stress laid on a particular point or aspect.
Example
The speaker placed emphasis on sustainable development.
C1 adjective /ˈpærəmaʊnt/

paramount

Meaning
more important than anything else; supreme
Example
Safety is of paramount importance in this factory.
C2 noun (compound/erroneous entry) /ɪnˈɛksərəbl ɑːrmi/

inexorableinexorablearmy

Meaning
This appears to be a corrupted or concatenated form; interpreted as 'inexorable army' — an unstoppable or relentless force.
Example
The rebels feared the inexorable army approaching their stronghold.
B2 noun/verb /ˈɡlɪtər/

glitter

Meaning
To shine with bright, shimmering light; or decorative sparkles.
Example
Her dress glittered under the stage lights.
B2 noun /kəmˈplek.ʃən/

Complexion

Meaning
the natural color, texture, and appearance of a person's skin, especially on the face
Example
Her fair complexion glowed beautifully in the morning sunlight.
C1 noun /bɑːrb/

barb

Meaning
a sharp projection such as on a fishhook; a cutting remark
Example
The fishhook has a small barb to keep the fish from escaping.
B2 adjective /ˈmɒdɪst/

modest

Meaning
Having or showing a humble estimate of one’s importance; simple and not extravagant.
Example
She lives in a modest house in the countryside.
C2 noun /bɪsk/

bisque

Meaning
A rich, creamy soup made from shellfish.
Example
We ordered lobster bisque at the restaurant.
C2 noun /dəˈɡerəˌtaɪp/

daguerreotype

Meaning
An early type of photograph produced on a silver or silver-covered copper plate.
Example
The museum displayed a rare daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln.
C1 noun /ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriəm/

moratorium

Meaning
A temporary suspension or delay of an activity, law, or obligation.
Example
The government announced a moratorium on new mining licenses.
A2 noun /ˈfɔːrɪst/

Forest

Meaning
a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth
Example
We went hiking in the dense forest yesterday.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪt/

belate

Meaning
to delay or make late
Example
Heavy traffic belated our arrival at the party.
B1 noun kəˈmɪt.mənt

commitment

Meaning
A promise or firm decision to do something; the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity.
Example
The president reaffirmed his commitment to environmental protection.
B2 adjective /pəˈθet.ɪk/

Pathetic

Meaning
arousing pity; extremely poor or inadequate
Example
His pathetic attempt to apologize made things worse.
B2 adjective ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs

indigenous

Meaning
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
Example
Indigenous plants are well adapted to the local environment.
C2 adjective /ˈlʌstrəs/

lustrous

Meaning
having a gentle sheen or soft glow
Example
Her hair looked smooth and lustrous.
B1 noun /muːd/

Mood

Meaning
a temporary state of mind or feeling; atmosphere
Example
She was in a good mood after receiving the news.
C2 adjective /aɪˈtɪnərənt/

itinerant

Meaning
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or duty.
Example
The itinerant teacher moved from village to village to educate children.
B2 adverb /ˌfɜːrðərˈmɔːr/

furthermore

Meaning
Used to introduce an additional point or idea; in addition.
Example
The plan is simple and, furthermore, it is affordable.
B2 noun /buˈkeɪ/

Bouquet

Meaning
an attractively arranged bunch of flowers, especially one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony
Example
The bride carried a beautiful bouquet of white roses down the aisle.
B2 noun /ˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/

activation

Meaning
the act of making something start functioning
Example
The activation of the system took longer than expected.
B2 verb /lɪk/

lick

Meaning
to pass the tongue over something; to defeat decisively
Example
The cat licked its paws clean.
B2 adjective /rɪˈspek.tə.bəl/

Respectable

Meaning
worthy of respect; having good reputation; decent
Example
He comes from a respectable family in the community.
C1 verb /ˈɛkˌsaɪz/

excise

Meaning
to cut out or remove completely, often by surgery
Example
The surgeon excised the tumor successfully.
C1 adjective /ˈroʊtəri/

rotary

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by rotation; revolving around an axis.
Example
The machine uses a rotary engine to function efficiently.
B2 adjective /ˈrɪdʒ.ɪd/

Rigid

Meaning
hard and stiff; not able to bend; strict and unwilling to change
Example
The company has a rigid dress code that all employees must follow.
A1 noun /tʃeər/

Chair

Meaning
a separate seat for one person, typically with a back and four legs
Example
Please sit on the chair.
C1 noun /ˈmɜːrdʒər/

merger

Meaning
The combination of two or more companies into a single entity.
Example
The merger of the two firms created the largest bank in the region.
B2 noun/verb /pəʊl/

poll

Meaning
a survey of public opinion or voting in an election
Example
The poll revealed that most people favored the new policy.
C2 noun /ˈɡræn.tɔːr/

grantor

Meaning
A person or entity that makes a grant or transfers property or rights to another.
Example
The grantor transferred the property rights to the nonprofit organization.
C1 adjective /ˈkjuːmjələtɪv/

cumulative

Meaning
Increasing gradually by addition; growing in quantity, force, or effect.
Example
The cumulative effect of stress can harm your health.
B2 noun /ˈraɪvəl/

Rival

Meaning
a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field
Example
The two companies have been business rivals for decades.
C1 adjective /ˈven.ə.məs/

Venomous

Meaning
secreting venom; full of malice or spite; extremely hostile
Example
The venomous snake struck quickly at its prey.
A2 adverb, adjective, verb, noun /ˈfɔːrwərd/

forward

Meaning
toward the front; to advance or send ahead; an onward position or direction
Example
The troops moved forward to secure the bridge.
C1 noun /ˈpraɪ.meɪt/

primate

Meaning
A member of the group of animals including humans, apes, and monkeys.
Example
Humans are classified as primates.
C1 adjective sɪˈlɛstʃəl

celestial

Meaning
Positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space as observed in astronomy.
Example
The celestial bodies in the sky were clearly visible last night.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛlθfəl/

healthful

Meaning
Promoting good health; beneficial to health.
Example
A healthful diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
C1 verb /ˈkæptɪveɪt/

captivate

Meaning
to attract and hold the interest of; to charm or fascinate
Example
Her beautiful voice captivated the audience.
C2 noun /ˈlɪŋ.ɡwə/

lingua

Meaning
A language, especially one used for communication among people.
Example
English has become a global lingua for business and science.
C1 noun səbˈsɪs.təns

subsistence

Meaning
The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.
Example
Many farmers depend on subsistence agriculture.
B1 noun, verb /ʃeɪd/

shade

Meaning
a sheltered or darker area where direct light is blocked; to block light from something
Example
We sat under the tree for some shade.
B1 adjective /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/

challenging

Meaning
difficult in a way that tests one's abilities
Example
The mountain climb was challenging but rewarding.
B2 adjective ˈɡraʊndˌbreɪ.kɪŋ

groundbreaking

Meaning
Introducing new ideas or methods; innovative or pioneering.
Example
Groundbreaking advancements redefine innovation.
C2 adjective /ˈbɛlɪˌkoʊs/

bellicose

Meaning
Showing a tendency to argue or fight; aggressive.
Example
His bellicose attitude often got him into unnecessary conflicts.
B2 noun /taɪˈfuːn/

typhoon

Meaning
a tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans
Example
The typhoon caused severe flooding in the coastal areas.
B2 noun, verb /pɪə(r)/

peer

Meaning
noun: a person of the same rank or status; verb: to look closely or with difficulty
Example
He tried to peer through the fog to see his peers on the other side.
B2 noun /ˈskʌlp.tər/

Sculptor

Meaning
an artist who creates sculptures by carving, modeling, or shaping materials
Example
The sculptor spent months creating a beautiful marble statue.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrlɔːŋ/

furlong

Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 220 yards or about 201 meters
Example
The horse ran a furlong before slowing down.
C1 adjective /prɪˈpɒstərəs/

preposterous

Meaning
completely ridiculous or absurd; contrary to reason or common sense
Example
The idea that pigs could fly is preposterous.
A2 noun /ˈzi.brə/

Zebra

Meaning
an African animal like a horse with black and white stripes
Example
The zebra ran across the African savanna with its herd.
C2 verb /kəˈmɪŋɡəl/

commingle

Meaning
To mix or blend different things together.
Example
The charity does not commingle donations with operational funds.
B2 noun /ˈbɒmər/

Bomber

Meaning
military aircraft designed to drop bombs on targets
Example
The bomber squadron flew over the city at dawn.
C2 noun /ɪnˈfriːkwəns/

infrequence

Meaning
The state of occurring rarely or at long intervals.
Example
The infrequence of their meetings made it hard to maintain close ties.
B1 noun /ˈvaɪ.ə.ləns/

Violence

Meaning
behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill; extreme force or intensity
Example
The government condemned all forms of violence against civilians.
B1 adjective dəˈmes.tɪk

domestic

Meaning
Existing or occurring inside a particular country; not foreign or international.
Example
Domestic investments stabilize the economy.
A2 verb /bæt/

bat

Meaning
to hit with a bat; to flutter eyelids
Example
She bats her eyelashes flirtatiously.
C2 adjective /ˌmɔːrɡəˈnætɪk/

morganatic

Meaning
relating to a marriage in which one partner, usually of lower social rank, does not share the titles or privileges of the other
Example
The prince entered into a morganatic marriage with a commoner.
C1 noun trəˈdʒek.tər.i

trajectory

Meaning
The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces.
Example
The satellite followed its intended trajectory.
B2 adverb /kənˈsɪstəntli/

consistently

Meaning
in a way that does not vary; regularly and dependably
Example
She has been performing consistently well in her studies.
C1 noun/adjective/verb /bʌf/

buff

Meaning
A fan or enthusiast; also to polish or shine something.
Example
He is a movie buff who watches films every weekend.
C1 noun /ˈnaɪ.tɪŋ.ɡeɪl/

Nightingale

Meaning
small songbird known for its beautiful singing, especially at night
Example
The nightingale sang sweetly in the moonlight.
A2 noun, verb /bɑːr/

bar

Meaning
a counter where drinks are served; to prevent or block
Example
They decided to meet at the bar after work.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈbæləns/

Unbalanced

Meaning
not balanced; lacking stability or equilibrium; mentally unstable
Example
The unbalanced table kept wobbling.
C1 noun /ˈpærəbl/

parable

Meaning
A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Example
Jesus often taught using a parable to convey deeper truths.
C2 adjective /ˈluːsənt/

lucent

Meaning
shining or glowing with light
Example
The lucent stars brightened the night sky.
B1 noun /ɑːrmz/

Arms

Meaning
weapons and ammunition; firearms
Example
The soldiers carried their arms into battle.
C2 verb /dɪˈlæpɪdeɪt/

dilapidate

Meaning
To cause something, especially a building, to fall into ruin or disrepair.
Example
The abandoned house began to dilapidate over the years.
A2 noun /kraɪm/

crime

Meaning
An illegal act punishable by law.
Example
The police are investigating the crime.
A2 adjective /rɪtʃ/

Rich

Meaning
having a lot of money or valuable possessions; abundant in nutrients or flavor
Example
The rich businessman donated money to the charity.
C2 noun /ˈtrɪp.lɪ.kət/

triplicate

Meaning
A set of three identical copies of something.
Example
The documents were prepared in triplicate for official use.
B2 noun /ˈsɛnsəs/

census

Meaning
An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.
Example
The government conducted a census to update demographic data.
B2 adjective /ɪˈmɒrəl/

immoral

Meaning
Not conforming to accepted standards of morality; unethical or wicked.
Example
He was fired for his immoral behavior.
B2 verb /ˈɔːdɪt/

audit

Meaning
to examine and verify financial records or accounts officially
Example
The accountant will audit the company's books next month.
C2 noun /fɪˈlæt.əl.i/

philately

Meaning
the collection and study of postage stamps
Example
Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages.
B2 verb dɪˈspætʃt

dispatched

Meaning
To send off to a destination or for a purpose.
Example
A team was dispatched quickly.
B1 verb /ɪmˈprɛs/

impress

Meaning
to cause someone to feel admiration or respect
Example
Her speech managed to impress the audience.
B2 noun /əˈsɛnt/

ascent

Meaning
The act of rising or climbing to a higher position or level.
Example
The climbers began their ascent to the mountain peak at dawn.
C2 adjective /ˈfuːlˌhɑːrdi/

foolhardy

Meaning
Recklessly bold or rash; taking foolish risks.
Example
It was foolhardy of him to climb the mountain without proper gear.
B2 noun /ɡloʊb/

Globe

Meaning
a spherical or rounded object; the earth; a spherical model of the earth
Example
The teacher used a globe to show the students the locations of different countries.
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 /ˈstɔːrhaʊs/

storehouse

Meaning
A place where goods, supplies, or valuables are stored; a repository
Example
The warehouse acted as a storehouse for all the imported goods.
C1 noun /prəˈvaɪzoʊ/

proviso

Meaning
a condition or stipulation attached to an agreement
Example
He accepted the job offer with the proviso that he could work remotely twice a week.
A2 verb /pruːv/

prove

Meaning
to show that something is true; to demonstrate
Example
The evidence will prove his innocence.
B2 adjective /əˈfen.sɪv/

Offensive

Meaning
causing displeasure or resentment; insulting; aggressive
Example
His offensive remarks hurt everyone's feelings.
C1 verb dɪˈsaɪ.fɚ

decipher

Meaning
To convert something written in code into normal language; to succeed in understanding the meaning of something.
Example
It took hours to decipher the ancient script.
B2 noun /ˈɡæmblɪŋ/

gambling

Meaning
the activity of betting money or valuables on an outcome, often involving risk
Example
He got addicted to gambling at the casino.
B2 noun ˌfʌŋk.ʃəˈnæl.ə.ti

functionality

Meaning
The quality of being functional; the ability to work or operate as intended.
Example
The new refrigerator has improved functionality.
B1 noun /ˈniː.dəl/

Needle

Meaning
a thin, pointed metal instrument used for sewing
Example
She threaded the needle to sew the button.
B1 adjective /skɪld/

Skilled

Meaning
having or showing the knowledge, ability, or training to perform certain activities or work well
Example
He is a skilled carpenter who can build beautiful furniture.
C1 adverb /ˈmɪdweɪ/

Midway

Meaning
halfway; at or to the middle point
Example
The project is midway through completion.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpruː.dəns/

Imprudence

Meaning
the quality of being imprudent; lack of care for consequences; recklessness
Example
His financial imprudence led to bankruptcy within just two years.
B2 noun, verb /rɪˈzɔːrt/

resort

Meaning
A place for rest or recreation; to turn to something for help or solution.
Example
They stayed at a beach resort during their vacation.
C2 verb /ˈtʃæfɪŋ/

chaffing

Meaning
Teasing or joking in a lighthearted way.
Example
They were chaffing each other during lunch.
B2 adjective ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl

ecological

Meaning
Relating to ecology or the environment.
Example
Deforestation threatens the ecological balance of the planet.
C2 noun /ruːˈeɪ/

roue

Meaning
A man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure; a debauched man.
Example
The old roue squandered his fortune on gambling and women.
A2 adverb /ˌɪnˈdɔːrz/

indoors

Meaning
inside a building; within an enclosed space
Example
Because of the rain, everyone stayed indoors.
B1 noun /ˈdʒɜːrnəlɪst/

journalist

Meaning
a person who writes news articles or reports for newspapers, magazines, or media
Example
The journalist covered the political event.
C1 noun ˌdɪs.ɪnˈfek.ʃən

disinfection

Meaning
The process of destroying harmful microorganisms to prevent infection.
Example
Kitchen appliances require frequent disinfection.
C1 adjective /ɔːˌθɒr.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/

authoritarian

Meaning
Demanding absolute obedience to authority; excessively controlling or strict in governance.
Example
Authoritarian parenting often limits a child's independence.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsənɪdʒ/

personage

Meaning
an important or famous person
Example
He is considered a great personage in the world of literature.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈbæntərɪŋ/

bantering

Meaning
characterized by good-humored teasing or joking
Example
They had a bantering conversation at the café.
C2 noun /dʒenˈtɪl.ə.ti/

Gentility

Meaning
social superiority as demonstrated by polite and refined manners; the quality of being well-mannered and refined
Example
Her natural gentility and grace made her popular among high society circles.
A1 verb /kliːn/

clean

Meaning
To make something free from dirt, marks, or mess.
Example
She cleaned the kitchen before the guests arrived.
C2 verb /əˈɡræn.daɪz/

aggrandize

Meaning
To increase the power, wealth, or importance of a person or entity.
Example
The politician tried to aggrandize himself through exaggerated claims.
B1 noun /ˈrɪðəm/

rhythm

Meaning
a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound
Example
The rhythm of the music made everyone want to dance.
C2 noun /kiˌɑːrəˈskjʊəroʊ/

chiaroscuro

Meaning
The use of strong contrasts between light and dark in art or literature to create a dramatic effect.
Example
The artist's painting used chiaroscuro to highlight the figure's face.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪbɪlaɪn/

sibylline

Meaning
Prophetic, mysterious, or cryptic in meaning.
Example
The old woman gave a sibylline warning about the future.
A1 preposition /ʌv/

of

Meaning
expressing the relationship between a part and a whole
Example
The book is on the table, in front of the window.
B2 noun /əˈdɪkʃən/

addiction

Meaning
A strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something, such as drugs, alcohol, or habits.
Example
His addiction to video games affected his studies.
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 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 verb /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/

apprehend

Meaning
to arrest or seize someone; to understand or perceive something
Example
The police managed to apprehend the thief after a long chase.
A2 noun /ˈkælɪndər/

calendar

Meaning
a system for organizing days, months, and years; a chart showing days of the year
Example
She marked her birthday on the calendar.
C2 noun /fez/

Fez

Meaning
a cone-shaped red hat with a tassel, traditionally worn by men in some Middle Eastern countries
Example
The traditional costume included a red fez with a black tassel.
C2 noun /ˈhɒthɛd/

hothead

Meaning
a person who acts quickly and without thinking when angry
Example
He is such a hothead that he often starts arguments.
C1 noun /jɛn/

yen

Meaning
A deep, strong desire or craving.
Example
She felt a strong yen to travel the world.