distress
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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 adjective /ˌɪntəˈpɜːsənl/

interpersonal

Meaning
Relating to relationships or communication between people.
Example
He has excellent interpersonal skills and gets along well with others.
B2 adjective /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/

underlying

Meaning
basic or hidden but important; forming the foundation of something
Example
The underlying reason for the conflict was never addressed.
A2 adjective /ˈhɛl.θi/

healthy

Meaning
Good physical and mental condition, free from disease or illness.
Example
Regular exercise and a balanced diet keep the body healthy.
B2 adjective /liːn/

Lean

Meaning
thin; having little fat; weak
Example
He has a lean and muscular body.
C2 noun /pʌntʃ ˈfoʊrən/

Panch Phoron

Meaning
a Bengali spice blend containing five whole spices: cumin, fennel, fenugreek, nigella, and mustard seeds
Example
The aroma filled the kitchen when she heated panch phoron in oil.
C2 noun, verb /əˈfrʌnt/

affront

Meaning
An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
Example
He took her criticism as a personal affront.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːrtər/

mortar

Meaning
a mixture used in building to bond bricks or stones together; also, a small cannon for firing shells
Example
The workers applied mortar between the bricks.
A2 verb /kəmˈper/

compare

Meaning
to examine similarities and differences between things
Example
I will compare these two products before buying.
C1 adjective /ˈdʒiː.ni.əl/

genial

Meaning
friendly, cheerful, and pleasant
Example
She greeted us with a genial smile.
C2 noun /ˈʌn.dɚˌstɔː.ri/

understory

Meaning
The layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.
Example
The understory of a rainforest is home to small mammals and insects.
C2 noun /ˈdʒaɪər/

gyre

Meaning
A circular or spiral motion or form, especially a giant circular oceanic surface current.
Example
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is trapped in a gyre.
C2 noun /ˈdɒkɪt/

docket

Meaning
a list or schedule of cases to be tried in a court or items to be done
Example
The judge reviewed the docket before starting the session.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈɪnvəlɪd/ (adjective), /ɪnˈvælɪd/ (noun)

invalid

Meaning
Not valid; having no force or effect. Also refers to a person too weak or ill to care for themselves.
Example
The court declared the contract invalid.
C2 adjective /suːˈpɜːrnəl/

supernal

Meaning
Relating to the heavens; celestial or divine.
Example
The painting captured a supernal beauty that felt otherworldly.
C2 adjective /ˌnɒndɪˈskrɪpt/

nondescript

Meaning
Lacking distinctive or interesting features; dull and unremarkable.
Example
He lives in a nondescript apartment building on the edge of town.
C1 noun /ˈbɛərnəs/

bareness

Meaning
the state of being bare or uncovered; lack of decoration, warmth, or concealment
Example
The bareness of the room made it feel cold and unwelcoming.
B2 noun /ˈdʒoʊ.kər/

Joker

Meaning
a playing card with a picture of a jester, used as a wild card; a person who is fond of joking
Example
He used the joker card to complete his winning hand in the poker game.
B1 noun /təˈbækoʊ/

tobacco

Meaning
a plant grown for its leaves, which are used in making cigarettes and cigars
Example
He stopped smoking tobacco after his health scare.
C2 noun /ˈbʌɡəˌbuː/

bugaboo

Meaning
An object of fear or worry; an imagined cause of anxiety.
Example
The threat of inflation became a political bugaboo.
C2 adjective /əˈkɪliən/

achillean

Meaning
like or characteristic of Achilles; strong but vulnerable
Example
His achillean pride made him blind to danger.
B2 noun /læp/

Lap

Meaning
the flat area between the waist and knees of a seated person; one circuit of a track or course
Example
The cat curled up comfortably in her lap while she read her book.
C1 adjective /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/

precocious

Meaning
Showing advanced development or maturity at an unusually early age.
Example
The precocious child was reading novels at the age of five.
C1 adjective /ˈvæljuːləs/

valueless

Meaning
having no worth, importance, or usefulness
Example
The old broken phone was considered valueless.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːrt.kʌm.ɪŋ/

Shortcoming

Meaning
a fault or failure to meet a certain standard; a deficiency
Example
Despite his many talents, he has some shortcomings.
B1 noun /ɪˈfɛk.tɪv kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

effective communication

Meaning
Clear and meaningful exchange of information that achieves its intended purpose.
Example
Effective communication is key to strong relationships.
B1 noun /ˈjuːnjən/

Union

Meaning
the action of joining or combining; a political unit formed from separate states
Example
The union of the two companies created a powerful corporation.
B2 noun /mʌŋk/

Monk

Meaning
a man who is a member of a religious community living under vows
Example
The monk spent hours in meditation each day.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈwaɪə.ləs/

Wireless

Meaning
operating without wires; using radio waves for communication
Example
My wireless headphones provide excellent sound quality without any cables.
B2 adjective ˌæs.trəˈnɒm.ɪ.kəl

astronomical

Meaning
Relating to astronomy; extremely large in amount or extent.
Example
The astronomical price reflects its exclusivity.
A2 noun /ˈhæb.ɪt/

habit

Meaning
A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
Example
Eye rubbing is a harmful habit.
B2 adjective /njuːˈtrɪʃ.əs/

Nutritious

Meaning
containing substances that help the body grow and stay healthy; nourishing
Example
Eating nutritious food helps maintain good health.
B1 verb /ədˈmaɪər/

admire

Meaning
To respect, appreciate, or look up to someone or something.
Example
I really admire her dedication to education.
C2 noun /fɔːn/

faun

Meaning
a mythological creature that is half human and half goat
Example
The sculpture depicted a playful faun dancing in the forest.
B2 noun, adjective, adverb /ˌnɔːrθˈwest/

northwest

Meaning
the direction that is between north and west; situated in or moving toward this direction
Example
Seattle is located in the northwest of the United States.
A1 adjective /ʃʊr/

Sure

Meaning
completely confident that something is true; certain; definitely true
Example
I am sure that he will come tomorrow.
B2 noun /mɪnt/

Mint

Meaning
An aromatic plant used for flavoring; also a place where money is manufactured
Example
She added fresh mint leaves to the tea for a refreshing taste.
B2 noun /ˌæn.ɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/

Animation

Meaning
the technique of making inanimate objects appear to move; liveliness and enthusiasm
Example
The animation in this movie is incredibly detailed.
C1 noun/verb /ˈbæntər/

banter

Meaning
playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
Example
The colleagues enjoyed some light banter during the meeting.
C2 adjective /ˈæʒər/

azure

Meaning
A bright blue color like that of a clear sky.
Example
The clear sky was painted in a deep shade of azure.
B2 verb /klæʃ/

clash

Meaning
to come into conflict or collision with something or someone.
Example
The two cars clashed in the intersection.
C1 adjective /mʌnˈdeɪn/

mundane

Meaning
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
Example
She tried to escape her mundane routine by traveling.
B2 noun /ˈreɪsɪzəm/

racism

Meaning
the belief that some races are superior to others, leading to unfair treatment or prejudice
Example
The organization works to eliminate racism in all forms.
B2 noun /ˈbroʊ.kər/

Broker

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or assets for others; an intermediary
Example
The stock broker helped me invest my money wisely.
C1 noun /slæb/

slab

Meaning
a large, thick, flat piece of stone, concrete, or other hard material
Example
The workers laid a concrete slab for the foundation.
A1 adjective /ˈfrɛndli/

friendly

Meaning
Kind and pleasant; showing goodwill and affection.
Example
The shop owner is very friendly to new customers.
C2 noun /ˈfænˌtæzəm/

phantasm

Meaning
an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination
Example
The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪsɪt/

licit

Meaning
Permitted by law or by rules; legal.
Example
The trade of certain goods is licit under international law.
C2 verb /ˈɑːblɪˌɡeɪt/

obligate

Meaning
to bind legally or morally; to compel someone to do something
Example
The contract obligates the company to provide timely service.
C1 noun /ˈsiːskeɪp/

seascape

Meaning
A view or painting of the sea.
Example
The artist painted a beautiful seascape at sunset.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərpəˈzɪʃən/

interposition

Meaning
The act of intervening or coming between two things, often to influence or prevent an outcome.
Example
The manager’s interposition prevented a heated argument from escalating.
C2 adjective /vaɪˈtjuːpərəbl̩/

vituperable

Meaning
Deserving of blame, censure, or harsh criticism.
Example
His reckless actions made him vituperable in the eyes of his colleagues.
B1 adverb /ˈnjuːli/

newly

Meaning
in a new or recent manner
Example
She has newly renovated her house.
B2 noun /ˈseɪf.ɡɑːrd/

Safeguard

Meaning
measure or action designed to protect someone or something
Example
New safeguards were implemented to prevent data breaches.
C1 adjective /ˈbleɪmləs/

blameless

Meaning
innocent of wrongdoing; not deserving blame
Example
She remained calm and blameless throughout the investigation.
C1 noun ˈiː.θɒs

ethos

Meaning
The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations.
Example
The company's ethos is built on innovation and integrity.
C1 adverb /ˈaʊtwədli/

Outwardly

Meaning
on the surface; externally; in appearance
Example
Outwardly, he seemed calm, but inside he was nervous.
C2 noun /ˈmæsəkɪst/

masochist

Meaning
a person who derives pleasure from their own pain or humiliation
Example
He was called a masochist for enjoying tough challenges.
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.
C2 noun /ˈvɔːdəvɪl/

vaudeville

Meaning
A type of entertainment popular in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of comedy, song, dance, and variety acts.
Example
The vaudeville show included comedians, magicians, and dancers.
A2 noun /dɪˈziːz/

disease

Meaning
An illness or medical condition that affects the body or mind.
Example
The doctor is researching a cure for the disease.
C1 adjective /ˈpɔɪ.njənt/

poignant

Meaning
evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; deeply touching
Example
The movie's ending was so poignant that many in the audience were moved to tears.
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 noun /ˈmjuːtɪni/

mutiny

Meaning
an open rebellion against authority, especially by soldiers or sailors
Example
The sailors staged a mutiny against their captain.
C1 verb /ˈɑːrbɪtreɪt/

arbitrate

Meaning
to settle a dispute between two parties by acting as an impartial judge
Example
The committee agreed to arbitrate the contract dispute.
B1 noun /ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz/

consequences

Meaning
Results or effects of an action or condition.
Example
The consequences of ignoring safety protocols can be severe.
B1 adjective ɪɡˈzɪs.tɪŋ

existing

Meaning
In existence; present; current.
Example
The commission reviews existing provisions.
A2 adjective /ˈtaɪ.di/

Tidy

Meaning
arranged neatly and in order; clean and organized
Example
She keeps her room very tidy and organized.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkʌltʃəd/

Uncultured

Meaning
lacking good manners, refinement, or education; uncivilized
Example
His uncultured behavior embarrassed everyone at the dinner party.
C2 adjective /luːd/

lewd

Meaning
Sexually offensive, obscene, or vulgar.
Example
He was arrested for making lewd remarks in public.
B1 noun /ˈpraɪ.və.si/

Privacy

Meaning
the state of being alone and not watched or disturbed by other people; the right to keep your personal information secret
Example
Everyone has the right to privacy.
C1 noun /ɪnˌkɑːsəˈreɪʃən/

incarceration

Meaning
the state of being imprisoned or confined
Example
The criminal faced years of incarceration for his crimes.
B2 adjective /ˈɔɪl.i/

Oily

Meaning
covered with oil; containing oil; greasy
Example
Her oily skin needs special care.
B2 noun /spaʊs/

spouse

Meaning
a person's husband or wife
Example
Each employee may include their spouse in the health insurance plan.
C2 adjective /ˌeθ.noʊˈsen.trɪk/

ethnocentric

Meaning
evaluating other cultures according to the standards of one's own culture
Example
His ethnocentric attitude made it hard for him to appreciate foreign traditions.
C2 adjective /ˈflæs.ɪd/

Flaccid

Meaning
soft and limp; lacking firmness; drooping
Example
The plant's leaves became flaccid after days without water.
A2 adverb /kəˈrɛktli/

correctly

Meaning
in a way that is true, accurate, or without mistakes
Example
She answered all the questions correctly.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdɔːrs/

endorse

Meaning
To give approval or support to someone or something; to publicly recommend.
Example
The celebrity endorsed the new skincare product.
C1 adjective /ˈkɒz.mɪk/

cosmic

Meaning
relating to the universe or cosmos; vast
Example
Astronomers study cosmic phenomena to understand the universe.
C2 adjective /ˌhæfˈhɑːr.tɪd/

halfhearted

Meaning
lacking enthusiasm or determination; unenthusiastic
Example
His halfhearted attempt to study did not bring good results.
C2 adjective /lʌɡˈʒʊəriənt/

luxuriant

Meaning
abundant in growth or richly abundant
Example
The luxuriant forest was teeming with life.
C2 noun /ɪmp/

imp

Meaning
a small mischievous devil or sprite; a playful troublemaker
Example
The child was acting like a little imp, hiding his toys everywhere.
A1 noun /tɜːrn/

Turn

Meaning
an act of moving something in a circular direction; a change of direction; an opportunity to do something
Example
It's your turn to speak at the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈɒstrəsɪzəm/

ostracism

Meaning
The act of excluding someone from a group or society.
Example
The student faced ostracism after breaking the rules.
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.
B1 noun /ˌɑk.jəˈpeɪ.ʃən/

Occupation

Meaning
a job or profession; the action of taking control of a place
Example
Teaching is her chosen occupation.
C2 adjective /boʊˈhiːmiən/

bohemian

Meaning
unconventional, artistic, and free-spirited in lifestyle or appearance
Example
She decorated her apartment in a bohemian style with colorful fabrics.
C2 noun /feɪt/

fete

Meaning
a celebration or festival, often in honor of someone
Example
The village held a grand fete to celebrate the harvest.
A1 noun /dæd/

dad

Meaning
an informal term for father
Example
My dad taught me how to ride a bike.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈrɔːrəl/

auroral

Meaning
Relating to or resembling the aurora, especially the northern lights.
Example
The scientists observed auroral activity in the night sky.
B1 noun /ˈfɑːrməsi/

pharmacy

Meaning
A place where medicinal drugs are prepared and sold.
Example
I went to the pharmacy to buy antibiotics.
C2 adjective /dɪsˈkʌmfɪtɪŋ/

discomfiting

Meaning
Causing unease, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Example
His discomfiting questions made everyone shift uncomfortably in their seats.
C1 verb /ˈnɪbəl/

nibble

Meaning
to take small bites of food
Example
The rabbit nibbled on a carrot.
B1 adverb /ˈfriːli/

Freely

Meaning
without restriction; openly; willingly
Example
She spoke freely about her experiences during the interview.
C1 noun /brʌnt/

brunt

Meaning
the worst part or main impact of something unpleasant
Example
The small town bore the brunt of the storm.
B2 adverb /ˈsoʊlli/

solely

Meaning
only; not involving anyone or anything else
Example
He is solely responsible for the decision.
C1 noun /ˌprɑːfɪˈtɪr/

profiteer

Meaning
a person who makes excessive profits, especially unfairly or illegally
Example
The government punished war profiteers.
C1 adjective /ɛsˈθɛtɪk/

esthetic

Meaning
Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
Example
The building’s esthetic design attracted many visitors.
C1 adjective /ˈljʊərɪd/

lurid

Meaning
shocking or sensational in a vivid way, often involving crime or violence
Example
The newspaper published a lurid account of the crime.
C2 noun /spʌndʒ ɡɔːrd/

Sponse gourd

Meaning
a fibrous gourd that becomes sponge-like when dried, used for cleaning and in cooking when young
Example
The sponge gourd can be eaten when young or dried to make natural scrubbers.
C1 noun əˈɡrɛriən səˈsaɪətiz

agrarian societies

Meaning
Societies based on agriculture and farming as the primary economic activity.
Example
Agrarian societies emerged from a need for stable food sources.
C1 noun ˌpriːˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən

preoccupation

Meaning
The state of being absorbed in thought; mental distraction.
Example
His preoccupation with work led to neglecting his personal life.
C1 verb /hjuːˈmɪlieɪt/

humiliate

Meaning
to make someone feel ashamed or foolish by injuring their dignity
Example
He was humiliated by his public failure.
B2 noun /ˌek.spekˈteɪ.ʃən/

Expectation

Meaning
a strong belief that something will happen or be the case; anticipation
Example
The new teacher exceeded everyone's expectations with her innovative teaching methods.
C2 adjective /həˈmɑː.lə.ɡəs/

homologous

Meaning
Having the same relation, relative position, or structure, especially due to evolutionary origin.
Example
The wings of bats and the arms of humans are homologous structures.
C1 verb /ˈfɔːrtɪˌfaɪ/

fortify

Meaning
To strengthen a place, person, or thing physically or mentally.
Example
They fortified the city walls to protect against invasion.
C2 adjective /kənˈkɒmɪtənt/

concomitant

Meaning
Naturally accompanying or associated with something.
Example
Increased stress is often concomitant with long working hours.
B1 noun /slaɪs/

Slice

Meaning
a thin, flat piece cut from something larger
Example
Would you like a slice of pizza?
C1 verb /ˌrɛzəˈrɛkt/

resurrect

Meaning
To bring back to life or revive something from the past.
Example
The director decided to resurrect the old play for a new audience.
A1 noun /taʊn/

town

Meaning
a human settlement smaller than a city
Example
The town was quiet on Sundays.
B2 noun /ˈbærəl/

barrel

Meaning
a large cylindrical container used to hold liquids
Example
The wine was stored in a wooden barrel.
B1 adjective /ɪnˈvɑːlvd/

involved

Meaning
complicated or engaged in something
Example
She was deeply involved in community service.
C1 adjective /ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl/

existential

Meaning
Relating to human existence, often concerning meaning or purpose of life.
Example
She went through an existential crisis during her midlife.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈvɪntɪdʒ/

vintage

Meaning
Relating to high quality from the past; classic; also the year of a wine harvest.
Example
She wore a vintage dress from the 1950s.
C1 adjective /θiːˈmætɪk/

thematic

Meaning
Relating to or based on a theme.
Example
The book is organized into thematic chapters.
C1 adjective ˈtæs.ɪt

tacit

Meaning
Understood or implied without being openly expressed or stated
Example
Their mutual understanding was based on tacit agreement.
B2 noun ˈʃeɪdɪd ˈɛəriə

shaded area

Meaning
An area that is protected from direct sunlight.
Example
We sat in a shaded area by the riverbank.
C2 noun /wɛlt/

welt

Meaning
A raised mark on the skin, usually from a blow or allergic reaction.
Example
He had a red welt on his arm after the bee sting.
B2 noun /ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn/

pipeline

Meaning
a long tube through which liquids or gases are transported
Example
The company is building a new pipeline to transport natural gas.
B1 noun /rɪˈpɔːtɪŋ/

reporting

Meaning
the act of giving news or information about something
Example
Good reporting is essential for public awareness.