gratuitous
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C1 adjective /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/

gratuitous

Meaning
Unnecessary, unwarranted, or given freely without reason or cause.
Example
The movie was criticized for its gratuitous violence.
B2 noun /treɪt/

Trait

Meaning
a distinguishing quality or characteristic of a person; an inherited feature
Example
Patience is an important trait for anyone working with children.
B2 noun kənˌtæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən

contamination

Meaning
The process of making something less pure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.
Example
Contamination of air leads to health issues.
C1 noun, adjective, verb /səˈbɔːrdənət/ (noun/adjective), /səˈbɔːrdəˌneɪt/ (verb)

subordinate

Meaning
lower in rank or position; to treat as less important
Example
He manages ten subordinates in his department.
B2 adjective /ˌmænˈmeɪd/

manmade

Meaning
something created or built by humans rather than occurring naturally
Example
This lake is manmade, not natural.
C2 noun /ɔːˈreɪʃən/

oration

Meaning
A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion
Example
The president delivered an inspiring oration.
B1 noun /prəˈməʊ.ʃən/

Promotion

Meaning
the act of raising someone to a higher position; advertising to increase sales
Example
She received a promotion to manager after five years of hard work.
B2 adjective /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

deserted

Meaning
Empty of people; abandoned.
Example
The village looked completely deserted after the storm.
C2 verb /fɪˈlɪsɪˌteɪt/

felicitate

Meaning
to congratulate; to express good wishes
Example
We felicitated the graduating students at the ceremony.
A2 verb /bɪˈlɒŋ/

belong

Meaning
to be in the right place or to be a member of a group
Example
She felt she truly belonged to the team.
C1 noun /ˌɪnkwɪˈzɪʃən/

inquisition

Meaning
A prolonged and intense questioning or investigation, often harsh in nature.
Example
The journalist faced an inquisition from the panel about his sources.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪləbl̩/

reconcilable

Meaning
Capable of being resolved or made consistent.
Example
Their differences are reconcilable with honest communication.
A2 adverb /ˌdaʊnˈsteəz/

Downstairs

Meaning
on or to a lower floor of a building
Example
Please go downstairs and wait in the lobby.
C2 noun /dɪˈbɛntʃər/

debenture

Meaning
a type of debt instrument not secured by physical assets or collateral
Example
The company raised capital by issuing debentures to investors.
B2 noun /ˈmæt.rəs/

Mattress

Meaning
a large rectangular pad for supporting the reclining body, used as or on a bed
Example
We bought a new mattress for our bedroom.
C1 adjective ˈtæktɪkəl

tactical

Meaning
Relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to gain a specific military or political end.
Example
Tactical thinking is crucial in business negotiations.
B2 adjective dɪsˈrʌp.tɪv

disruptive

Meaning
Causing or tending to cause disruption.
Example
Deforestation has a disruptive effect on wildlife.
B1 noun /ˈænəlɪst/

analyst

Meaning
a person who studies or examines something carefully to understand it or make decisions
Example
The financial analyst predicted a rise in the stock market.
C2 adjective /dʒɛnˈtiːl/

genteel

Meaning
Polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or exaggerated way
Example
She spoke in a genteel manner that impressed the guests.
B1 noun /ˈdʒuː.ni.ər/

Junior

Meaning
a person who is younger or lower in rank than someone else; relating to young people
Example
The junior employee was eager to learn from senior colleagues.
C1 noun /rɪˈkɜr.əns/

Recurrence

Meaning
the fact of something happening again; an instance of something happening again
Example
The doctor was concerned about the recurrence of the patient's symptoms.
C1 noun /kəˈpɪl.ər.iz/

capillaries

Meaning
Any of the fine branching blood vessels that form a network between the arterioles and venules.
Example
Broken capillaries cause dark circles.
B2 noun /dæm/

Dam

Meaning
a barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level; a female parent of an animal
Example
The massive dam provides electricity and controls flooding in the region.
B2 noun /ˈɪm.pʌls/

Impulse

Meaning
a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act; a driving force or motivation
Example
She bought the expensive dress on impulse and later regretted the purchase.
A2 adjective /ˈpɜːrfɪkt/

Perfect

Meaning
flawless; excellent; without fault
Example
She delivered a perfect performance on stage.
C1 verb dɪˈlɪnieɪt

delineate

Meaning
To describe or portray something precisely
Example
The artist delineated the scene in intricate detail.
A2 adverb /bɪˈjɒnd/

Beyond

Meaning
further away than; exceeding; more than
Example
The mountains stretched beyond the horizon.
A1 preposition /ˈʌndər/

under

Meaning
in or to a lower position than something
Example
The cat is under the table.
C2 noun /mjuːˈnɪfəsəns/

munificence

Meaning
great generosity or lavish giving
Example
The hospital was built thanks to the munificence of a wealthy donor.
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.
B2 noun ˈɡrævɪti

gravity

Meaning
The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass.
Example
Gravity pulls objects towards the Earth's surface.
C1 verb /əˈmæs/

amass

Meaning
to gather together or accumulate over a period of time
Example
He managed to amass a fortune through wise investments.
B1 adjective /ˈɜːrdʒənt/

Urgent

Meaning
requiring immediate action or attention; pressing
Example
The patient needs urgent medical attention.
C1 noun /ˈɛspiənɑːʒ/

espionage

Meaning
The practice of spying or using spies to gather secret information, usually for political or military purposes.
Example
The agent was arrested on charges of espionage against the state.
A1 preposition/conjunction /ʌnˈtɪl/

until

Meaning
up to the time of
Example
I will wait until you come back.
B2 noun /ˌnoʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/

notifications

Meaning
A notice or announcement, especially an official one.
Example
Turn off notifications to stay focused.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈfeər/

Unfair

Meaning
not right or just; treating people in a way that favors some over others
Example
It's unfair to blame her for something she didn't do.
C1 noun /rentʃ/

Wrench

Meaning
a tool used for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, or pipes
Example
He used a wrench to tighten the bolt.
B1 noun, verb /ˈdɪskaʊnt/

discount

Meaning
A reduction in the usual price of something; to reduce the price of something.
Example
The store offered a 20% discount on all electronics.
B1 noun /dɪˈlaɪt/

Delight

Meaning
a feeling of happiness or pleasure; something that gives great pleasure
Example
The children's laughter filled her heart with pure delight.
C1 verb /rɪˈvɜːrbəreɪt/

reverberate

Meaning
To echo repeatedly or have continuing effects.
Example
The sound of the explosion reverberated through the valley.
C2 adjective /ˌhæfˈbeɪkt/

half-baked

Meaning
poorly thought out or badly planned
Example
The manager quickly rejected his half-baked proposal.
C2 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈveɪl/

countervail

Meaning
to offset or counteract the effect of something
Example
The benefits of the new policy countervail its drawbacks.
C1 noun /ˈwɔːtəʃɛd/

watershed

Meaning
An event or period marking a turning point in a situation; also refers to a ridge dividing two drainage areas.
Example
The independence movement was a watershed in the nation's history.
B2 adjective /esˈθet.ɪk/

Aesthetic

Meaning
Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
Example
Good aesthetic design enhances product appeal.
C2 adjective /ˌaɪdəˈlɑːtrɪəs/

idolatrious

Meaning
Excessively devoted or reverent towards idols or false gods.
Example
The ancient tribe was known for its idolatrious practices.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊl.stɑːr/

Polestar

Meaning
a bright star that appears to stay in the same position in the sky and is used for navigation
Example
Sailors used the polestar to navigate across the ocean.
B1 adverb /ˈɡreɪtli/

greatly

Meaning
to a large extent or degree; very much
Example
She was greatly admired by her students.
C2 noun /ˈdɪti/

ditty

Meaning
a short, simple song or poem
Example
She sang a cheerful little ditty while cooking.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈpliːt/

incomplete

Meaning
Not finished, lacking some parts or not whole.
Example
Her report was incomplete and needed further details.
A2 noun /kɔːrn/

Corn

Meaning
a tall cereal plant that produces kernels on large ears; maize
Example
We grilled corn on the cob for dinner.
B2 adjective /ˈθret.ən.ɪŋ/

Threatening

Meaning
expressing a threat; menacing; intimidating
Example
The dark clouds looked threatening before the storm.
A2 adverb /ɪnˈdiːd/

indeed

Meaning
used to emphasize or confirm a statement
Example
It was a long journey indeed.
C2 adjective /məˈnaɪəkəl/

maniacal

Meaning
behaving like a maniac; showing excessive enthusiasm or madness
Example
He gave a maniacal laugh during the movie.
C2 noun /ˈɡæŋ.ɡriːn/

gangrene

Meaning
The death of body tissue due to lack of blood supply or infection.
Example
If untreated, the wound may lead to gangrene.
B2 noun /ˈrɪb.ən/

ribbon

Meaning
a long, narrow strip of fabric used for tying or decoration
Example
She tied her hair with a red ribbon.
C1 noun /ˈproʊtəˌʒeɪ/

protege

Meaning
a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced person
Example
The young artist was the protege of a famous painter.
B2 noun səbˈstænʃəl ˈɪmpækt

substantial impact

Meaning
A significant, considerable, and meaningful effect or influence.
Example
Substantial impact is possible even with a few hours of volunteering.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɪdiəs/

insidious

Meaning
Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects.
Example
The insidious spread of misinformation can damage trust.
C2 noun /ˈbrɪk.bæt/

Brickbat

Meaning
a piece of brick, especially one used as a missile; harsh criticism or censure
Example
The angry protesters threw brickbats at the building windows.
C1 noun /luː/

lieu

Meaning
Instead of; in place of.
Example
He gave money in lieu of flowers.
C2 noun /ˌbuː.ɡənˈvɪl.i.ə/

Bougainvillea

Meaning
a tropical climbing plant with colorful bracts surrounding small flowers
Example
The bougainvillea climbing over the garden wall creates a beautiful purple display.
C1 verb /lætʃ/

latch

Meaning
to fasten or close something with a latch
Example
She latched the door before leaving the house.
B2 noun /ˈbrʌðərhʊd/

brotherhood

Meaning
The relationship between brothers; an association of people with common interests
Example
The soldiers shared a strong sense of brotherhood.
C2 noun /ˈkreɪniəm/

cranium

Meaning
the skull, especially the part enclosing the brain
Example
The archaeologists carefully examined the ancient cranium.
B1 adverb /ˈkʌmftəbli/

Comfortably

Meaning
in a comfortable manner; without difficulty or effort; with ease
Example
She was sitting comfortably in her favorite chair.
B1 adjective /ˌoʊld ˈfæʃənd/

old-fashioned

Meaning
not modern; belonging to an earlier time
Example
He still wears an old-fashioned hat.
B2 noun /ˈsɪmpəθi/

Sympathy

Meaning
feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune
Example
She expressed her sympathy for the victims of the accident.
B2 noun /ˈpoʊ.di.əm/

Podium

Meaning
a small platform on which a person may stand to be seen by an audience
Example
The winner stood on the podium to receive the gold medal.
B2 noun əˈlaɪ.əns

alliance

Meaning
A union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations.
Example
Global alliances promote environmental sustainability.
C1 verb, noun /mɛʃ/

mesh

Meaning
To fit or work together properly; or a material made of interlaced threads.
Example
The two gears mesh perfectly to keep the machine running smoothly.
B1 adjective /ˈlaɪv.li/

Lively

Meaning
full of life and energy; animated; cheerful
Example
The children had a lively discussion about their favorite books.
C1 verb, adjective, noun /lɪmp/

limp

Meaning
to walk with difficulty, often due to injury or weakness; lacking strength or firmness.
Example
He limped after injuring his ankle.
A2 noun /prəˈdʌkʃən/

production

Meaning
the process of manufacturing or creating something
Example
The production of this film took over a year.
C1 noun /ˈkæv.əl.ri/

Cavalry

Meaning
soldiers who fight on horseback; the part of an army formerly composed of troops on horseback
Example
The cavalry charged across the field with great speed.
B2 noun /sɪmˈplɪsɪti/

Simplicity

Meaning
the quality of being simple; lack of complexity or intricacy
Example
The beauty of the design lies in its simplicity.
C2 verb /əˈvaʊ/

avow

Meaning
to openly declare or admit something, often publicly and firmly
Example
He avowed his loyalty to the cause without hesitation.
C1 verb /ˈreɪdieɪt/

radiate

Meaning
to emit energy or light; to spread out from a center
Example
The fireplace radiates warmth throughout the room.
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.
C2 adjective /daɪˈæfənəs/

diaphanous

Meaning
Light, delicate, and translucent.
Example
She wore a diaphanous dress that shimmered in the sunlight.
C1 adjective /mʌnˈdeɪn/

mundane

Meaning
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
Example
She tried to escape her mundane routine by traveling.
C2 noun /ˈlɪθəˌɡræf/

lithograph

Meaning
a print made by lithography, often artistic
Example
The museum displayed a rare lithograph from the 19th century.
C1 adjective /ˈmɜː.sɪ.fəl/

Merciful

Meaning
showing compassion or forgiveness; kind and forgiving
Example
The merciful judge gave him a lighter sentence.
C1 verb /diːˈkoʊd/

decode

Meaning
to convert a coded message into a readable form; to interpret meaning
Example
The software can decode the hidden message within seconds.
B2 adjective /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

striking

Meaning
very noticeable or impressive in appearance or effect
Example
Her striking beauty caught everyone's attention.
A2 noun /ˈmæstər/

Master

Meaning
A skilled practitioner of a particular art or activity; a teacher or expert
Example
Leonardo da Vinci was a master of both painting and sculpture.
B1 noun /ˈmeɪkʌp/

makeup

Meaning
cosmetics used to enhance or alter appearance
Example
She applied makeup before the party.
B2 noun /ˈweər.ə.baʊts/

Whereabouts

Meaning
the place where someone or something is located
Example
Nobody knows the whereabouts of the missing person.
C2 noun /ˌæv.oʊˈkeɪ.ʃən/

avocation

Meaning
a hobby or minor occupation pursued in addition to one's main work
Example
Painting is his avocation after office hours.
C1 adjective, noun /rɪˈsiːvəbl/

receivable

Meaning
Money that is owed to a company and is expected to be paid.
Example
The company's receivables increased significantly this quarter.
A2 adjective /ˈnætʃərəl/

natural

Meaning
existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind
Example
She prefers to use natural ingredients in her cooking.
A2 noun ˈsen.tərz

centers

Meaning
The middle point of a circle or sphere, equidistant from every point on the circumference or surface; a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated.
Example
Centers drive regional development.
B1 adverb /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/

automatically

Meaning
without human control or intervention; done by itself
Example
The door closes automatically after you enter.
B2 noun /əbˈdʒek.ʃən/

Objection

Meaning
an expression of disagreement or disapproval; a reason for disagreeing
Example
The lawyer raised an objection during the trial.
B2 verb /ˈæləkeɪt/

allocate

Meaning
to distribute or assign resources, duties, or responsibilities for a specific purpose
Example
The manager allocated funds for the new project.
B2 noun /rɪˈstrɪk.ʃən/

Restriction

Meaning
a limiting condition or measure; the limitation or control of someone or something
Example
There are strict restrictions on smoking in public places.
A2 adjective /pliːzd/

pleased

Meaning
feeling happy or satisfied with something
Example
She was pleased with her exam results.
C1 noun /oʊθ/

Oath

Meaning
a solemn promise or declaration; a sworn statement
Example
The doctor took an oath to help patients.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪkaʊnt/

viscount

Meaning
A British nobleman ranking below an earl and above a baron.
Example
The viscount inherited the estate from his father.
C2 adjective ˌnjʊəroʊˈkɒɡnɪtɪv

neurocognitive

Meaning
Related to brain information processing and memory power
Example
Neurocognitive functions decline due to lack of sleep.
C2 adjective /ˈɡɔːdi/

gaudy

Meaning
excessively showy or flashy, often in a tasteless way
Example
She wore a gaudy necklace that clashed with her elegant dress.
C2 noun /ˈstætɪks/

statics

Meaning
The branch of mechanics dealing with bodies at rest and forces in equilibrium.
Example
She is studying statics as part of her engineering course.
C1 adjective /ˈpoʊləraɪzd/

polarized

Meaning
divided into two sharply contrasting groups or opinions
Example
The debate polarized the community on the issue of climate change.
A1 adjective /sæd/

sad

Meaning
feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy
Example
She felt sad after hearing the bad news.
C1 adjective /ˈpæs.ə.bəl/

passable

Meaning
good enough to be accepted, though not excellent
Example
The road is barely passable after the storm.
B1 adjective /ˈprɛɡnənt/

pregnant

Meaning
having a child developing in the womb; also, full of meaning or significance
Example
She announced that she was three months pregnant.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈkɪndrəd/

kindred

Meaning
A person's relatives or family; similar in nature or character.
Example
They discovered kindred spirits in each other.
B2 adjective /ɪˈmjuːn/

immune

Meaning
protected from disease or from the effects of something
Example
Children who are vaccinated are immune to many diseases.
C1 noun, verb /ˈɔːtɒpsi/

autopsy

Meaning
a post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease
Example
The autopsy revealed that the victim had died from poisoning.
C2 adjective /ˌɛkjʊˈmɛnɪkəl/

ecumenical

Meaning
Promoting unity among different Christian churches or religions.
Example
The leaders gathered for an ecumenical conference to encourage dialogue.
B2 adjective /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/

joyful

Meaning
full of joy and happiness; causing joy or delight
Example
She felt joyful when she heard the good news.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈspjuːtəbəl/

Indisputable

Meaning
impossible to deny or argue against; undeniable; certain
Example
The evidence against him was indisputable.
B2 verb /ˈkɪdnæp/

kidnap

Meaning
to take someone away illegally by force
Example
The criminals kidnapped the wealthy businessman.
B2 noun ˈdʒes.tʃərz

gestures

Meaning
Body movements, especially of hands, face, or body when speaking.
Example
Effective gestures add emphasis to a speech.
B2 adjective /ˌɪd.iˈɒt.ɪk/

Idiotic

Meaning
extremely stupid; foolish; senseless
Example
His idiotic behavior embarrassed everyone at the meeting.
B1 verb /ˈpʌnɪʃ/

punish

Meaning
to give a penalty for wrongdoing; to discipline
Example
The teacher will punish students who cheat.
C1 noun /ˈtæm.ər.ɪnd/

Tamarind

Meaning
a brown tropical fruit with a tangy, sour taste used in cooking and beverages
Example
Tamarind is commonly used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines for its sour flavor.
C2 verb /ˈdɪðər/

dither

Meaning
to be indecisive or unable to make a decision
Example
He dithered for hours before choosing a restaurant.
C1 noun ˌsɪs.təˈmæt.ɪk ˈstræt.ə.dʒi

systematic strategy

Meaning
A methodical and organized plan or approach to achieve specific objectives.
Example
A systematic strategy was employed to achieve objectives.
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.
C1 noun /ˈbreɪkər/

breaker

Meaning
A person or thing that breaks something; a large sea wave that breaks into foam near the shore; a device that interrupts an electric circuit.
Example
The breaker tripped during the storm, cutting off electricity.