flay
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C2 verb /fleɪ/

flay

Meaning
to strip off the skin of something or criticize severely
Example
The chef flayed the fish before cooking it.
C1 noun /ˈmɒk.ər.i/

Mockery

Meaning
teasing and contemptuous language or behavior; ridicule
Example
His speech was met with mockery from the audience.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/

cynical

Meaning
Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
Example
She was cynical about the politician's promises.
B1 adjective /draɪd/

dried

Meaning
without moisture; preserved by removing water
Example
She added some dried flowers to the vase for decoration.
B2 verb /ˈreɪn.dʒɪŋ/

ranging

Meaning
Extending or varying between limits.
Example
The temperatures are ranging from 15 to 30 degrees this week.
C1 adjective /ˌsækrəˈlɪdʒəs/

sacrilegious

Meaning
Showing disrespect or irreverence toward something sacred.
Example
The painting was criticized as being sacrilegious.
C1 adjective /ˌhɒməˈdʒiːniəs/

homogeneous

Meaning
Of the same kind; alike.
Example
The team was not homogeneous in their skills.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪf.taɪm/

lifetime

Meaning
The duration of a person's life or the existence of something.
Example
She achieved more in her lifetime than most people dream of.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑlːoʊ/

Hollow

Meaning
having an empty space inside; lacking substance or meaning; insincere
Example
The hollow tree trunk provided shelter for small animals.
C1 noun /ˈæmnəsti/

amnesty

Meaning
An official pardon granted to people who have been convicted of political offenses.
Example
The government announced an amnesty for all political prisoners.
B1 noun /ɪkˈspreʃ.ən/

Expression

Meaning
the act of making thoughts or feelings known; a look on someone's face
Example
The artist's painting was a beautiful expression of her inner emotions.
B2 adjective ˌkɒntrəˈdɪktəri

contradictory

Meaning
Mutually opposed or inconsistent; containing elements that oppose each other.
Example
Their views on education are contradictory.
C2 verb /ˈvɪtrɪfaɪ/

vitrify

Meaning
to turn into glass or a glass-like substance by heat
Example
Sand can vitrify under intense heat.
A1 noun /peɪdʒ/

page

Meaning
one side of a sheet of paper, or a single sheet of paper in a book or document
Example
Turn to the next page for more information.
C1 noun /ˌdɜːrməˈtɑːlədʒɪst/

dermatologist

Meaning
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin diseases.
Example
She consulted a dermatologist for her skin allergy.
B2 noun /ˈplænər/

planner

Meaning
a person who makes plans or a book used for organizing schedules and tasks
Example
She uses a daily planner to organize her meetings.
A1 noun /ˈhoʊmwɜːrk/

homework

Meaning
schoolwork that a student does at home
Example
I need to finish my math homework before dinner.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈlɪdʒəs/

irreligious

Meaning
Indifferent or hostile to religion
Example
Some people in the community consider him irreligious because he never attends religious services.
C1 noun /woʊz/

woes

Meaning
great sorrow or distress; troubles
Example
The company faced financial woes after the market crash.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnsjələr/

insular

Meaning
Narrow-minded, isolated, or relating to an island.
Example
The community was criticized for its insular attitudes toward outsiders.
C1 noun /ʃruː/

shrew

Meaning
a small mouse-like animal; also a woman with a bad temper
Example
The play describes a strong-willed woman as a shrew.
C1 noun /roʊz ˈber.i/

Rose berry

Meaning
a type of berry with rose-like characteristics or flavor
Example
The rose berry has a delicate floral taste that reminds me of roses.
B2 adjective /ˈkæθəlɪk/

catholic

Meaning
Including a wide variety; all-embracing; relating to the Roman Catholic Church.
Example
She has catholic tastes in music, enjoying everything from jazz to opera.
C2 adjective /əˈkɜːrsɪd/

accursed

Meaning
Doomed, detestable, or under a curse.
Example
The villagers avoided the accursed house on the hill.
B2 adjective /ˈflɔː.ləs/

Flawless

Meaning
perfect; without any defects or faults; immaculate
Example
Her flawless performance earned her a standing ovation.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

uninteresting

Meaning
not holding attention or curiosity; boring
Example
The lecture was uninteresting and difficult to stay focused on.
C2 noun /ɑːlˈfækʃən/

olfaction

Meaning
The sense of smell; the process of detecting and perceiving odors.
Example
Dogs have a highly developed sense of olfaction.
C1 noun ˈæ.sɛt ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən

asset allocation

Meaning
An investment strategy that aims to balance risk and reward by apportioning a portfolio's assets according to an individual's goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
Example
Proper asset allocation is key to financial growth.
C1 verb /ˈhʌsəl/

hustle

Meaning
to move quickly and energetically; to push or work hard to achieve something
Example
She had to hustle to finish the project on time.
B1 noun /əˈpɒlədʒi/

apology

Meaning
a statement expressing regret for something wrong or hurtful
Example
He offered an apology for being late to the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ/

monologue

Meaning
A long speech by one person, often in a play or performance.
Example
The actor delivered a powerful monologue on stage.
C1 noun /əˈkɜr.əns/

Occurrence

Meaning
an instance or event of something happening; the fact of occurring
Example
The occurrence of earthquakes is common in this region.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.təˈstel.ər

interstellar

Meaning
Occurring or situated between stars.
Example
Scientists study interstellar travel possibilities.
C2 noun /ˈɪnˌɡreɪt/

ingrate

Meaning
An ungrateful person; someone who shows no appreciation.
Example
He worked hard for his friend, but the ingrate never thanked him.
C1 adjective /ˌsekənd ˈreɪt/

second-rate

Meaning
Of mediocre or inferior quality.
Example
The movie was entertaining but clearly second-rate compared to the original.
A1 noun /roʊd/

road

Meaning
a wide way leading from one place to another
Example
We drove along the road to the village.
B2 noun /ˈveɪ.pər/

Vapour

Meaning
a substance in the form of a gas, especially when it has changed from a liquid or solid state
Example
Water vapour rose from the hot pavement after the rain.
C2 adjective /ɪmˈpɪəriəs/

imperious

Meaning
Arrogantly domineering or overbearing.
Example
Her imperious tone made it hard for others to argue.
B2 verb /ˈdæzəl/

dazzle

Meaning
to impress deeply or blind with brilliance or skill
Example
The magician's tricks dazzled the audience.
C1 noun /ˈmæksɪm/

maxim

Meaning
a short, well-known statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
Example
Honesty is a timeless maxim valued in every culture.
C1 noun ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl̩ ˈkɒmpɪtənsi

indispensable competency

Meaning
Essential skill or ability that cannot be done without; a crucial capability that is absolutely necessary.
Example
Digital literacy is an indispensable competency in the 21st century.
B2 adjective /ˈduː.əl/

Dual

Meaning
having two parts or consisting of two elements; double
Example
She has dual citizenship of both countries.
A2 adjective /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

Traditional

Meaning
relating to or following long-established customs; conventional
Example
They had a traditional wedding ceremony.
C1 adjective /ˈraʊzɪŋ/

rousing

Meaning
Exciting, inspiring, or stirring.
Example
The speaker delivered a rousing speech that moved the audience.
B1 verb /daɪn/

dine

Meaning
to eat a meal, especially the main meal of the day
Example
We usually dine at seven o'clock in the evening.
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.
C1 verb /ˈhɔːrɪfaɪ/

horrify

Meaning
to fill with horror; to shock or disgust greatly
Example
The violent scene horrified the audience.
A2 noun /prəˈdʌkʃən/

production

Meaning
the process of manufacturing or creating something
Example
The production of this film took over a year.
A1 verb /tel/

tell

Meaning
to say something to someone; to give information or instructions
Example
Can you tell me the time?
C2 adjective ˌɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs

inefficacious

Meaning
Not producing any or the desired effect; ineffective.
Example
The treatment was inefficacious in curing the disease.
C1 noun /ˈdʒʌɡərˌnɔːt/

juggernaut

Meaning
A huge, powerful, and unstoppable force or institution.
Example
The new tech company has become a juggernaut in the industry.
B2 adjective /boʊld/

Bold

Meaning
brave; confident; daring
Example
He made a bold decision to start his own business.
C1 noun /blaɪt/

blight

Meaning
A disease or condition that causes plants to wither; something that spoils or damages.
Example
The drought was a blight on the farmer’s crops.
A2 verb, noun /dɪsˈlaɪk/

dislike

Meaning
to feel distaste or aversion for someone or something; a feeling of aversion
Example
I really dislike eating spicy food.
B2 noun /səˈspens/

Suspense

Meaning
a feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what will happen
Example
The movie kept us in suspense until the very end.
B2 noun smɔːl ˈɛfərt

Small Effort

Meaning
Minor actions or initiatives that can collectively make a significant impact.
Example
Small efforts can bring big changes in butterfly conservation.
B1 verb kənˈsjuːmz

consumes

Meaning
Use up (a resource); eat, drink, or ingest (food or drink).
Example
An individual consumes around 20 kg of plastic annually.
A1 pronoun /ðɛər/

their

Meaning
belonging to or associated with the people or things previously mentioned
Example
Their house is on the corner.
C1 noun /frəˈdʒɪl.ɪ.ti/

fragility

Meaning
The quality of being fragile; delicateness.
Example
The cornea's fragility increases with rubbing.
C1 noun rɪˈdʌndənsi

redundancy

Meaning
The state of being not or no longer needed or useful; superfluousness.
Example
The redundancy in the company's workforce led to many layoffs.
C1 noun /meɪn/

mane

Meaning
the long hair growing on the neck of a horse, lion, or other animal
Example
The lion shook its thick mane proudly.
B1 adverb /ˈɡlæd.li/

Gladly

Meaning
willingly and with pleasure
Example
I would gladly help you with your homework.
B1 adjective /prɪˈsaɪs/

precise

Meaning
Marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail.
Example
She gave precise instructions for the experiment.
C2 noun /ˈlɪθəˌɡræf/

lithograph

Meaning
a print made by lithography, often artistic
Example
The museum displayed a rare lithograph from the 19th century.
B1 noun ˈpʌb.lɪk ˈspiː.kɪŋ

public speaking

Meaning
The skill of speaking confidently in front of an audience.
Example
Public speaking skills are essential for leadership roles.
B2 noun /ˈspɛk.tə.kəl/

spectacle

Meaning
An impressive display or performance for viewers.
Example
The fireworks created a breathtaking spectacle in the night sky.
C1 noun ˈdɪk.ʃən

diction

Meaning
The style of pronunciation and word choice in speaking or writing.
Example
A strong diction enhances communication skills.
C1 noun /ˈbaɪ.lɔː/

by-law

Meaning
A rule made by a company, organization, or local authority to control the actions of its members.
Example
The city council passed a new by-law regulating street vendors.
C2 noun /ˌprɛsiˈɒsɪti/

preciosity

Meaning
Excessive refinement or affected elegance in language, style, or behavior.
Example
The author's preciosity made the novel difficult to read for some audiences.
A2 adjective /ˈsʌðərn/

southern

Meaning
located in or facing the south; southern regions
Example
She moved to a southern city for work.
C2 adjective /ɪˈnɪkwɪtəs/

iniquitous

Meaning
grossly unfair and morally wrong
Example
Slavery was one of the most iniquitous practices in history.
B2 noun /toʊl/

toll

Meaning
A charge payable for using a road or bridge; also the extent of damage or suffering caused by something.
Example
The flood took a heavy toll on the village.
C1 noun /ˈɔːtəkræt/

autocrat

Meaning
A ruler with absolute power.
Example
The autocrat controlled the country with an iron fist.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrksəm/

irksome

Meaning
annoying or irritating
Example
Waiting in a long line is one of the most irksome tasks.
C1 noun /ədˈhɪərənt/

adherent

Meaning
a person who supports or follows a particular belief, cause, or leader
Example
He is a strong adherent of democratic values.
C1 adjective /ˈɡleɪʃəl/

glacial

Meaning
relating to ice or glaciers; extremely cold or unfriendly
Example
The mountains were covered in glacial ice.
B1 noun /ɡæŋ/

gang

Meaning
An organized group of people, often involved in crime or violence.
Example
The gang was arrested by the police last night.
C1 adjective /ˌɔːtəˈkrætɪk/

autocratic

Meaning
Relating to a ruler who has absolute power and does not consult others.
Example
The manager’s autocratic style discouraged employees from sharing their ideas.
B2 noun, verb /bʌt/

butt

Meaning
to hit or push with the head or horns; the end part of something, especially a cigarette
Example
The goat butted the fence with its horns.
A2 noun /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/

equipment

Meaning
the necessary tools, machines, or other items needed for a particular purpose
Example
The laboratory bought new equipment for research.
A2 pronoun /ðəmˈsɛlvz/

themselves

Meaning
used to emphasize the subject of the sentence or to refer to the subject doing something to itself
Example
They fixed the problem themselves.
A2 preposition /əˈpɒn/

upon

Meaning
on or immediately after
Example
Upon hearing the news, he rushed to the hospital.
C2 adjective /ˈæpəˌleɪt/

appellate

Meaning
relating to appeals in a court of law
Example
The case was taken to an appellate court.
B2 noun /ˈkʌlprɪt/

culprit

Meaning
a person who is responsible for a crime or misdeed
Example
The police caught the culprit behind the robbery.
C1 noun /ˈtændʒənt/

tangent

Meaning
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not cross it
Example
The teacher drew a tangent to the circle on the board.
C2 verb /ˈbleɪzən/

blazon

Meaning
to display prominently or vividly
Example
The slogan was blazoned across the banner in bold letters.
B2 noun /vɜːrs/

verse

Meaning
A line of writing in poetry; a section of a song or poem.
Example
She wrote a beautiful verse for the wedding ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈlɪtəni/

litany

Meaning
a long, repetitive, or tedious account or list; originally a form of prayer
Example
The politician gave a litany of promises during the campaign.
C1 verb/noun /skaʊl/

scowl

Meaning
To frown in an angry or bad-tempered way.
Example
She scowled when she heard the unfair remark.
C2 noun /ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

spoliation

Meaning
The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.
Example
The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence.
C2 adjective /ɡoʊʃ/

gauche

Meaning
lacking social grace, sensitivity, or tact; awkward
Example
His gauche remarks embarrassed everyone at the dinner party.
C1 adjective /əˈrɛstɪŋ/

arresting

Meaning
Attracting attention in a striking or impressive way.
Example
The actress gave an arresting performance.
B2 adjective /ˈtaɪərləs/

tireless

Meaning
Showing great effort or energy without becoming tired.
Example
She worked tirelessly to complete the project on time.
B2 verb /tiːz/

Tease

Meaning
to make fun of someone in a playful or unkind way
Example
Children often tease their younger siblings playfully.
C1 noun /ɔːˈtɒkrəsi/

autocracy

Meaning
A system of government in which one person has absolute power.
Example
The country suffered under decades of autocracy.
A1 verb /əˈɡriː/

agree

Meaning
to have the same opinion; to consent; to be in harmony
Example
We all agree that the plan is excellent.
C2 adjective /əˈkjuː.zəˌtɔːr.i/

accusatory

Meaning
Suggesting blame or indicating someone has done wrong.
Example
He gave her an accusatory glance.
C2 verb /ˈskærɪfaɪ/

scarify

Meaning
to make shallow cuts or scratches; to loosen the surface of soil
Example
The farmer scarified the soil before planting seeds.
A2 adverb /ˈnaʊədeɪz/

nowadays

Meaning
At the present time; in contrast with the past.
Example
Nowadays, many people prefer shopping online.
C1 adverb /ˈkrɒswaɪz/

Crosswise

Meaning
in the form of a cross; diagonally across
Example
Place the logs crosswise to build a stable fire.
B2 noun /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/

Zigzag

Meaning
a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns; a pattern of sharp turns
Example
The road follows a zigzag pattern up the mountain.
C2 adjective /ˈspaɪnəs/

spinous

Meaning
Having spines or thorn-like projections
Example
The spinous cactus was difficult to handle without gloves.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛtrɪkəl/

metrical

Meaning
Relating to or composed in a regular rhythmic pattern of beats or meter, especially in poetry.
Example
The poet carefully followed metrical rules in his verses.
C1 phrase ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk rɛz.əˈluː.ʃən

diplomatic resolution

Meaning
A peaceful solution to conflicts through negotiation and diplomatic channels.
Example
A diplomatic resolution is necessary for peace.
C1 noun /pʌnˈdʒɑː.bi/

Punjabi

Meaning
a traditional long shirt worn in South Asia, typically loose-fitting
Example
He wore a white punjabi for the festival celebration.
A2 noun /pəˈliːsmən/

policeman

Meaning
a man whose job is to enforce the law and keep public order
Example
The policeman directed the traffic at the intersection.
A2 noun /wɜːrks/

works

Meaning
the physical or mental effort used to achieve something
Example
Her works have been exhibited in museums worldwide.
A2 adjective /dɪˈlɪʃəs/

delicious

Meaning
having a very pleasant taste or smell
Example
The cake was so delicious that everyone asked for a second slice.
C1 verb /pərˈteɪn/

pertain

Meaning
to relate or have reference to something
Example
The rules pertain to all students in the school.
C2 adjective /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/

bracing

Meaning
Invigorating, refreshing, or providing strength and energy.
Example
The hikers enjoyed the bracing mountain air.
C2 adjective /juːˈnɪsənənt/

unisonant

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

ursine

Meaning
Relating to or resembling a bear.
Example
The man’s ursine strength amazed everyone.
A2 noun /ˈkæs.əl/

Castle

Meaning
a large fortified building or set of buildings; a fortress
Example
The medieval castle stood majestically on top of the hill.
C2 adjective /ɪˈfjuːsɪv/

effusive

Meaning
Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
Example
She gave him an effusive welcome after his long journey.
C2 verb /bɪˈtroʊð/

betroth

Meaning
To formally promise to marry someone; to engage.
Example
He was betrothed to the princess at a young age.
C1 verb /rɪˈbʌt/

rebut

Meaning
to argue against or prove wrong; to refute
Example
The lawyer rebutted the false accusations with strong evidence.
B1 noun /ˈmʌðər ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

mother language

Meaning
the first language a person learns from childhood; native language
Example
Children learn best when they are taught in their mother language.
C1 noun /ˈdaʊn.pɔːr/

Downpour

Meaning
a heavy fall of rain; a sudden heavy rainfall
Example
The sudden downpour caught everyone off guard and soaked the outdoor event.
C2 noun /əˌkædəˈmɪʃən/

academician

Meaning
a member of an academy; a scholar or expert in a field of study
Example
The academicians gathered to discuss the future of education.
C2 noun /ɪˌpɪstəˈmɒlədʒi/

epistemology

Meaning
The branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and scope of knowledge.
Example
Epistemology explores the difference between justified belief and opinion.