fortification
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C1 noun ˌfɔːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn

fortification

Meaning
A defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack.
Example
The fortifications protected the city.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪɡərətɪv/

figurative

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

frail

Meaning
Physically weak and delicate.
Example
The old man was too frail to walk without help.
C1 adjective /ˈfɜːrtɪv/

furtive

Meaning
Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble.
Example
He cast a furtive glance at the door before leaving.
C1 adjective /ˈflæɡɪŋ/

flagging

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

fledgling

Meaning
New, inexperienced, newly established.
Example
The fledgling startup needs investment.
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.
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 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 adjective, adverb (informal, vulgar) /ˈfʌkɪŋ/

fucking

Meaning
used for emphasis, often expressing anger or frustration (vulgar slang)
Example
It was a fucking disaster!
C1 noun /ˈfɪɡjərˌhɛd/

figurehead

Meaning
a nominal leader with no real power; a symbolic head
Example
The king was merely a figurehead with no real authority.
C1 noun /frɪˈvɒləti/

frivolity

Meaning
Lack of seriousness; silly or trivial behavior.
Example
The teacher discouraged frivolity during the exam.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈflʌstərd/

flustered

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

flamboyant

Meaning
showy, strikingly bold or colorful; confident and lively
Example
His flamboyant style drew everyone's attention at the party.
C1 noun /fəˈsɑːd/

facade

Meaning
The front of a building; a false or superficial appearance
Example
The building's glass facade reflected the sunset.
C1 noun ˌflʌk.tʃuˈeɪ.ʃən

fluctuation

Meaning
An irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation.
Example
The stock market experiences frequent fluctuation.
C1 noun /fɑːrs/

farce

Meaning
a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay, or a ridiculous situation
Example
The meeting turned into a complete farce with everyone arguing.
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 /fɪkˈtɪʃəs/

fictitious

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

Fixedly

Meaning
in a steady, unmoving manner; with intense concentration
Example
He stared fixedly at the painting.
C1 noun flɛər

flair

Meaning
A natural ability to do something well.
Example
She has a flair for design, always creating visually stunning work.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌbɛər/

forebear

Meaning
An ancestor, especially one who lived a long time ago.
Example
He often speaks of his forebears with great respect.
C1 adjective /ˈfræɡməntɪd/

fragmented

Meaning
Having been broken into fragments; disjointed or incomplete.
Example
The information was fragmented and difficult to understand.
C1 noun/verb /fliːs/

fleece

Meaning
The woolly covering of a sheep; as a verb, to swindle or cheat someone.
Example
The farmer sheared the sheep’s fleece carefully.
C1 noun ˈfɜːr.vɚ

fervor

Meaning
Strong passion or enthusiasm for something.
Example
He spoke with great fervor about his vision for the company.
C1 noun/verb ˈfɒr.ɪdʒ

forage

Meaning
Food for horses and cattle, especially dried hay or feed; to search for food.
Example
Animals forage for food during the winter months.
C1 noun /ˈfjʊərɔːr/

furor

Meaning
An outbreak of public anger or excitement.
Example
The politician's remarks created a furor in the media.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈtɛl/

foretell

Meaning
to predict or announce something before it happens
Example
The old man claimed he could foretell the future.
C1 adjective /ˈflæʃi/

flashy

Meaning
ostentatious or showy in a way that attracts attention
Example
He drove a flashy sports car through the city streets.
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.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌrʌnər/

forerunner

Meaning
A person or thing that comes before another; a predecessor or harbinger.
Example
The Wright brothers were the forerunners of modern aviation.
C1 verb /ˈflʌtər/

flutter

Meaning
to move or flap quickly and lightly; to beat or wave with small rapid motions
Example
The butterfly began to flutter its wings in the sunlight.
C1 noun /fiːt/

feat

Meaning
an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength
Example
Climbing Mount Everest was a remarkable feat.
C1 verb /ˈfɛdərət/

federate

Meaning
to unite in a league or federation; to form an alliance
Example
Several states federated to create a stronger union.
C1 noun /fɪkˈseɪ.ʃən/

fixation

Meaning
An obsessive interest in or feeling about someone or something.
Example
His fixation on perfectionism delayed project completion.
C1 noun /ˈfiːtəs/

fetus

Meaning
an unborn or unhatched offspring in the womb or egg
Example
The doctor explained the development of the fetus during pregnancy.
C1 noun /ˈfjuː.tʃə.rɪst/

futurist

Meaning
A person who studies or predicts the future, especially trends in science, technology, or society.
Example
The futurist predicted major changes in transportation within the next decade.
C1 verb /fɔrˈstɔl/

forestall

Meaning
to prevent by acting in advance; to anticipate and counter
Example
They forestalled the crisis by taking immediate action.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrmən/

foreman

Meaning
a person in charge of a group of workers, especially in a factory or construction site
Example
The foreman supervised the workers on the construction site.
C1 verb/noun ˈfæð.əm

fathom

Meaning
To understand after much thought; to measure the depth of water; to comprehend.
Example
It is difficult to fathom the depths of the ocean.
C1 noun /fruˈɪʃən/

fruition

Meaning
The realization or fulfillment of a plan, project, or desire.
Example
Her dream of becoming a doctor finally came to fruition.
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 noun /ˈfɒdər/

fodder

Meaning
food for livestock such as cattle, horses, or sheep; also something considered of little value but used to supply a demand
Example
The farmer stored enough fodder for the cattle to last through winter.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌθɔːt/

forethought

Meaning
careful consideration of what will be necessary or may happen in the future
Example
With a little forethought, we could have avoided the problem.
C1 adjective /fəˈroʊ.ʃəs/

Ferocious

Meaning
savagely fierce, cruel, or violent; extremely aggressive
Example
The ferocious storm destroyed many houses in the coastal area.
C1 noun /faɪˈnælɪti/

finality

Meaning
the quality of being final or irreversible; a sense of conclusiveness
Example
The judge's decision gave the case a sense of finality.
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.
C1 verb /ˈflɪk.ər/

flicker

Meaning
to shine unsteadily or waver between light and dark
Example
The candle flickered in the wind.
C1 adjective /frəˈnɛtɪk/

frenetic

Meaning
Fast and energetic in a wild or uncontrolled way.
Example
The stock market experienced frenetic trading after the announcement.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪk.əl/

Fickle

Meaning
changeable; inconstant; liable to sudden unpredictable change
Example
His fickle nature made it hard to trust his promises.
C1 noun /foʊ/

foe

Meaning
an enemy or opponent
Example
The knight fought bravely against his foe.
C1 noun ˈflɔː.rə ænd ˈfɔː.nə

flora and fauna

Meaning
The plants and animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
Example
The Galápagos Islands have unique flora and fauna.
C1 noun /ˈfɛlən/

felon

Meaning
a person who has committed a serious crime
Example
The felon was sentenced to ten years in prison.
C1 adjective /fəˈnætɪkəl/

fanatical

Meaning
showing extreme enthusiasm or obsession
Example
She has a fanatical interest in collecting vintage stamps.
C1 verb /ˈfɜːrmɛnt/

ferment

Meaning
to undergo a chemical process where sugars are converted to alcohol or acid; to incite or stir up change
Example
The grapes are left to ferment for several weeks.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪə.ri/

Fiery

Meaning
burning; passionate; hot-tempered; showing strong emotion
Example
She has a fiery temper that flares up quickly.
C1 verb /feɪn/

feign

Meaning
to pretend or fake; to give a false appearance of
Example
She feigned illness to avoid going to work.
C1 noun fɔːlt ˈtɒl.ər.əns

fault-tolerance

Meaning
The ability of a system to continue operating properly in the event of the failure of some of its components.
Example
Fault-tolerance ensures dependable systems.
C1 noun /ˈfɛtɪʃ/

fetish

Meaning
an excessive or irrational devotion to something
Example
He has a fetish for collecting rare stamps.
C1 noun /ˈfjuː.dʒə.tɪv/

Fugitive

Meaning
a person who has escaped from a place or is in hiding, especially to avoid arrest
Example
The police launched a manhunt to capture the fugitive who escaped from prison.
C1 noun /ˈfʌŋɡəs/

fungus

Meaning
a spore-producing organism feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, and mushrooms
Example
A strange fungus was growing on the old tree.
C1 noun (plural of fungus) /ˈfʌndʒaɪ/

fungi

Meaning
a group of spore-producing organisms such as mushrooms, molds, and yeasts
Example
Fungi play an important role in breaking down organic matter in nature.
C1 adjective /ˈfrɔːdjʊlənt/

fraudulent

Meaning
Involving or using deceit, especially criminal deception.
Example
He was arrested for making fraudulent insurance claims.
C1 adjective /ˈfruːt.ləs/

Fruitless

Meaning
unsuccessful; futile; pointless;
Example
After hours of searching, their efforts proved fruitless.
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.
C1 noun fluˈɪd.ɪ.ti

fluidity

Meaning
The ability of a substance to flow easily; smooth and graceful movement or style.
Example
The fluidity of the dancer's movements was mesmerizing.
C1 noun /ˈfjuː.də.lɪ.zəm/

feudalism

Meaning
the social system in medieval Europe in which people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and land in return
Example
Feudalism shaped the political structure of medieval Europe.
C1 verb /ˈfɔːltər/

falter

Meaning
to hesitate or lose strength or momentum
Example
Her voice faltered as she delivered the speech.
C1 adjective /ˈfuːlpruːf/

foolproof

Meaning
Designed to be very easy to use or understand, leaving no possibility of failure or error.
Example
The new software has a foolproof installation process.
C1 adjective /ˈfɛrəl/

feral

Meaning
existing in a wild or untamed state; not domesticated
Example
The feral cat roamed the streets at night.
C1 adjective /ˈfiːbl/

feeble

Meaning
lacking physical strength or vigor; weak
Example
After the illness, she felt too feeble to stand.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈfæn.sɪ.fəl/

fanciful

Meaning
overimaginative, unrealistic, or whimsical
Example
The story was too fanciful to be true.
C1 adjective /ˈfeɪl.seɪf/

fail-safe

Meaning
designed to prevent failure or accidents; guaranteed to work correctly
Example
The engineers installed a fail-safe mechanism in the nuclear plant.
C1 noun /ˈfren.zi/

Frenzy

Meaning
a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior; intense activity
Example
The announcement of the sale created a shopping frenzy at the mall.
C1 noun /ˈfɛərˌɡraʊndz/

fairgrounds

Meaning
A designated area where fairs, exhibitions, and amusement events are held
Example
The town set up rides and stalls at the fairgrounds for the annual festival.
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.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfrænʧaɪz/

franchise

Meaning
A legal right to sell or distribute goods or services in a specific area; to grant such a right.
Example
He opened a new fast-food franchise in the city.
C1 verb ˈflʌk.tʃu.eɪt

fluctuate

Meaning
To regularly increase or decrease.
Example
Stock prices fluctuate due to market conditions.
C1 noun, verb /fɔːrd/

ford

Meaning
A shallow place in a river where one can cross; to cross a river at such a place.
Example
The travelers decided to ford the river at dawn.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːreɪ/

foray

Meaning
A sudden short attack or attempt, especially into new activity or territory.
Example
The company made its first foray into the international market.
C1 adjective ˈflʌd proʊn

flood-prone

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

fancier

Meaning
a person who has a special interest in a particular thing or activity, especially animals or hobbies
Example
He is a fancier of rare birds.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪ.naɪt/

Finite

Meaning
limited; having bounds or limits; not infinite
Example
Earth has finite natural resources.
C1 verb /fret/

fret

Meaning
to worry or be anxious; to be troubled
Example
Don't fret about the exam results.
C1 verb, noun /ˈflʌstər/

fluster

Meaning
to make someone agitated or confused
Example
The unexpected question flustered him.
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 /frəˈdʒɪl.ɪ.ti/

fragility

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

foursome

Meaning
a group of four people or things, especially in games or social activities
Example
The foursome enjoyed a game of golf together.
C1 adjective /ˈfiːlaɪn/

feline

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of cats
Example
Her movements were graceful and almost feline in their elegance.
C1 noun /ˈfʊtˌnoʊt/

foot-note

Meaning
A note of reference, explanation, or comment placed at the bottom of a page.
Example
The author included a foot-note to explain the historical context.
C1 noun /ˈfeɪvərɪtɪzəm/

favoritism

Meaning
the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group
Example
The manager was accused of favoritism towards certain employees.
C1 adjective ˈfjuː.taɪl

futile

Meaning
Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
Example
His attempts to change the situation were futile.
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 /ˈfoʊk.lɔːr/

folk-lore

Meaning
The traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices of a community, passed down through generations.
Example
Bangladeshi folk-lore is rich with myths and legends.
C1 verb /flaʊt/

flout

Meaning
To openly disregard or show contempt for a rule or law.
Example
The company was fined for flouting environmental regulations.
C1 adverb /ˈfɜː.vənt.li/

Fervently

Meaning
with passionate intensity; ardently; with great emotion or enthusiasm
Example
She fervently hoped that her dreams would come true.
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.
C1 noun /fɪˈnɑːleɪ/

finale

Meaning
the last part or conclusion of a performance, event, or series
Example
The concert ended with a spectacular finale.
C1 noun /fəˈnætɪsɪzəm/

fanaticism

Meaning
the quality of being fanatical; extreme zeal or obsession
Example
Religious fanaticism can lead to intolerance and conflict.
C1 noun /ˈfɪʃˌmʌŋ.ɡər/

fishmonger

Meaning
a person or store that sells fish
Example
I bought fresh salmon from the local fishmonger.
C1 noun /ˈflæt.ər.i/

Flattery

Meaning
excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one's own interests
Example
His constant flattery made everyone suspicious of his true motives.
C1 noun /fæd/

fad

Meaning
a temporary fashion or trend; a short-lived craze
Example
The new diet became a popular fad among teenagers.
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 /ˈfen.jʊ.griːk/

Fenugreek

Meaning
an herb whose seeds and leaves are used as a spice in cooking
Example
Fenugreek seeds have a slightly bitter taste and are commonly used in Indian cuisine.
C1 adjective /fərˈlɔːrn/

forlorn

Meaning
extremely sad, lonely, or abandoned
Example
The abandoned puppy looked so forlorn in the rain.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/

forego

Meaning
to decide not to do or have something pleasant or valuable
Example
She decided to forego dessert to maintain her diet.
C1 adjective /ˈfliː.tɪŋ/

fleeting

Meaning
Lasting for a very short time; passing quickly.
Example
Happiness can be fleeting, so cherish every moment.
C1 verb /ˈfɔːlsɪfaɪ/

falsify

Meaning
to make something false or to misrepresent
Example
He tried to falsify the documents to avoid taxes.
C1 verb /fɔːˈbɛər/

forbear

Meaning
To refrain from doing something; to show patience or self-control.
Example
She forbore from commenting on his mistake.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈkloʊz/

foreclose

Meaning
to take possession of a property due to the owner's failure to keep up mortgage payments
Example
The bank decided to foreclose on the property after months of missed payments.
C1 adjective /ˈfænsiːd/

fancied

Meaning
imagined, desired, or believed without evidence
Example
He is a fancied suitor in the eyes of the young lady.
C1 adjective /ˈfɑːð.ər.ləs/

fatherless

Meaning
without a father
Example
The fatherless child relied on the support of his community.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈfiːzəbl/

feasible

Meaning
possible to do easily or conveniently; practical and workable
Example
It is feasible to complete the project within two months.
C1 noun /fruːˈɡæl.ə.ti/

frugality

Meaning
The quality of being economical in use or expenditure; not wasteful.
Example
Frugality is essential for saving money effectively.
C1 noun /ˈfaɪər.wɔːl/

firewall

Meaning
A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Example
A firewall protects networks from cyber-attacks.