flounder
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C1 verb /ˈflaʊndər/

flounder

Meaning
To struggle or stagger clumsily; to experience difficulty or confusion.
Example
He floundered in the interview when asked difficult questions.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌbɛərz/

forebears

Meaning
Ancestors or people in previous generations from whom one is descended.
Example
We must honor the traditions of our forebears.
B2 verb /feɪnt/

faint

Meaning
to lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain
Example
He felt dizzy and fainted in the heat.
B2 noun /ˈfæbrɪk/

fabric

Meaning
Cloth or material produced by weaving or knitting fibers.
Example
The tailor used silk fabric to make the dress.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːr.teɪ/ or /fɔːrt/

forte

Meaning
a strong ability or talent; something one does particularly well
Example
Cooking is definitely her forte.
B2 verb /fʊlˈfɪl/

fulfil

Meaning
to complete or achieve something that was expected or promised; to satisfy a requirement or desire
Example
She worked hard to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.
C2 noun /ˈfɜːrðərəns/

furtherance

Meaning
The advancement or promotion of something.
Example
The new policy was introduced in furtherance of social justice.
C2 verb /ˈflædʒəˌleɪt/

flagellate

Meaning
to whip or flog someone, either literally or as a form of punishment or self-discipline
Example
In history, some monks would flagellate themselves as penance.
B1 adjective /ˈfluː.ənt/

Fluent

Meaning
able to speak a language easily and accurately; flowing smoothly and gracefully
Example
She is fluent in three languages including English and French.
C2 adjective /ˈfɔːnɪŋ/

fawning

Meaning
displaying exaggerated flattery or affection
Example
Her fawning compliments made everyone uncomfortable.
C1 noun/verb /freɪ/

fray

Meaning
As a noun, a fight or heated dispute; as a verb, to unravel or wear out through friction.
Example
He tried to stay calm, but his nerves began to fray during the argument.
C1 noun /frɪˈvɒləti/

frivolity

Meaning
Lack of seriousness; silly or trivial behavior.
Example
The teacher discouraged frivolity during the exam.
B1 noun /ˈfɔːr.tʃən/

Fortune

Meaning
chance or luck as an external, arbitrary force affecting human affairs; a large amount of money or assets
Example
He made his fortune by investing wisely in technology companies.
B2 verb, adjective /ˈfɒstər/

foster

Meaning
to encourage the development of something; to raise a child that is not one's own
Example
The program aims to foster creativity in young students.
C2 verb /fɪˈneɪɡəl/

finagle

Meaning
to obtain something by cleverness or trickery
Example
He finagled a free ticket by pretending to be a VIP guest.
C1 noun /ˈflæn.əl/

Flannel

Meaning
a soft woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton and slightly milled and raised
Example
He wore a warm flannel shirt in winter.
B2 verb /flɜːrt/

flirt

Meaning
to behave as if you are attracted to someone, but not in a serious way
Example
She often flirts with her colleagues at work.
C2 verb /ˈfʌdəl/

fuddle

Meaning
To confuse or stupefy, especially with alcohol or overwhelming information.
Example
The complicated instructions fuddled the new employees.
C1 adjective /ˈfruː.ɡəl/

Frugal

Meaning
economical; thrifty;
Example
She is very frugal and saves money by buying only necessary items.
B2 adjective /ˈfɛdərəl/

federal

Meaning
Relating to the central government of a federation.
Example
The federal government passed a new law on healthcare.
B1 noun /feɪm/

Fame

Meaning
the condition of being known or talked about by many people
Example
The young actor achieved international fame with his latest movie.
C1 noun /ˈfaɪərɑːm/

firearm

Meaning
a weapon capable of firing a projectile using gunpowder or other propellant
Example
The police found a hidden firearm during the investigation.
A1 verb /fɔːl/

fall

Meaning
to drop down from a higher place; to decrease; to happen or occur
Example
The leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
A2 adjective /fɪfθ/

fifth

Meaning
constituting number five in a sequence
Example
She lives on the fifth floor of the building.
C1 noun /ˈfræk.tʃər/

Fracture

Meaning
the cracking or breaking of a hard object or material; a break in a bone
Example
The doctor confirmed that he had a hairline fracture in his wrist.
B1 noun /fiː/

fee

Meaning
A payment made for a service or privilege.
Example
The lawyer charged a high fee for his services.
C1 verb /ˈfʌmbəl/

fumble

Meaning
to handle something clumsily or to make mistakes while doing something
Example
He fumbled with the keys and dropped them on the floor.
C1 adjective /ˈflʌstərd/

flustered

Meaning
in a state of confusion or agitation
Example
She appeared flustered after being asked so many questions.
C1 noun /ˌfɜːrmənˈteɪʃən/

fermentation

Meaning
a chemical process by which substances like sugar are converted into alcohol or acids using microorganisms
Example
The fermentation of grapes produces wine.
C1 noun /ˈfæm.ɪn/

Famine

Meaning
extreme scarcity of food; a period when food is extremely scarce
Example
The severe drought led to widespread famine in the region.
C1 adjective ˈflʌd proʊn

flood-prone

Meaning
Susceptible to flooding; likely to experience floods frequently.
Example
Bangladesh is a flood-prone deltaic nation.
B2 noun /ˈfjʊr.i/

Fury

Meaning
wild or violent anger; extreme intensity of emotion or activity
Example
His fury was evident when he discovered someone had stolen his bicycle.
B2 verb /feɪd/

fade

Meaning
To gradually lose brightness, color, or strength.
Example
The colors of the old photo have started to fade.
B1 noun /ˈfæn.si/

Fancy

Meaning
a feeling of liking or wanting something; imagination or fantasy
Example
The child had a fancy for becoming a famous astronaut when he grew up.
C1 noun /ˈfæk.ʃən/

Faction

Meaning
a small organized dissenting group within a larger one
Example
Different factions within the party disagreed about the new policy.
A1 adjective/noun /fɔːrθ/

fourth

Meaning
Constituting number four in a sequence; coming after the third in position.
Example
He finished in fourth place in the race.
C1 noun/adjective /fɔːrˈboʊdɪŋ/

foreboding

Meaning
A feeling that something bad will happen; ominous.
Example
She felt a deep sense of foreboding as she entered the abandoned house.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪə.ri/

Fiery

Meaning
burning; passionate; hot-tempered; showing strong emotion
Example
She has a fiery temper that flares up quickly.
C2 adjective /ˈfraʊzi/

frowzy

Meaning
Unkempt, messy, or having a musty, unpleasant smell.
Example
He entered the room with a frowzy appearance after sleeping on the couch.
A2 noun /ˈfaɪəˌwɜːk/

firework

Meaning
a device that explodes or creates a display of lights and sounds, often used in celebrations
Example
The fireworks lit up the sky during the New Year's Eve celebration.
B2 noun /fɪɡ/

Fig

Meaning
a soft sweet fruit that is purple or green on the outside and has many small seeds
Example
The fig tree in our backyard produces delicious fruits every summer.
A2 adjective /fəˈmɪl.jər/

Familiar

Meaning
well-known; easily recognized; having knowledge of; informal and friendly
Example
This song sounds familiar to me.
B2 noun /fɜːr/

Fur

Meaning
thick hair covering the body of animals
Example
The cat's fur was soft and warm to touch.
B2 verb /ˈflʌrɪʃ/

flourish

Meaning
To grow or develop in a healthy or successful way.
Example
Her business began to flourish after she introduced online sales.
C1 noun /fəˈrɒs.ə.ti/

ferocity

Meaning
The state or quality of being ferocious; extreme fierceness or violence.
Example
The storm's ferocity was devastating.
C1 adjective /ˈfɔːrmətɪv/

formative

Meaning
Having a lasting influence on a person's development or character.
Example
Childhood is often described as a formative stage in life.
B1 adjective /ˈfɔːrmər/

former

Meaning
Having been previously in a particular role or position.
Example
He is a former president of the association.
A1 noun /fʌn/

fun

Meaning
enjoyment, amusement, or light-hearted pleasure
Example
We had a lot of fun at the party.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːr.tɪ.tjuːd/

fortitude

Meaning
Courage in pain or adversity; mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty.
Example
She faced adversity with great fortitude.
B2 noun /ˈfrɪkʃən/

friction

Meaning
the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another; conflict or tension between people or groups
Example
There was friction between the two departments over resource allocation.
A1 noun /frɛnd/

friend

Meaning
a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
Example
He is my best friend.
B1 verb /ˈfraɪtən/

frighten

Meaning
to cause fear or alarm in someone
Example
The loud noise frightened the child.
B2 verb /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/

furnish

Meaning
to provide or supply with furniture or equipment
Example
They furnished the new house with modern furniture.
C1 noun /fɔːrˈmæl.ə.ti/

Formality

Meaning
the rigid observance of rules of convention or etiquette; a thing done simply to comply with requirements
Example
The signing of the contract was just a formality; the deal was already agreed upon.
A2 adjective /ˈfaɪ.nəl/

Final

Meaning
last; concluding; decisive; ultimate
Example
This is the final exam of the semester.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈtɛl/

foretell

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

filch

Meaning
to steal something in a sneaky or petty way
Example
He tried to filch a candy bar from the shop.
C1 adjective /ˈfjuː.dəl/

feudal

Meaning
relating to the system of feudalism, a medieval social system based on land ownership and obligations
Example
The castle is a remnant of the feudal era.
B2 verb /flɪp/

flip

Meaning
to turn over quickly or suddenly; to toss lightly
Example
She flipped the pancake in the pan.
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.
B2 adjective /ˌfjuːtʃəˈrɪstɪk/

futuristic

Meaning
Having or involving very modern technology or design that is advanced beyond what is currently available
Example
Futuristic technologies are transforming industries worldwide.
C1 adjective /ˈflæɡɪŋ/

flagging

Meaning
becoming tired, weaker, or less enthusiastic
Example
After hours of work, his energy was flagging.
C1 adjective/noun /fəˈrɛns.ɪk/

forensic

Meaning
Scientific analysis applied to criminal or legal matters
Example
Forensic experts analyze cybercrimes using advanced tools.
C1 noun/verb /ˈfʌrəʊ/

furrow

Meaning
A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow; to make wrinkles or grooves.
Example
The farmer plowed furrows in the field.
B2 noun ˈfeɪs tə ˈfeɪs ˈbætl

face-to-face battle

Meaning
A direct confrontation or fight between opposing forces.
Example
The warriors fought a face-to-face battle with the enemies.
B2 noun /ˈfɪks.tʃər/

fixture

Meaning
a permanent or fixed object, often in a house or building
Example
The bathroom fixture was installed yesterday.
B2 noun /ˈfɔːrmjələ/

formula

Meaning
a fixed method for doing something; a mathematical or chemical rule expressed in symbols
Example
The scientist discovered a new formula for the medicine.
C2 adjective /ˈfædɪʃ/

faddish

Meaning
Following a temporary trend or fashion
Example
Wearing neon clothes was a faddish style in the 1980s.
C1 noun /ˈfɛləni/

felony

Meaning
a serious crime, usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year
Example
He was convicted of a felony and sentenced to ten years in prison.
C1 adjective /fɪkˈtɪʃəs/

fictitious

Meaning
not real or true; imaginary or fabricated
Example
The story he told was entirely fictitious.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪɡərətɪv/

figurative

Meaning
not literal; using figures of speech or symbolic representation
Example
She used figurative language to describe her feelings.
B2 adjective /fræŋk/

Frank

Meaning
honest; open; straightforward; candid
Example
She gave me a frank opinion about my presentation.
B2 noun /ˌfæs.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Fascination

Meaning
the power to fascinate someone; the state of being intensely interested
Example
Her fascination with ancient history led her to become an archaeologist.
A1 noun /faɪər/

Fire

Meaning
combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air
Example
The fire in the fireplace provided warmth and a cozy atmosphere.
A2 noun /ˈfer.i.teɪl/

Fairy-tale

Meaning
a children's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands
Example
Children love listening to fairy-tales before bedtime.
C2 verb /feɪz/

faze

Meaning
to disturb or disconcert someone; to cause to feel unsettled
Example
She was not fazed by the unexpected question.
C1 adjective /ˈfruːt.ləs/

Fruitless

Meaning
unsuccessful; futile; pointless;
Example
After hours of searching, their efforts proved fruitless.
C1 noun /ˈfɪʃˌmʌŋ.ɡər/

fishmonger

Meaning
a person or store that sells fish
Example
I bought fresh salmon from the local fishmonger.
A1 noun /faɪv/

five

Meaning
The number 5; one more than four and one less than six.
Example
She bought five apples from the market.
A2 adverb /ˈfaɪ.nəl.i/

Finally

Meaning
at last; after a long time; in the end; as the last point
Example
After years of hard work, she finally achieved her goal.
B2 adjective /fɔːrˈsiːəbl/

foreseeable

Meaning
Able to be predicted or expected in advance
Example
The company is unlikely to make changes in the foreseeable future.
C2 adjective /ˈfrəʊərd/

froward

Meaning
Difficult to deal with; contrary and disobedient.
Example
The teacher found the froward child hard to manage.
C2 adjective /ˈfiːbraɪl/

febrile

Meaning
having or showing the symptoms of a fever; or highly excitable or agitated
Example
The patient was in a febrile state with high temperature.
B2 adverb /ˈfræŋkli/

Frankly

Meaning
honestly; openly; in a direct manner
Example
Frankly, I think this plan needs more consideration.
C1 adjective /freɪl/

frail

Meaning
Physically weak and delicate.
Example
The old man was too frail to walk without help.
C2 noun /fləˈtɪlə/

flotilla

Meaning
A small fleet of ships or boats operating together.
Example
A flotilla of fishing boats left the harbor at dawn.
C2 noun /fiːf/

fief

Meaning
an estate of land held under the feudal system; a domain or area of control
Example
The knight was granted a fief by the lord for his service.
B2 noun /fiːst/

Feast

Meaning
a large meal, typically one in celebration of something; an annual religious celebration
Example
The wedding feast included traditional dishes from both families' cultures.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.li.oʊ/

folio

Meaning
A sheet of paper folded once to form two leaves (four pages) of a book; also a term for a large book or manuscript.
Example
The library houses an ancient Shakespeare folio.
A2 noun /ˈfɑː.mɪŋ/

farming

Meaning
the activity or business of growing crops and raising animals for food or other products
Example
Farming requires both hard work and knowledge about the land.
C2 verb /fɔːrˈfɛnd/

forfend

Meaning
to protect or defend against something undesirable; to prevent
Example
May good fortune forfend any danger from our journey.
C1 noun /fəˈsɑːd/

facade

Meaning
The front of a building; a false or superficial appearance
Example
The building's glass facade reflected the sunset.
B1 verb /fəʊld/

fold

Meaning
to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part covers another
Example
She folded the letter neatly before placing it in the envelope.
A1 verb /flaɪ/

fly

Meaning
to move through the air using wings or in an aircraft
Example
Birds fly south for the winter.
C2 verb /ˈfɒn.dəl/

fondle

Meaning
To stroke or caress lovingly or gently.
Example
She fondled the kitten gently in her lap.
A2 adjective /fɪt/

Fit

Meaning
suitable; appropriate; healthy; in good physical condition; ready
Example
He is fit and healthy.
B1 noun /fɔːlt/

Fault

Meaning
an unattractive or unsatisfactory feature; responsibility for an accident or misfortune
Example
The accident was caused by a fault in the car's braking system.
A2 noun /fækt/

fact

Meaning
A thing that is known or proved to be true
Example
It is a fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.
B2 adverb /ˈfɔːrmərli/

Formerly

Meaning
in the past; previously; at an earlier time
Example
The building was formerly a school but is now a community center.
C1 verb /ˈfɔːrfɪt/

forfeit

Meaning
to lose or give up something, usually as a penalty for wrongdoing
Example
He had to forfeit the match after breaking the rules.
C1 noun /ˌfɪɡjʊˈriːn/

figurine

Meaning
a small ornamental statue or model of a human or animal
Example
She bought a porcelain figurine of a dancing ballerina.
C2 verb /ˌfɔːrɔːrˈdeɪn/

foreordain

Meaning
to determine or decree something in advance; to predestine
Example
Some believe that our lives are foreordained by fate.
C2 verb /ˈfɛtər/

fetter

Meaning
to restrain or restrict someone’s freedom
Example
The strict rules fettered the creativity of the students.
C2 adjective /fəˈlɪsɪtəs/

felicitous

Meaning
well-chosen, appropriate, or pleasing; marked by good fortune or happiness
Example
She made a felicitous remark that lightened the mood.
A1 verb /faɪnd/

find

Meaning
to discover or locate something that was lost or hidden
Example
I can't find my keys anywhere.
C1 adjective /ˈfræɡməntɪd/

fragmented

Meaning
Having been broken into fragments; disjointed or incomplete.
Example
The information was fragmented and difficult to understand.
B2 adjective /ˌfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/

forthcoming

Meaning
about to happen soon; willing to share information
Example
The company announced its forthcoming product launch.
B1 adjective /ˈfɒɡi/

foggy

Meaning
Full of or covered with fog; unclear or hazy.
Example
The mountain road was dangerous on the foggy morning.
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.
A1 noun ˈfjuː.tʃər

future

Meaning
The time or a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing; time regarded as still to come.
Example
Future projects depend on strategic planning.
B2 noun ˈflæʃkɑːrdz

flashcards

Meaning
Cards containing small amounts of information, held up for students to see, as an aid to learning.
Example
Flashcards help in quick memorization.
C1 noun /ˈflɔː.rə/

flora

Meaning
The plant life found in a particular region or habitat.
Example
The Amazon rainforest is home to a vast flora diversity.
A2 adjective, noun /ˈfeɪvərɪt/

favorite

Meaning
Preferred over all others; something or someone especially liked.
Example
Chocolate is my favorite ice cream flavor.
B2 noun /fɛər/

fare

Meaning
the money paid for a journey on public transport; also food or treatment provided
Example
The bus fare to the city center is five dollars.
C1 adjective /ˌfʊl ˈbɒd.id/

full-bodied

Meaning
Having a strong, rich, and robust quality, especially of wine, coffee, or voice.
Example
He prefers a full-bodied red wine with his dinner.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪ.naɪt/

Finite

Meaning
limited; having bounds or limits; not infinite
Example
Earth has finite natural resources.
A2 verb /fɪl/

fill

Meaning
to make or become full; to put something into a container until it is full
Example
Please fill the glass with water.
C2 adjective /ˈfɪnɪki/

finicky

Meaning
difficult to please; very particular about details
Example
He is so finicky about his food that he only eats organic vegetables.
C2 noun /ˌfrɪdʒɪˈdɛːriəm/

frigidarium

Meaning
a large cold pool in ancient Roman baths used for cooling off after hot baths
Example
The ruins of the Roman frigidarium are still visible today.
A1 noun /flɔːr/

floor

Meaning
the lower surface of a room, on which one may walk
Example
The floor was covered with a soft carpet.
A1 verb /ˈfɪnɪʃ/

finish

Meaning
to complete or bring to an end; to reach the final point
Example
She finished her homework before dinner.