doyen
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C2 noun /ˈdɔɪən/

doyen

Meaning
The most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
Example
He is regarded as the doyen of modern literature in the country.
C1 noun /æbˈstrækʃən/

abstraction

Meaning
the process of forming general ideas by removing specific details; an abstract concept or idea
Example
Abstraction allows complex ideas to be represented in a simplified form.
B2 verb dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt

deteriorate

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

Seive

Meaning
a utensil consisting of a wire or plastic mesh held in a frame, used for straining solids from liquids
Example
She used a sieve to separate the flour from lumps.
B1 noun /ˈæksɛnt/

accent

Meaning
a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular country or region
Example
She spoke English with a strong French accent.
C2 adjective /ˈliːənaɪn/

leonine

Meaning
Of or resembling a lion.
Example
His leonine hair made him stand out in the crowd.
C2 prefix /dɪs-/

dys-

Meaning
A prefix meaning abnormal, bad, difficult, or impaired.
Example
Words like 'dysfunction' and 'dyslexia' use the prefix dys- to indicate difficulty or impairment.
C1 verb /wiːn/

wean

Meaning
To gradually stop a child or animal from breastfeeding; to detach from a habit.
Example
Parents often wean their babies around six months old.
C1 noun ˌdjʊə.rəˈbɪl.ə.ti

durability

Meaning
The ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
Example
The durability of materials affects performance.
B2 noun /təˈreɪn/

terrain

Meaning
a stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features
Example
The soldiers had to cross rough terrain during the mission.
B2 verb /ˈbrɔːdən/

broaden

Meaning
to make wider or larger in scope; to expand ideas, experience, or understanding
Example
Travel can broaden your perspective on different cultures.
B1 noun /ˈfeɪ.vər/

Favour

Meaning
approval, support, or liking for someone or something; a kind or helpful act
Example
Could you do me a favour and help me move this heavy box?
B2 verb /ɪnˈfɜːr/

infer

Meaning
to conclude or deduce something from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements
Example
From his silence, I inferred that he was not happy with the decision.
C2 adjective /juːˈnɪsənənt/

unisonant

Meaning
Sounding together or in harmony.
Example
The unisonant voices created a powerful effect.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌmdrʌm/

humdrum

Meaning
Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous.
Example
She grew tired of the humdrum routine of office life.
A2 noun /blʌd/

Blood

Meaning
the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and animals, carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body
Example
The doctor took a blood sample for testing.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒɔːnti/

jaunty

Meaning
Having a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner or appearance.
Example
He walked into the room with a jaunty step.
B1 verb /əˈlɑːrm/

alarm

Meaning
to warn of danger; to frighten or disturb
Example
The loud noise alarmed the residents.
C2 noun /əˈsper.ɪ.ti/

asperity

Meaning
Harshness of tone, manner, or surface.
Example
She spoke with asperity when she was interrupted.
B2 noun /kəmˈpoʊnənt/

component

Meaning
a part or element of a larger whole, especially a machine or system
Example
The engine is the most important component of the car.
C2 noun /ˌhɜːrpəˈtɒlədʒɪst/

herpetologist

Meaning
A scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians.
Example
The herpetologist discovered a new species of frog in the rainforest.
B2 noun ɪˈroʊʒən

erosion

Meaning
The gradual destruction or diminishing of something.
Example
Power struggles often lead to the erosion of humanity.
C2 noun /ˈpʌndʒənsi/

pungency

Meaning
The quality of having a strong, sharp taste or smell.
Example
The pungency of garlic filled the kitchen.
B2 adjective /dʌm/

Dumb

Meaning
unable to speak; silent; lacking intelligence; stupid
Example
She remained dumb during the entire meeting.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪndsaɪt/

hindsight

Meaning
Understanding of a situation only after it has happened.
Example
With the benefit of hindsight, we realized the decision was a mistake.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊdəˈrɪfərəs/

odoriferous

Meaning
having or giving off a smell, especially a strong or pleasant one
Example
The garden was filled with odoriferous flowers.
A2 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/

impossible

Meaning
not able to occur, exist, or be done
Example
It is impossible to finish this work in one day.
C1 noun /dɪˈluːʒən/

delusion

Meaning
A false belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality.
Example
He lived under the delusion that he was invincible.
C1 noun /ɪˈnɪɡ.mə/

enigma

Meaning
A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
Example
Life remains an enigma to many.
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.
C2 adjective /spæzˈmɒdɪk/

spasmodic

Meaning
occurring irregularly or in sudden bursts
Example
The patient experienced spasmodic coughing during the night.
B1 adjective əkˈsep.tɪd

accepted

Meaning
Generally believed or recognized to be valid or correct.
Example
The accepted terms were discussed in detail.
B1 verb /leɪ/

lay

Meaning
to put something down in a flat position; to place carefully
Example
Please lay the book on the table.
C1 adjective /tɔːt/

taut

Meaning
stretched or pulled tight; tense
Example
The rope was pulled taut between the two poles.
C2 noun /ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm/

simulacrum

Meaning
an image or representation of someone or something; a superficial likeness
Example
The statue was only a simulacrum of the ancient god.
C2 noun /ˈfræŋkɪnsɛns/

frankincense

Meaning
An aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes, often in religious ceremonies.
Example
The temple was filled with the sweet smell of burning frankincense.
C1 noun /ˌmʌltɪˈplɪsɪti/

multiplicity

Meaning
A large number or variety of something.
Example
The project faced a multiplicity of challenges.
C2 noun /ˈlæsi/

lassie

Meaning
a young girl (informal, mainly Scottish)
Example
The old man greeted the little lassie warmly.
A2 noun ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti

quality

Meaning
The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.
Example
Quality assurance is vital in medical education.
B1 adverb /əˈkeɪʒənəli/

Occasionally

Meaning
sometimes; from time to time; not regularly
Example
I occasionally visit my grandmother on weekends.
A2 verb /ˈmænɪdʒ/

manage

Meaning
to control or organize something; to succeed in doing something difficult
Example
He manages a team of twenty employees effectively.
C1 noun /rɪˈsɜː.dʒəns/

resurgence

Meaning
An increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence.
Example
The city saw a resurgence in tourism after the pandemic.
C1 adjective /ˌrɛmɪˈnɪsənt/

reminiscent

Meaning
Tending to remind one of something; suggestive of something in the past.
Example
The smell of rain is reminiscent of my childhood in the village.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːrlətən/

charlatan

Meaning
a person who pretends to have knowledge or skills that they do not really possess; a fraud
Example
The so-called healer was exposed as a charlatan.
A1 noun, verb /ɡruːp/

group

Meaning
A number of people or things considered together; to arrange things or people into categories.
Example
The students formed a study group.
C1 verb /ˌsuːpərˈsiːd/

supersede

Meaning
To replace or take the place of something because it is more modern or effective.
Example
This new law will supersede the old regulations.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈklaɪnd/

inclined

Meaning
having a tendency or disposition toward something
Example
He is inclined to help those in need.
B2 adjective kənˈven.ʃən.əl

conventional

Meaning
Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; traditional, standard, customary.
Example
Many farmers still use conventional farming methods.
C2 adjective /ˈrʌdi/

ruddy

Meaning
Having a healthy red color in the face.
Example
She had a ruddy complexion from working outdoors.
B2 verb /ˈkɑːmpənseɪt/

compensate

Meaning
to give something to make up for loss or damage; to counterbalance
Example
The company will compensate employees for overtime work.
C2 adjective /ˈdæpər/

dapper

Meaning
Neat, stylish, and well-dressed in appearance.
Example
He looked very dapper in his new suit.
C2 noun /ˈpælɪˌnoʊd/

palinode

Meaning
a poem or statement in which the writer retracts something said in an earlier work
Example
The poet wrote a palinode to apologize for his earlier harsh words.
C2 noun /ˌɛmjʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

emulation

Meaning
Reproducing something or following someone to achieve success.
Example
The software allows the emulation of old video games on modern devices.
C2 noun /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.zəns/

cognizance

Meaning
Awareness, knowledge, or understanding of something; conscious perception.
Example
The judge took cognizance of the new evidence.
C1 noun /ˌæntiˈklaɪmæks/

anticlimax

Meaning
A disappointing end after a big build-up of excitement or expectation.
Example
The movie's ending was an anticlimax after such a thrilling story.
B2 noun /ˈsʌm.ɪt/

summit

Meaning
A high-level meeting between leaders, especially of governments; a conference.
Example
The summit addressed pressing global issues.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnɪt/

tenet

Meaning
a principle, belief, or doctrine held to be true
Example
Honesty is a central tenet of their philosophy.
C2 noun /ˌsɪləbɪˈkeɪʃən/

syllabication

Meaning
The division of words into syllables.
Example
Proper syllabication helps in correct pronunciation.
C1 adjective /ˈaɪərnˌklæd/

ironclad

Meaning
impossible to change, break, or dispute; very strong and firm
Example
The company had an ironclad contract with its suppliers.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːtɪnəs/

haughtiness

Meaning
The appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior and disdainful.
Example
His haughtiness made him unpopular among his peers.
C1 noun /ˈkwɔːrəm/

quorum

Meaning
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business in a meeting.
Example
The board meeting was postponed because there was no quorum.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnˈpɑr.də.nə.bəl/

Unpardonable

Meaning
too bad to be forgiven; inexcusable
Example
His betrayal of trust was an unpardonable offense.
B1 verb /məˈsɑːʒ/

massage

Meaning
to rub and press muscles to relieve pain or tension; to manipulate information
Example
The therapist will massage your back to reduce muscle tension.
C2 verb /ˈfæmɪʃ/

famish

Meaning
to suffer or cause to suffer from extreme hunger
Example
The stranded hikers began to famish after several days without food.
C2 noun ˌɛr.jʊˈdɪʃ.ən

erudition

Meaning
The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarship.
Example
His erudition in history impressed the entire audience.
C2 adjective ˌsʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs

surreptitious

Meaning
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; done stealthily.
Example
She took a surreptitious glance at his notes.
A2 determiner/adjective /ˈfjuːər/

fewer

Meaning
a smaller number of; not as many
Example
Fewer people attended the meeting than expected.
B2 noun /ˌvæk.sɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Vaccination

Meaning
the process of giving a vaccine to a person or animal to protect them against a disease
Example
Children receive vaccination against measles at an early age.
B2 noun /ræk/

Rack

Meaning
a framework or structure for holding or storing things
Example
She hung her coat on the rack by the door.
C1 adjective /sɑːrˈdɒnɪk/

sardonic

Meaning
Grimly mocking or cynical.
Example
She gave him a sardonic smile after hearing his excuse.
C1 noun/verb /ˈprɛdɪkət/ (noun), /ˈprɛdɪkeɪt/ (verb)

predicate

Meaning
noun: the part of a sentence that tells something about the subject; verb: to base or establish something on a particular idea
Example
His theory is predicated on sound research.
B2 adjective /dɪˈvaɪn/

Divine

Meaning
heavenly; sacred; godlike; relating to God or a deity
Example
The divine beauty of the sunset took their breath away.
B2 noun /saɪˈkɒlədʒɪst/

psychologist

Meaning
a person who studies mental processes and behavior
Example
The psychologist helped him cope with his anxiety.
C1 verb /ɪˈkweɪt/

equate

Meaning
To consider as equal or equivalent.
Example
Many people equate wealth with success.
C2 adverb, adjective /ˈɡrætɪs/ or /ˈɡreɪtɪs/

gratis

Meaning
Without charge; free of cost.
Example
The drinks at the event were provided gratis.
C2 verb /rɛnd/

rend

Meaning
to tear something apart violently or forcefully
Example
The explosion rent the air with a deafening noise.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpədiːz/

antipodes

Meaning
places on opposite sides of the Earth; also refers to things that are direct opposites
Example
Australia and Britain are often considered antipodes of each other.
C2 noun /ˈtælən/

talon

Meaning
A claw, especially one belonging to a bird of prey.
Example
The eagle gripped the fish with its sharp talons.
A2 noun /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/

dining

Meaning
the act of eating a meal, especially in a formal setting
Example
We enjoyed fine dining at the new restaurant.
C1 adjective /ˈpɜːrtɪnənt/

pertinent

Meaning
Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
Example
She asked a pertinent question during the meeting.
A2 verb /prəˈduːs/

produce

Meaning
to make, create, or manufacture something
Example
The factory produces cars.
C2 verb /həˈræŋ/

harangue

Meaning
to deliver a long, passionate, and often angry speech
Example
The politician harangued the crowd for over an hour.
C1 adjective /pərˈsweɪdəbl̩/

persuadable

Meaning
capable of being convinced or influenced to do something
Example
She was easily persuadable when it came to trying new foods.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

singular

Meaning
Remarkable, extraordinary; or grammatical form referring to one person or thing.
Example
She has a singular talent for painting.
B2 adjective /ˈɔː.də.li/

Orderly

Meaning
well-organized; systematic; peaceful
Example
Please keep your desk orderly and clean.
B2 noun əˈbʌndəns

abundance

Meaning
A very large quantity of something; plenty
Example
The abundance of vegetables in winter is remarkable.
C1 verb /smɜrk/

smirk

Meaning
to smile in a self-satisfied, smug, or silly way
Example
He smirked when he won the argument.
C1 noun /ˈhɒrəˌskoʊp/

horoscope

Meaning
A forecast of a person's future based on the positions of the stars and planets at their birth.
Example
She read her horoscope every morning to see what the stars predicted.
C2 verb /ˌɪntərˈsiːd/

intercede

Meaning
to act or plead on behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble; to intervene between parties to help resolve a dispute
Example
She interceded with the teacher to give her brother another chance.
C1 noun ˌmɪt.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən

mitigation

Meaning
The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Example
Mitigation of climate change requires collective effort.
A2 noun /ˈmʌŋki/

Monkey

Meaning
a primate mammal that typically has a long tail and lives in trees
Example
The monkey swung from branch to branch in the jungle.
B1 noun /kriˈeɪ.ʃən/

Creation

Meaning
the action or process of bringing something into existence; something that has been made or invented
Example
The artist's latest creation was displayed at the modern art gallery.
A2 verb /ɪnˈkri:s/

increase

Meaning
to become or make something larger in amount, number, or degree
Example
The company plans to increase its production this year.
C2 noun /ˈhæbɪtənt/

habitant

Meaning
An inhabitant; a person or animal that lives in a particular place.
Example
The habitants of the village were friendly and welcoming.
C1 noun ˌpriː.dɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən

predisposition

Meaning
A natural tendency or inclination toward a particular behavior or condition.
Example
Genetic factors can influence a person's predisposition to diseases.
C1 noun /ɒnˈsɒmbəl/

ensemble

Meaning
a group of things or people viewed as a whole, especially performers in music or theater
Example
The theater ensemble gave a spectacular performance.
B1 adverb /ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl.i/

Practically

Meaning
in a practical manner; almost; nearly
Example
The project is practically finished.
C1 noun /ˈpaɪ.ə.ti/

Piety

Meaning
the quality of being religious or reverent; devout religious belief and practice
Example
His piety was evident in his daily prayers.
B2 adverb /ˈsiː.krət.li/

secretly

Meaning
in a way that is hidden or not known by others
Example
She secretly planned a surprise party for her friend.
C1 noun /fiˈæs.koʊ/

fiasco

Meaning
a complete failure, especially a ludicrous or humiliating one
Example
The event turned into a complete fiasco due to poor planning.
C1 adverb /ˌðɛərˈʌv/

Thereof

Meaning
of that; from that
Example
The contract and all amendments thereof must be signed.
B2 verb /siːz/

seize

Meaning
To take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
Example
The police managed to seize the stolen goods.
B2 adverb /ˈnæʃənəli/

nationally

Meaning
at the level of a whole nation; in a way that involves or affects an entire country
Example
The policy was implemented nationally to ensure equal benefits for all citizens.
B2 noun /pərˈspek.tɪv/

Perspective

Meaning
a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view; the art of representing three-dimensional objects
Example
From his perspective, the decision was completely wrong.
C1 noun /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/

serendipity

Meaning
The occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example
Finding that old photo album was pure serendipity.
B2 adjective /ˈskeptɪkəl/

Sceptical

Meaning
having doubts; not easily convinced; questioning the truth of something
Example
Many scientists remain sceptical about the new theory.
B2 noun /əbˈzɜːvər/

observer

Meaning
a person who watches or notices something
Example
The observer took notes during the meeting.
C2 adjective /ˈsɜːrkəmskraɪbd/

circumscribed

Meaning
restricted or limited in scope or freedom
Example
Her freedom of choice was circumscribed by social rules.
A2 verb riˈsaɪklɪŋ

recycling

Meaning
The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects to prevent waste.
Example
Recycling plastic helps in reducing waste.
B1 noun /ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/

Judgement

Meaning
the ability to make considered decisions or form sensible opinions; an official decision made by a judge or court
Example
The jury's judgement was based on careful consideration of all the facts.
C2 adjective /rəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

rapacious

Meaning
having an extreme desire to take things for oneself, greedy
Example
The rapacious landlord raised the rent without reason.
B2 noun /frɒk/

Frock

Meaning
a dress, especially a simple or casual one for women or children
Example
The little girl wore a pink frock to her birthday party.
C1 noun /ˌænɛkˈseɪʃən/

annexation

Meaning
the act of adding or taking control of territory or property, especially by a state
Example
The annexation of the region led to international condemnation.
B1 noun wɛlθ

wealth

Meaning
The state of being rich; material prosperity; an abundance of valuable possessions or money.
Example
Wealth creation involves building assets that earn while you sleep.
B2 noun ˈmaɪl.stəʊn

milestone

Meaning
An important event or stage in the development, progress, or history of something.
Example
This discovery is a milestone in biotechnology.
B1 noun /ˈkɒstjuːm/

costume

Meaning
a set of clothes worn to represent a particular character, culture, or occasion
Example
She wore a beautiful costume for the Halloween party.
C1 adjective /ˈʌndərhænd/

underhand

Meaning
done secretly and dishonestly; deceitful
Example
The politician was accused of using underhand tactics to win the election.
C1 noun, verb /ˈskʌf.əl/

scuffle

Meaning
a short, confused fight or struggle; to engage in such a fight
Example
Two players scuffled on the field after the foul.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈtɛl/

foretell

Meaning
to predict or announce something before it happens
Example
The old man claimed he could foretell the future.
C2 adjective /ˌmɪsənˈθrɑːpɪk/

misanthropic

Meaning
having or showing a dislike of humankind
Example
His misanthropic attitude made it difficult for him to make friends.