gridlock
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C1 noun /ˈɡrɪd.lɒk/

gridlock

Meaning
Complete traffic jam or standstill condition where vehicles cannot move.
Example
A major accident led to gridlock in the city center.
C1 adjective /ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/

retrograde

Meaning
moving backward or returning to a worse condition
Example
The policy was seen as a retrograde step for human rights.
C1 noun /tiˈɑː.rə/

Tiara

Meaning
a jeweled ornamental crown worn on formal occasions
Example
The princess wore a sparkling diamond tiara at the royal ball.
B2 adjective /sɔːr/

sore

Meaning
painful or aching, usually in a specific part of the body
Example
After the long run, my legs were sore.
C1 adjective ˈflʌd proʊn

flood-prone

Meaning
Susceptible to flooding; likely to experience floods frequently.
Example
Bangladesh is a flood-prone deltaic nation.
A2 noun /əˈlɪmpɪks/

olympics

Meaning
an international sports competition held every four years with athletes from many countries
Example
The Olympics bring athletes from all over the world together.
B2 adverb /aɪˈrɒnɪkli/

ironically

Meaning
in a way that is contrary to what is expected or intended
Example
Ironically, the fire station burned down.
C2 verb /ʌnˈfrɒk/

unfrock

Meaning
To remove a priest from his position or deprive someone of a rank.
Example
The corrupt priest was unfrocked after the investigation.
C1 noun /ˌbaɪˈlæt.ər.əl nɪˌɡəʊ.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃənz/

bilateral negotiations

Meaning
Negotiations or discussions between two parties, typically countries or organizations.
Example
Bilateral negotiations resolve disputes.
C2 adjective səˈluː.bri.əs

salubrious

Meaning
Health-giving; healthy; promoting health and well-being.
Example
The mountain air is salubrious and refreshing.
A2 noun /flaɪt/

flight

Meaning
the act of flying, typically through the air; or a scheduled trip by an aircraft
Example
Our flight to London was delayed due to bad weather.
C2 noun /ˌpraɪvəˈtɪə/

privateer

Meaning
A privately owned armed ship authorized by a government to attack enemy ships during war.
Example
The privateer captured several enemy vessels during the conflict.
B2 noun /brɑː/

bra

Meaning
a woman's undergarment worn to support and cover the breasts
Example
She bought a comfortable bra for everyday wear.
B1 noun /kəˈrɛkʃən/

correction

Meaning
the action or process of correcting something
Example
The teacher made a correction to the student's essay.
C2 noun /voʊˈsɪfərəns/

vociferance

Meaning
the act of shouting or making a loud outcry
Example
The vociferance of the protesters filled the streets.
C1 adjective /dɪˈmɛntɪd/

demented

Meaning
behaving irrationally due to mental illness or extreme excitement
Example
He looked demented after hearing the shocking news.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋ/

Exceeding

Meaning
going beyond; surpassing; extremely
Example
The project was completed with exceeding excellence.
B1 adverb; adjective /ˈkaɪndli/

kindly

Meaning
in a kind or gentle manner; showing kindness or goodwill
Example
She kindly helped the old man cross the street.
C1 noun /ˈzoʊdiæk/

Zodiac

Meaning
a belt of the heavens within which lie the paths of the sun, moon, and planets; the twelve astrological signs
Example
What is your zodiac sign?
C1 verb, noun /træmp/

tramp

Meaning
to walk heavily or noisily; a person who travels from place to place on foot, often homeless
Example
They tramped through the forest in heavy boots.
B2 adjective /kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/

Convincing

Meaning
believable; credible; persuasive; able to make someone believe something
Example
His convincing argument won over the entire jury.
B2 noun ˌæn.tiˈɒk.sɪ.dənt

antioxidant

Meaning
A substance that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage by neutralizing free radicals.
Example
Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that slow aging.
C1 noun /ˌɪntərˈmɪʃən/

intermission

Meaning
A pause or break, especially during a performance or event.
Example
The play had a twenty-minute intermission.
A2 verb /bɪld/

build

Meaning
to make something by putting materials together; to construct
Example
They will build a new school in our neighborhood.
B2 adverb /ˈbruːtəli/

brutally

Meaning
in a cruel, violent, or harsh manner; in a very direct and blunt way
Example
The prisoners were treated brutally by the guards.
C1 noun /ˈkrɛvɪs/

crevice

Meaning
a narrow crack or opening, especially in a rock or wall
Example
The lizard hid in a crevice between the stones.
C1 verb /kəˈrəʊd/

corrode

Meaning
to gradually destroy or wear away metal or other materials through chemical action
Example
The iron pipes corroded over time due to exposure to water.
B2 noun kjuːz

cues

Meaning
Signals or hints from conversation or environment that help understanding
Example
Facial expressions provide cues about a person's emotions.
B2 noun /fraɪt/

Fright

Meaning
a sudden intense feeling of fear; a shock or surprise that causes fear
Example
The loud thunder gave her such a fright that she dropped her coffee cup.
B1 noun /ˈsteɪtəs/

status

Meaning
the social or professional position or condition of someone or something
Example
His social status improved after the promotion.
B2 verb /ˈrɛkən/

reckon

Meaning
To think, believe, or expect something; to calculate or estimate.
Example
I reckon it will rain later today.
C1 noun /ˌsɛnsɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/

sensitization

Meaning
The process of becoming sensitive to a substance, situation, or influence.
Example
The doctor warned about the sensitization caused by repeated exposure to chemicals.
B1 noun /freɪz/

phrase

Meaning
a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit
Example
He gave a memorable phrase at the conference.
C2 verb /bɪˈleɪ/

belay

Meaning
to secure a rope by winding it around an object; to stop or cancel an order (nautical/military use)
Example
The climber asked his partner to belay the rope tightly.
C2 noun /ˈfɔːrˌpiːk/

forepeak

Meaning
The compartment in the forward part of a ship, often used for storage.
Example
The sailors stored extra ropes in the forepeak.
C1 noun ˈkɑːr.bən ˌsiː.kwəˈstreɪ.ʃən

carbon sequestration

Meaning
The process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate or defer global warming.
Example
Forests play a key role in carbon sequestration.
B2 noun /saɪˈkɒlədʒɪst/

psychologist

Meaning
a person who studies mental processes and behavior
Example
The psychologist helped him cope with his anxiety.
B2 noun /ˈɒp.tɪ.mɪ.zəm/

optimism

Meaning
Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
Example
Her optimism helped her overcome difficult times.
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 adjective /dɪˈɡreɪdɪd/

degraded

Meaning
Reduced in quality, dignity, or condition.
Example
The villagers were forced to live in degraded conditions.
C1 noun /oʊˈmɪʃ.ən/

Omission

Meaning
the action of excluding or leaving out someone or something; a failure to include
Example
The omission of his name from the list was intentional.
B2 adverb /ˈædɪkwətli/

adequately

Meaning
in a satisfactory manner
Example
He completed the task adequately, but could improve next time.
B2 noun /ˈdɛməˌkræt/

democrat

Meaning
a supporter of democracy or a member of the Democratic Party in the US
Example
He is a strong democrat who believes in equal rights.
B1 noun, verb /ˈɡrædʒuət/ (noun), /ˈɡrædʒueɪt/ (verb)

graduate

Meaning
As a noun: a person who has completed a course of study; As a verb: to complete a course of study successfully.
Example
She will graduate from university next year.
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.
C1 noun /sɪr/

seer

Meaning
A person who is supposed to be able to see what will happen in the future; a prophet.
Example
The seer predicted a great change in the kingdom.
B2 noun /ˈkæʃuː nʌts/

Cashew nuts

Meaning
kidney-shaped nuts from the cashew tree, commonly eaten as snacks or used in cooking
Example
Cashew nuts are often used in Indian sweets and curries.
A2 preposition /tɔːrdz/

towards

Meaning
in the direction of
Example
He is running towards the park.
C1 adjective /ˈneɡ.lɪ.dʒə.bəl/

Negligible

Meaning
so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant
Example
The side effects of this medicine are negligible.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfæləbl̩/

infallible

Meaning
incapable of making mistakes or being wrong
Example
Her judgment seemed infallible in matters of finance.
A1 noun /speɪs/

space

Meaning
The dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.
Example
Space exploration expands human knowledge.
B2 verb /ˈkeɪtər/

cater

Meaning
To provide food, drinks, or services, usually for an event or group.
Example
The company catered the wedding reception.
A1 noun /ˈbrek.fəst/

Breakfast

Meaning
the first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning
Example
I had cereal and toast for breakfast this morning.
C2 noun /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/

peroration

Meaning
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
Example
The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.mə.nɪm/

homonym

Meaning
A word that is spelled and pronounced like another word but has a different meaning.
Example
The word 'bat' is a homonym because it can mean an animal or a sports tool.
B2 adjective /ˌθɛr.əˈpjuː.tɪk/

therapeutic

Meaning
Having a healing or beneficial effect on the body or mind.
Example
Meditation is highly therapeutic for mental well-being.
B2 noun /əˈsɛnt/

ascent

Meaning
The act of rising or climbing to a higher position or level.
Example
The climbers began their ascent to the mountain peak at dawn.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛdəlsəm/

meddlesome

Meaning
fond of interfering in other people’s affairs
Example
She found her neighbor to be meddlesome and annoying.
C2 noun /ˈæbɪs/

abbess

Meaning
the woman in charge of a convent of nuns
Example
The abbess welcomed the visitors to the convent.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈprɒmp.tjuː/

impromptu

Meaning
Done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed; spontaneous.
Example
He gave an impromptu speech at the event.
C1 noun ˌvæljuˈeɪʃən

valuation

Meaning
An estimation of the worth of something.
Example
The valuation of the property was much higher than expected.
B1 noun /ˈtʃæptər/

chapter

Meaning
A main division of a book or a period in someone's life.
Example
I just finished the first chapter of the novel.
B1 verb /skɪp/

skip

Meaning
to omit or pass over something; to move lightly or quickly
Example
He decided to skip breakfast and go straight to work.
A2 noun /ˈzi.brə/

Zebra

Meaning
an African animal like a horse with black and white stripes
Example
The zebra ran across the African savanna with its herd.
C1 noun ˌmɛməraɪˈzeɪʃən

memorization

Meaning
The process of learning or committing something to memory
Example
Memorization of important information is crucial for exams.
C2 adverb /əˈmʌk/

amuck

Meaning
in a frenzied, uncontrolled, or chaotic manner
Example
The bull ran amuck through the village.
C1 verb /ɪˈroʊd/

erode

Meaning
to gradually wear away or destroy by natural forces such as water, wind, or chemical action
Example
The coastline has begun to erode due to constant waves.
A1 noun /fʊt/

Foot

Meaning
the lower extremity of the leg that is in direct contact with the ground in standing or walking
Example
She hurt her foot while running.
C2 noun /ˈsɛkstənt/

sextant

Meaning
a navigational instrument with a graduated arc of 60°, used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon
Example
Using a sextant, the navigator fixed the ship’s position at noon.
C1 noun /bəˈtɒn/

baton

Meaning
A thin stick carried by a conductor to direct an orchestra, or used as a symbol of authority.
Example
The conductor raised his baton to begin the symphony.
B2 verb /straɪv/

strive

Meaning
To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
Example
She strives to be the best student in her class.
C2 noun /ˈhɒdʒ.pɒdʒ/

hodgepodge

Meaning
A confusing mixture of different things; a jumble.
Example
The essay was a hodgepodge of unrelated ideas.
A2 noun /ˈɡrəʊsəri ʃɒp/

grocery shop

Meaning
a retail store where food and everyday household items are sold
Example
She stopped by the grocery shop to buy vegetables and milk.
C1 adjective /ˈpriːmə/

prima

Meaning
first or most important; excellent
Example
She was treated as the prima ballerina of the troupe.
B2 noun /ˈten.dər.nəs/

Tenderness

Meaning
gentleness and kindness; the quality of being easily hurt or damaged
Example
The mother showed great tenderness while caring for her sick child.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səˈbɔːr.dɪ.nət/

insubordinate

Meaning
Defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
Example
The insubordinate employee refused to follow the manager's instructions.
C2 noun mɒnəˈtɑːskɪŋ

monotasking

Meaning
The practice of dedicating oneself to a given task and minimizing potential interruptions until the task is completed or a significant period of time has elapsed.
Example
Monotasking can often lead to higher quality work.
C2 adjective /ˈbrɪndl̩d/

brindled

Meaning
Having a brownish or tawny color with streaks or spots of another color.
Example
The farmer owned a brindled cow with distinctive stripes.
B1 noun /ˈprɒp.ə.ti/

Property

Meaning
a building or land; something owned; a characteristic or quality
Example
They bought a beautiful property in the countryside.
A2 adjective /draɪ/

Dry

Meaning
free from moisture or liquid; not wet; lacking interest or excitement
Example
The desert has very dry climate.
B2 noun ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃən

implementation

Meaning
The process of putting a decision or plan into effect; execution.
Example
Proper implementation of policies is crucial.
A1 noun /bɔːl/

ball

Meaning
a round object used in games or sports
Example
The children played with a ball in the park.
C2 adjective /ˈdɔːnt.ləs/

dauntless

Meaning
Showing fearlessness and determination; brave and resolute.
Example
The dauntless soldier fought against all odds.
C1 noun kənˈsjuː.mə.rɪ.zəm

consumerism

Meaning
The tendency to increase consumption of goods and the importance given to consuming products.
Example
Modern consumerism leads to increased demand for luxury goods.
A2 noun /bɜːrθ/

Birth

Meaning
the emergence of a baby or young from the body of its mother; the beginning or origin of something
Example
The birth of their first child was a joyful moment.
B2 noun /ɡriːd/

Greed

Meaning
intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food
Example
His greed for money led him to make unethical business decisions.
B2 verb /ˈsʌfəkeɪt/

suffocate

Meaning
to cause someone to die or have difficulty breathing by depriving them of air
Example
The child nearly suffocated when trapped in the locked room.
B1 noun /ˈɡæsəˌliːn/

gasoline

Meaning
a liquid fuel made from petroleum, used mainly to power engines in vehicles
Example
The price of gasoline has increased significantly this month.
C1 noun /ˈɡlɒs.ər.i/

Glossary

Meaning
an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with explanations; a brief dictionary
Example
The textbook includes a helpful glossary at the end to define technical terms.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪbɪlaɪn/

sibylline

Meaning
Prophetic, mysterious, or cryptic in meaning.
Example
The old woman gave a sibylline warning about the future.
B2 adjective ˌprəʊˈæk.tɪv

proactive

Meaning
Taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens.
Example
Proactive strategies are needed to combat scarcity.
C2 noun /məˈlæsɪz/

Molasses

Meaning
thick, dark, sweet syrup made from sugar cane
Example
The recipe calls for molasses to give the bread a rich flavor.
B2 noun /ˈdreɪ.nɪdʒ/

drainage

Meaning
the system or process by which water or other liquids are drained away
Example
Poor drainage caused flooding in the neighborhood.
A2 verb /triːt/

treat

Meaning
to behave toward someone or something in a particular way
Example
The doctor treated me with great care during my recovery.
B1 adjective /ˌlɛftˈhændɪd/

left-handed

Meaning
Using or done with the left hand; also can mean clumsy or awkward.
Example
She is left-handed and writes beautifully with her left hand.
A2 adjective /wet/

Wet

Meaning
covered or saturated with water or another liquid; not dry
Example
My clothes are still wet from the rain.
C1 verb /ˈwɪtl/

whittle

Meaning
to carve or shape something by cutting off small pieces; to gradually reduce
Example
He spent the afternoon whittling a piece of wood into a toy.
B2 adverb /ˈɑːɡjuːəbli/

arguably

Meaning
used to say that a statement is open to argument or is considered true by many people
Example
She is arguably the most talented player on the team.
B1 noun /eɪdz/

aids

Meaning
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a disease of the immune system caused by HIV
Example
AIDS is a major global health concern.
A1 verb /peɪ/

pay

Meaning
to give money in exchange for goods or services
Example
I need to pay my bills on time.
C1 adjective /rɪˈsɛptɪv/

receptive

Meaning
Willing to listen to or accept new ideas, suggestions, or experiences.
Example
She was receptive to feedback from her colleagues.
B2 verb /stɑːv/

starve

Meaning
to suffer or die from lack of food
Example
He was left to starve in the desert.
C1 verb /ˈskaʊər/

scour

Meaning
to clean or brighten the surface of something by scrubbing; to search thoroughly
Example
She scoured the kitchen until it shone.
A2 noun /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsɪti/

electricity

Meaning
A form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles.
Example
The storm caused a power cut and we had no electricity.
A2 verb /raɪz/

rise

Meaning
to move upward; to get up from bed; to increase
Example
The sun rises in the east.
A1 noun /ˈɡrændˌmʌðər/

grandmother

Meaning
the mother of one's father or mother
Example
My grandmother makes delicious cakes.
C1 noun /rɪˈdʌn.dəns/

Redundance

Meaning
the state of being not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous repetition of information
Example
The document contained redundance that made it unnecessarily long.
A2 adjective /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/

dangerous

Meaning
likely to cause harm or injury; unsafe
Example
Driving fast on icy roads is dangerous.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːzənəbəl/

Seasonable

Meaning
occurring at the right time; appropriate for the season; timely
Example
The seasonable rain helped the farmers with their crops.
C2 noun /ˌɪdiəˈsɪŋkrəsi/

idiosyncrasy

Meaning
A distinctive or peculiar characteristic, habit, or mannerism unique to an individual.
Example
One of her idiosyncrasies was humming while working.
B2 verb əbˈzɜːrvd

observed

Meaning
To celebrate or keep a religious or other festival.
Example
The day is observed annually to raise awareness.
C2 noun /kɔːrˈteɪʒ/

cortege

Meaning
a solemn procession, especially for a funeral
Example
A cortege of mourners followed the hearse to the cemetery.
C1 noun /ˈduːmz.deɪ/

Doomsday

Meaning
the last day of the world's existence; a time of catastrophic destruction
Example
The preacher spoke about doomsday and the importance of preparing spiritually.
A2 noun /fiːld/

field

Meaning
an area of open land, often used for farming, sports, or scientific study
Example
The children played football in the field.
C1 noun /ˈkɔːkəs/

caucus

Meaning
A meeting of members of a political party to select candidates or decide policy.
Example
The party held a caucus to nominate their candidate for president.
A2 noun /ˈkʌm.pə.ni/

company

Meaning
a business organization; the presence of other people
Example
She started her own company to sell handmade products.
C2 noun /ˈlænjæp/

lagniappe

Meaning
A small gift or bonus given by a seller to a customer.
Example
The shopkeeper offered a piece of candy as a lagniappe.
B2 adjective /səˈbɜːrbən/

suburban

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of a suburb or the people living there
Example
They bought a house in a quiet suburban area.
B1 adverb /ˈʃɔːt.li/

Shortly

Meaning
soon; in a short time; briefly
Example
The meeting will begin shortly.
B2 noun /ˈvjuːpɔɪnt/

viewpoint

Meaning
a particular attitude or way of considering a matter
Example
From his viewpoint, the situation was hopeless.