germ
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B2 noun /dʒɜːm/

germ

Meaning
a microscopic organism, especially one that causes disease
Example
Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of germs.
A1 adverb /haʊ/

how

Meaning
in what way or manner; by what means
Example
How do you solve this problem?
C1 noun /ˈdɛspɒt/

despot

Meaning
a ruler with absolute power, often ruling in a cruel or oppressive way
Example
The despot ruled the nation with fear and violence.
C1 /ʃrɛd/

shred

Meaning
to tear or cut something into small pieces
Example
She shredded the old documents before throwing them away.
B2 noun /temp.ˈteɪ.ʃən/

Temptation

Meaning
the desire to do something wrong or unwise; an urge to have or do something
Example
He resisted the temptation to eat the entire chocolate cake.
B2 noun /ˈstiː.mər/

Steamer

Meaning
a ship or boat powered by steam engines
Example
The old steamer crossed the river slowly.
C2 noun /ˈjoʊkəl/

yokel

Meaning
An uneducated and unsophisticated person from the countryside; a bumpkin.
Example
The city folks laughed at the yokel's simple ways.
C2 noun /ˈæpəˌlɔːɡ/

apologue

Meaning
a short moral story or fable intended to teach a lesson
Example
The teacher used an old apologue to explain honesty to the children.
C1 adjective /ˈsteɪtli/

stately

Meaning
Having a dignified, majestic, and impressive appearance or manner.
Example
The stately mansion stood at the end of the long driveway.
C2 adjective /ˈbʌlbəs/

bulbous

Meaning
Bulging, round, or swollen in shape; resembling a bulb.
Example
The frog had a bulbous nose and big eyes.
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.
C1 noun /ˌdʒerənˈtɑːlədʒi/

gerontology

Meaning
The scientific study of old age and the process of aging.
Example
She chose to specialize in gerontology after completing medical school.
B1 noun /nuːn/

noon

Meaning
12 o'clock in the daytime; midday
Example
The meeting will start at noon.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.stɪdʒ/

Hostage

Meaning
a person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition; captive
Example
The police negotiated carefully to secure the release of all hostages unharmed.
C2 noun /dɪnt/

dint

Meaning
an impression or hollow made by a blow; force or power
Example
By dint of hard work, he achieved success.
C1 noun /pləˈsiːboʊ/

placebo

Meaning
a substance with no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing new drugs
Example
The patient was given a placebo to compare the effect of the real drug.
B2 noun /ˈpɑː.tər/

Potter

Meaning
a person who makes pottery
Example
The potter shaped clay on the spinning wheel.
A2 noun /ˈɡɑːr.dən.ər/

Gardener

Meaning
a person who tends and cultivates a garden
Example
The gardener planted beautiful flowers in the backyard.
C1 noun /ʃæˈtoʊ/

chateau

Meaning
a large French country house or castle
Example
They stayed in a beautiful chateau in France.
C2 verb /baɪd/

bide

Meaning
to wait patiently for the right time or opportunity
Example
He decided to bide his time before making a move.
C2 adjective /ˈlʌstrəs/

lustrous

Meaning
having a gentle sheen or soft glow
Example
Her hair looked smooth and lustrous.
C2 verb /ˌmɛtəˈmɔrfoʊz/

metamorphose

Meaning
To change in form, structure, or substance; to transform completely.
Example
The caterpillar metamorphosed into a butterfly.
C2 noun /ˈɡeɪm.stər/

gamester

Meaning
A person who plays games, especially one who plays them skillfully or professionally.
Example
The old tavern was filled with gamesters competing in cards and dice.
C2 adjective /ˈslʌvənli/

slovenly

Meaning
Untidy or careless in appearance, habits, or work.
Example
His slovenly appearance made a bad impression at the interview.
C2 noun /ˈænʒənuː/

ingenue

Meaning
an innocent, naïve young woman, especially as represented in literature or theater
Example
She played the role of the ingénue in the play with great charm.
B2 verb /ˈvɒmɪt/

vomit

Meaning
to bring up food from the stomach through the mouth; to be sick
Example
The patient began to vomit after taking the medication.
C1 adjective ˈkwɒn.tɪ.faɪ.ə.bəl

quantifiable

Meaning
Able to be expressed or measured as a quantity; capable of being counted or calculated.
Example
The impact of the project is quantifiable.
C2 verb /ɛmˈbɔs/

emboss

Meaning
to decorate a surface with a raised design or pattern
Example
The invitation card was embossed with golden letters.
B1 noun ˈdɪsɪplɪn

discipline

Meaning
The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience
Example
Discipline helps maintain focus and productivity.
B1 noun ˈbæl.ənst daɪ.ət

balanced diet

Meaning
A diet consisting of the proper quantities and proportions of foods needed to maintain health or growth.
Example
A balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health.
B1 noun /kəmˈpær.ɪ.sən/

Comparison

Meaning
the act of examining the similarities and differences between two or more things
Example
The teacher made a comparison between the two poems to show their different styles.
C1 adjective /ˈskeɪ.li/

Scaly

Meaning
covered with scales; having a rough surface like scales
Example
The fish has scaly skin.
B2 verb /rɪˈliːv/

relieve

Meaning
to make pain, distress, or difficulty less severe or serious
Example
The medicine helped relieve his headache.
A2 adjective ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl

international

Meaning
Existing, occurring, or carried on between two or more nations and their citizens.
Example
International standards improve competitiveness.
A2 verb /ˈtrævəld/

traveled

Meaning
Went from one place to another, especially over a distance.
Example
They traveled to Antarctica with a large group.
C1 verb /dɪˈfaɪl/

defile

Meaning
to pollute, corrupt, or make dirty
Example
The river was defiled by industrial waste.
C1 adverb /ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəli/

Confidentially

Meaning
in a confidential manner; secretly; privately
Example
The information was shared confidentially between the two managers.
A2 adjective /pjʊər/

Pure

Meaning
clean; clear; untainted; without discrimination;
Example
The water from the mountain spring is pure.
B2 verb /nɪt/

knit

Meaning
To make clothes or fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with needles.
Example
She loves to knit scarves for her friends during the winter.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊtʃ.mən/

Coachman

Meaning
a person who drives a horse-drawn carriage or coach
Example
The coachman skillfully guided the horses through the busy streets.
C1 verb /səbˈmɜːrdʒ/

submerge

Meaning
to put under water or cover with liquid
Example
The floodwaters threatened to submerge the village.
C1 noun /ˈsuːdənɪm/

pseudonym

Meaning
a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name
Example
Mark Twain was the pseudonym of Samuel Clemens.
C2 noun /ˈdɪfθɒŋ/

diphthong

Meaning
A complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.
Example
The word 'coin' contains a diphthong.
B2 verb /rɪˈzɛmbəl/

resemble

Meaning
to look like or be similar to something or someone
Example
She resembles her mother in both appearance and mannerisms.
B2 adjective /rɪˈzɪl.i.ənt/

resilient

Meaning
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Example
Resilient materials ensure durability.
A2 noun /teɪp/

tape

Meaning
a long, narrow strip of material, often sticky on one side, used for fastening or sticking things together
Example
I need some tape to seal this box.
B2 adjective /ˈaɪ.dəl/

Idle

Meaning
lazy; inactive; not working or being used
Example
The factory workers were idle during the strike.
C2 adjective /tʃeɪst/

Chaste

Meaning
pure and morally good; abstaining from sexual activity
Example
She lived a chaste and virtuous life.
B2 adverb /ˈpjʊərli/

purely

Meaning
only and completely; entirely
Example
The decision was purely based on economic factors.
B2 noun ˌɡloʊ.bəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

globalization

Meaning
The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
Example
Globalization has connected economies across the world.
A2 verb /blɒk/

block

Meaning
to obstruct; to prevent passage or progress
Example
The fallen tree blocks the road.
C1 adjective /ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒənt/

Negligent

Meaning
failing to take proper care; careless; showing lack of attention
Example
The negligent driver caused a serious accident.
B2 verb /ɪkˈstrækt/

extract

Meaning
to remove or take out something, often with effort
Example
The dentist had to extract the damaged tooth.
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 /ˈɪn.vɔɪs/

Invoice

Meaning
a list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these
Example
The company sent an invoice for the office supplies delivered last week.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈskjuːzəbl/

excusable

Meaning
Able to be forgiven or justified.
Example
Her mistake was excusable given the circumstances.
C2 noun /feɪnt/

feint

Meaning
a deceptive or pretended movement, especially in fighting or sports
Example
The boxer made a feint to the left before striking to the right.
A2 noun /dɪˈzæs.tər/

Disaster

Meaning
a sudden event causing great damage or loss of life; a complete failure
Example
The earthquake was a natural disaster that affected thousands of families.
B1 verb /spred/

spread

Meaning
to extend over a larger area; to distribute; to apply
Example
The news spread quickly through the town.
A2 verb; adjective /broʊk/

broke

Meaning
past tense of break; having no money or being financially poor
Example
I broke my phone last night and now I’m completely broke.
B2 noun /ˈaɪ.lɪd/

Eyelid

Meaning
either of the upper or lower folds of skin that cover the eye when closed
Example
Her eyelids felt heavy with sleep.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈbæntərɪŋ/

bantering

Meaning
characterized by good-humored teasing or joking
Example
They had a bantering conversation at the café.
A2 adjective/noun /ˈaɪrɪʃ/

irish

Meaning
relating to Ireland, its people, or its language
Example
The Irish countryside is very beautiful.
B2 noun ˈæn.ɪk.doʊt

anecdote

Meaning
A short interesting story used in speeches or writing.
Example
A well-placed anecdote makes a speech more relatable.
C1 adjective ɪnˈsaɪ.sɪv

incisive

Meaning
Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking; showing clear thought and good understanding of what is important.
Example
His incisive comments revealed the core issues.
C2 adjective /ˈtɜːrdʒɪd/

turgid

Meaning
Swollen or distended; (of language) pompous and overcomplicated.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so turgid that many students lost interest.
C1 adjective /seɪdʒ/

Sage

Meaning
wise; showing wisdom from experience; prudent; having good judgment
Example
The sage advice from the elder helped solve the problem.
C2 verb /ˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

furbish

Meaning
to polish, renovate, or give a fresh look to something
Example
The workers furbished the old sword until it gleamed like new.
B2 verb /spɪt/

spit

Meaning
to force liquid, especially saliva, out of the mouth
Example
He spat on the ground in anger.
B2 noun /dɪˈsen.dənt/

Descendant

Meaning
a person who is descended from a particular ancestor; offspring of a later generation
Example
She discovered that she was a descendant of European royalty through genealogy research.
C1 adjective /ˈweɪwərd/

wayward

Meaning
Difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior.
Example
The teacher struggled to manage the wayward students.
C2 noun ˈtræn.zi.əns

transience

Meaning
The state or fact of lasting only for a short time; impermanence.
Example
The transience of youth makes it more precious.
C1 verb ˈɛk.spɪ.daɪt

expedite

Meaning
Make an action or process happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
Example
The government took steps to expedite the approval process.
C1 noun /ˈten.jər/

Tenure

Meaning
the period of time during which someone holds an office or position
Example
During his tenure as CEO, the company expanded globally.
C1 adjective /ˈəʊnərəs/

onerous

Meaning
involving a great deal of effort, difficulty, or burden
Example
Fulfilling the contract proved to be an onerous task for the company.
C1 noun /ˈtjuːmʌlt/

tumult

Meaning
A loud, confused noise, especially caused by a crowd; commotion or disorder.
Example
The protest created a tumult in the city square.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈtɛmpərd/

untempered

Meaning
not moderated or softened; lacking proper balance or control
Example
The untempered anger of the crowd caused chaos.
C2 noun /hɜːrˈbɛəriəm/

herbarium

Meaning
A collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study.
Example
The university maintains a large herbarium for research and education.
A2 noun /stoʊn/

stone

Meaning
a hard, naturally occurring mineral material found in the earth
Example
He threw a stone into the lake.
B1 adverb /ˈprɒpərli/

properly

Meaning
in the correct or suitable manner
Example
He performed the task properly to avoid mistakes.
B2 noun /ˈæd.və.kət/

Advocate

Meaning
a lawyer who represents clients in court; a person who supports or argues for a cause or policy
Example
The advocate presented strong evidence to defend his client in court.
C2 adjective /ˈstɒlɪd/

stolid

Meaning
Calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.
Example
Despite the chaos around him, he remained stolid and composed.
B2 adjective sɪˈvɪər

severe

Meaning
Very great; intense or extreme in degree.
Example
Without action, climate change impacts will become severe.
C1 verb, noun /ˈbrɪsəl/

bristle

Meaning
to react angrily or defensively; a short stiff hair or fiber
Example
The cat bristled when it saw the dog.
C2 noun /ʃɪˈfɒn/

chiffon

Meaning
A lightweight, sheer fabric often used in dresses or scarves.
Example
She wore a beautiful chiffon dress at the party.
A1 adjective /ˈevri/

Every

Meaning
each one; all; without exception
Example
Every student must complete their homework.
A1 noun, adjective /hæf/

half

Meaning
one of two equal parts of something
Example
He ate half of the cake.
B2 adjective /ˈveɪ.kənt/

Vacant

Meaning
empty; not occupied; available
Example
There is a vacant apartment on the second floor.
C1 verb /ˈæn.ɛks/

annex

Meaning
To take control of a territory and add it to one's own.
Example
The empire annexed the neighboring kingdom after the war.
B2 verb /ɪˈlɛkt/

elect

Meaning
To choose someone for a position or office by voting.
Example
The citizens elected a new president.
B1 verb /klæp/

clap

Meaning
To strike the palms of the hands together, usually to express approval or create a sharp sound.
Example
The audience began to clap loudly after the performance.
C2 noun /əˌɡlɒməˈreɪʃən/

agglomeration

Meaning
A mass or collection of things, sometimes clustered together.
Example
The city is an agglomeration of diverse cultures and communities.
C1 noun /ˈoʊvərˌtʊr/

overture

Meaning
An introduction to something more substantial; a proposal or preliminary action.
Example
The peace overture was welcomed by both nations.
C2 noun /ˈkriːməri/

creamery

Meaning
a place where milk and cream are processed and dairy products are made
Example
The local creamery produces fresh butter and cheese daily.
B2 adjective /ˈmɪnɪməl/

minimal

Meaning
the smallest or least amount possible
Example
The damage to the car was minimal after the accident.
B2 noun /daɪˈmen.ʃənz/

dimensions

Meaning
Aspects or features of a situation, problem, or thing.
Example
New dimensions of space exploration are being uncovered.
C2 verb /kəˈnaɪv/

connive

Meaning
to secretly allow or be involved in a wrongdoing
Example
The manager connived with the supplier to cheat the company.
C1 noun /ˌpændəˈmoʊniəm/

pandemonium

Meaning
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
Example
When the concert was canceled, pandemonium broke out among the crowd.
C1 adjective /æbˈdɑː.mə.nəl/

abdominal

Meaning
relating to the abdomen (the part of the body between the chest and pelvis)
Example
He complained of severe abdominal pain.
C1 adjective /ˈraɪ.tʃəs/

Righteous

Meaning
morally right or justifiable; virtuous; having strong moral principles
Example
She felt righteous anger at the unfair treatment of workers.
B1 adjective /ˈmɑːrvələs/

marvelous

Meaning
Causing great wonder or delight; extraordinary.
Example
She gave a marvelous performance on stage.
C1 noun /ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/

demolition

Meaning
the act or process of destroying a building or structure
Example
The demolition of the old factory took several weeks.
A1 noun /pəˈliːs/

police

Meaning
a body of officers representing the civil authority of government
Example
The police arrived quickly to investigate the scene.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛr.aɪl/

sterile

Meaning
Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; incapable of producing offspring.
Example
The surgeon worked in a sterile environment to avoid infection.
B2 noun /ˈdiːmən/

demon

Meaning
an evil spirit or devil
Example
The story was about a demon who haunted the village.
B2 verb /kɜːrb/

curb

Meaning
to restrain, control, or limit something
Example
The government took steps to curb inflation.
B1 adverb /səkˈsɛsfəli/

successfully

Meaning
in a way that achieves a desired result
Example
She passed the exam successfully after weeks of studying.
C2 adjective /ˌpɛstɪˈlɛnʃəl/

pestilential

Meaning
Relating to or causing pestilence; very harmful, troublesome, or dangerous.
Example
The pestilential smell of the garbage filled the street.
A1 noun

Kind

B2 verb ɪnˈhɑːnst

enhanced

Meaning
Intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of something.
Example
Enhanced strategies improve outcomes.
C1 noun /ˌɪntəkəˈnɛktɪvɪti/

interconnectivity

Meaning
The state of being interconnected or the degree of connectivity between components
Example
The rise of interconnectivity has transformed global communication.
C2 adjective /ˈblæs.fə.məs/

blasphemous

Meaning
showing disrespect or lack of reverence for God or sacred things
Example
The book was banned for its blasphemous content.
B2 noun /ˈpeɪtrən/

patron

Meaning
a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause
Example
The library is supported by generous patrons.
C2 adjective /hɪk/

Hick

Meaning
unsophisticated person from a rural area; country bumpkin
Example
He had a hick accent from growing up in a small town.
B2 noun /sneɪl/

Snail

Meaning
a small soft creature with a shell on its back that moves very slowly
Example
The snail left a shiny trail as it crawled across the leaf.
C2 noun, adjective /ɪˈklɪptɪk/

ecliptic

Meaning
The apparent path of the sun across the sky; relating to eclipses or this path.
Example
The ecliptic is the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.
C1 noun /ˈɡæloʊz/

gallows

Meaning
A structure used for hanging criminals who have been sentenced to death.
Example
The criminal was led to the gallows at dawn.
C1 adjective /ˌiːɡoʊˈsentrɪk/

egocentric

Meaning
thinking only about yourself and not about others
Example
His egocentric behavior annoyed everyone at the meeting.
B2 adjective /ˈbruː.təl/

brutal

Meaning
extremely cruel or harsh; violent and without feeling
Example
The dictator’s rule was marked by brutal violence.
C1 noun /ˈʌndərˌteɪkər/

undertaker

Meaning
A person whose job is to prepare the dead for burial and arrange funerals.
Example
The undertaker prepared the body for the funeral service.
B2 noun ˈɡloʊbəl ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz

global initiatives

Meaning
Worldwide efforts or programs aimed at addressing global challenges or achieving common goals.
Example
Global initiatives inspire better waste management practices.