happy
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A1 adjective /ˈhæpi/

happy

Meaning
feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or joy
Example
She was very happy to receive the gift.
B2 adjective /ˈhelp.ləs/

Helpless

Meaning
unable to defend oneself or act without help; powerless; vulnerable
Example
The child felt helpless when lost in the crowded market.
A1 pronoun /hiː/

he

Meaning
used to refer to a male person or animal already mentioned or easily identified
Example
He is my best friend.
C2 noun /ˈhɪlək/

hillock

Meaning
A small hill or mound.
Example
The children climbed up the grassy hillock to watch the sunset.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ər ˈɒn/

hanger-on

Meaning
a person who spends time with a powerful or famous person to gain benefits.
Example
The celebrity was always surrounded by hangers-on.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/

hawthorn

Meaning
A thorny shrub or small tree with white or pink flowers, often used for hedges.
Example
The garden was lined with blooming hawthorn bushes.
C2 noun /ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/

hand-wringing

Meaning
excessive worry or concern expressed in a visible or dramatic way.
Example
There was much hand-wringing over the political crisis.
A2 noun /ˈhɑː.bi/

Hobby

Meaning
an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure; a pastime or recreation
Example
Photography became her favorite hobby after she received a camera for her birthday.
C1 noun /ˈhɜː.mɪt/

Hermit

Meaning
a person living in solitude as a religious discipline; someone who withdraws from society
Example
The old hermit lived alone in a small cabin deep in the mountains, away from civilization.
B2 noun /ˈhændlɪŋ/

handling

Meaning
the act of managing or dealing with something or someone
Example
His handling of the situation was impressive.
B2 adjective /hɪˈlɛəriəs/

hilarious

Meaning
Extremely funny or amusing.
Example
The comedian told a hilarious story that had everyone laughing.
C1 noun /hɒˈstɪləti/

hostility

Meaning
hostile behavior; unfriendliness or opposition
Example
The negotiations ended in an atmosphere of hostility.
C2 noun /ˈhækəlz/

hackles

Meaning
the hairs on the back of an animal’s neck that rise when it is angry or alarmed; figuratively, feelings of anger or resentment
Example
His rude comment raised my hackles.
B2 noun /ˈhɑːrvɪst/

harvest

Meaning
the process or period of gathering crops
Example
Farmers are busy during the rice harvest season.
C1 noun /ˌhoʊmiˈɑːpəθi/

homeopathy

Meaning
a system of alternative medicine based on treating diseases with highly diluted substances
Example
He believes in homeopathy for treating common colds.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪd.baʊnd/

hidebound

Meaning
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention
Example
He is too hidebound to accept new ideas.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪdəweɪ/

hideaway

Meaning
A place used as a retreat or a place to hide.
Example
The cabin in the woods was their secret hideaway.
C2 adjective /ˈhɜːrsuːt/

hirsute

Meaning
Having a lot of hair, especially in an unusual place.
Example
The hirsute man stood out in the crowd with his long beard.
B2 verb /ˈhʌvər/

hover

Meaning
to remain in the air in one place without moving forward or backward
Example
The helicopter hovered over the city.
B2 noun /hɜːb/ (US) /hɜːb/ or /ɜːb/

herb

Meaning
a plant used for flavoring food, medicine, or perfume
Example
Basil is a popular herb used in Italian cuisine.
C2 noun /hɜːrs/

Hearse

Meaning
a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral; a funeral car
Example
The black hearse slowly made its way to the cemetery, followed by a procession of mourners.
B2 noun /həˈraɪ.zənz/

horizons

Meaning
The limit of a person's mental perception, experience, or interest.
Example
The telescope opens new horizons for astronomy.
B2 noun /heə(r)/

Hare

Meaning
a fast-running long-eared mammal that resembles a large rabbit
Example
The hare quickly ran across the field.
B2 noun ˈhoʊmˌskuː.lɪŋ

homeschooling

Meaning
The practice of educating children at home rather than sending them to a school.
Example
Homeschooling allows parents to tailor education to their child's needs.
B2 adjective haɪˈdʒiː.nɪk

hygienic

Meaning
Conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially by being clean.
Example
Maintaining hygienic conditions in hospitals is crucial.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrtˌrɛndɪŋ/

heartrending

Meaning
Causing great sadness or distress; very moving emotionally.
Example
The documentary showed heartrending scenes of war victims.
B2 adjective /hoʊˈlɪs.tɪk/

holistic

Meaning
Understanding or analyzing something through a comprehensive, integrated whole perspective.
Example
A holistic approach to health considers both body and mind.
C1 verb /ˈhæmpər/

hamper

Meaning
to hinder or impede the movement or progress of
Example
The heavy rain hampered our travel plans.
C1 adjective /ˈhɪd.i.əs/

Hideous

Meaning
extremely ugly or unpleasant; causing shock or disgust
Example
The monster in the movie had a hideous appearance.
B2 noun ˈhæb.ɪt fɔːrˌmeɪ.ʃən

habit formation

Meaning
The process of creating a habit through regular practice and repetition.
Example
Habit formation requires consistency and discipline.
C2 noun phrase /ˌhjuː ən ˈkraɪ/

hue and cry

Meaning
A loud public outcry or protest, often demanding action.
Example
There was a hue and cry over the new policy changes.
B1 noun /ˈhæm.ər/

Hammer

Meaning
a tool with a heavy metal head for hitting nails or breaking things
Example
She used a hammer to nail the picture frame to the wall.
B2 noun /haɪˈdreɪʃən/

hydration

Meaning
The process of providing an adequate amount of liquid to bodily tissues.
Example
Proper hydration is essential for maintaining body functions.
C2 verb /ˈhæroʊ/

harrow

Meaning
to cause distress or torment; also to break up and smooth soil with a farm tool
Example
The tragic news harrowed the entire family.
C1 adjective /ˈhæloʊd/

hallowed

Meaning
regarded as holy or greatly respected
Example
They walked across the hallowed halls of the old university.
C2 noun /ˈhjuːməs/

humus

Meaning
The dark, organic material in soil formed from decayed plants and animals.
Example
The gardener enriched the soil with humus to improve plant growth.
C2 adjective hjʊˈrɪs.tɪk

heuristic

Meaning
Enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves; experimental learning approach.
Example
Teachers use heuristic techniques to encourage self-learning.
C1 adverb /ˌhɛdˈfɜrst/

headfirst

Meaning
With the head leading; in a reckless or hasty manner.
Example
He dived headfirst into the pool.
C1 adverb/noun /ˌhɪərˈæftər/

hereafter

Meaning
from now on; in the future; also refers to life after death.
Example
Hereafter, all reports must be submitted electronically.
C2 noun /ˈhɛptɑːrki/

heptarchy

Meaning
A group of seven rulers or governments, especially the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in early England.
Example
The history book described the heptarchy of Anglo-Saxon England.
A1 adjective /hɒt/

Hot

Meaning
having high temperature; warm; heated;
Example
The coffee is too hot to drink.
C1 noun /ˈhæm.lət/

Hamlet

Meaning
a small rural settlement, smaller than a village; a small community
Example
The tiny hamlet nestled in the valley had only a dozen houses and one small church.
C1 noun /ˌhaɪ.roʊˈɡlɪf.ɪks/

hieroglyphics

Meaning
a system of writing using pictures or symbols, used especially by ancient Egyptians
Example
The tomb walls were covered with Egyptian hieroglyphics.
B2 verb /həˈræs/

harass

Meaning
to persistently annoy or torment someone
Example
The employees complained that their boss harassed them.
C2 noun, verb /ˈhæmstrɪŋ/

hamstring

Meaning
a tendon at the back of the thigh; as a verb, to cripple or severely restrict the effectiveness of someone or something.
Example
Budget cuts hamstrung the organization’s plans.
B2 adjective /ˈhevənli/

Heavenly

Meaning
relating to heaven; extremely pleasant or beautiful
Example
The chocolate cake had a heavenly taste that melted in my mouth.
C1 noun /hɑːrp/

Harp

Meaning
a large triangular musical instrument with strings that are plucked
Example
The angel played a beautiful melody on the harp.
B2 adjective /ˈhek.tɪk/

Hectic

Meaning
very busy and full of activity; frantic; characterized by intense activity or excitement
Example
My schedule has been hectic lately with back-to-back meetings.
A2 adverb /ˈɒnɪstli/

honestly

Meaning
in a truthful, sincere, or fair way
Example
She spoke honestly about her mistakes.
B2 noun/verb /hɜːrd/

herd

Meaning
a large group of animals of the same type that live and feed together; or to gather animals into a group.
Example
The shepherd herded the sheep into the pen.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/

hypothesis

Meaning
a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Example
The scientist tested her hypothesis through multiple experiments.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊˈfoʊbiə/

hydrophobia

Meaning
Extreme or irrational fear of water; historically, another name for rabies.
Example
After being bitten by a stray dog, the man was treated for hydrophobia.
A1 noun /hoʊˈtɛl/

hotel

Meaning
A building where people pay to stay and sleep, usually for short periods.
Example
We stayed at a hotel near the beach.
C1 noun /ˈhɒməˌfoʊn/

homophone

Meaning
A word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning, and often spelling.
Example
The words 'pair' and 'pear' are homophones.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɒtənjuːs/

hypotenuse

Meaning
the longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.
Example
In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is always longer than the other two sides.
C2 noun /ˈhɜːrmɪtɪdʒ/

hermitage

Meaning
A secluded residence or retreat, often for a hermit or religious recluse.
Example
The monk spent years in a hermitage deep in the forest.
B2 noun hɛdʒ

hedge

Meaning
A way of protecting oneself against financial loss or other adverse circumstances.
Example
Investors use hedging strategies to protect against market volatility.
C1 noun /ˈhjuːbrɪs/

hubris

Meaning
excessive pride or self-confidence
Example
His hubris led to his downfall.
B2 adjective /hɪˈspænɪk/

hispanic

Meaning
relating to Spain or Spanish-speaking countries, especially Latin America.
Example
She studies Hispanic culture and language.
B2 adjective /ˈɒnərəbəl/

honourable

Meaning
deserving respect or admiration because of moral integrity; showing honesty and fairness
Example
She is known as an honourable leader who always keeps her promises.
B2 adjective /ˌhaɪ ˈtɛk/

high-tech

Meaning
using or involving advanced technology.
Example
The company produces high-tech medical devices.
B2 noun /ˈhedʒhɒɡ/

Hedge-hog

Meaning
a small mammal with a spiny coat that can roll into a ball for defense
Example
The hedgehog rolled into a ball when it felt threatened.
B2 noun /həˈræsmənt/

harassment

Meaning
aggressive pressure or intimidation; unwanted and repeated behavior causing discomfort
Example
The company has a strict policy against workplace harassment.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊməˈkænɪks/

hydromechanics

Meaning
The study of the mechanical properties and behavior of fluids in motion and at rest.
Example
Hydromechanics provides the foundation for naval architecture.
B1 noun /ˈhaɪdʒiːn/

hygiene

Meaning
Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease.
Example
Good hygiene is essential for preventing the spread of infections.
C2 adjective /ˈhæm ˌhændɪd/

ham-handed

Meaning
clumsy or inept in handling things or situations
Example
His ham-handed attempt to fix the computer made it worse.
B2 noun ˈhæbɪtæt lɒs

Habitat Loss

Meaning
The destruction or disappearance of natural environments where organisms live.
Example
Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to butterflies.
B2 noun /ˌhɪp.əˈpɒt.ə.məs/

Hippopotamus

Meaning
a large, mostly herbivorous mammal that lives in and around water in Africa
Example
The hippopotamus spends most of its day in the water.
C1 adjective /ˌhɛtərəˈʤiːniəs/

heterogeneous

Meaning
consisting of different kinds or diverse elements
Example
The classroom was filled with a heterogeneous group of students.
B2 adverb /hɛns/

hence

Meaning
for this reason; as a result
Example
She was the best candidate, hence she was chosen for the job.
A1 verb /hɪər/

hear

Meaning
to perceive sound; to listen to
Example
I can hear the birds singing.
C1 adverb /ˈhɑr.tɪ.li/

Heartily

Meaning
in a sincere and enthusiastic manner; wholeheartedly
Example
She heartily welcomed her guests to the party.
A2 noun /ˈherˌdrɛsər/

hairdresser

Meaning
a person whose job is to cut, style, and treat hair
Example
The hairdresser gave me a stylish haircut before the wedding.
B2 noun /hɔrn/

Horn

Meaning
a hard pointed projection on the head of certain animals; a musical instrument
Example
The rhinoceros used its horn to defend itself.
A2 noun /hɛn/

Hen

Meaning
female chicken
Example
The hen laid fresh eggs in the nest.
C1 noun /ˈheəˌkʌtər/

haircutter

Meaning
a person whose job is to cut and style hair; barber or hairdresser
Example
The haircutter gave me a neat and stylish haircut.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːri/

hoary

Meaning
gray or white with age; very old and respected
Example
The hoary oak tree stood as a witness to centuries of history.
A1 noun /hænd/

Hand

Meaning
the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb
Example
He raised his hand to ask a question.
A1 noun, verb /hɛd/

head

Meaning
The upper part of the human body or to lead or be in charge of something.
Example
She turned her head to look out the window.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpərˈkrɪtɪkl/

hypercritical

Meaning
Excessively or unreasonably critical.
Example
The teacher was often hypercritical of small mistakes.
A2 adverb, conjunction /haʊˈɛvər/

however

Meaning
used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something previously said
Example
The journey was long; however, it was enjoyable.
A1 interjection /həˈloʊ/

hello

Meaning
a greeting or expression used when meeting someone or starting a conversation
Example
She answered the phone with a cheerful hello.
B2 noun /ˈher ˌpɪn/

Hair pin

Meaning
a thin piece of metal or plastic used to hold hair in place
Example
She used several hair pins to secure her elegant updo.
B2 adjective /hɑːrˈmoʊ.ni.əs/

harmonious

Meaning
Characterized by agreement or concord; forming a pleasing or consistent whole.
Example
A harmonious work environment boosts productivity.
C2 noun /hʌsk/

husk

Meaning
the dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds
Example
The corn husk was peeled away before cooking.
C2 noun ˌhiː.məˈfɪl.i.ə

hemophilia

Meaning
A medical condition in which the ability of the blood to clot is severely reduced, causing the sufferer to bleed severely from even a slight injury.
Example
Hemophilia treatment benefits from genetic editing.
C1 verb /həˈluːsɪneɪt/

hallucinate

Meaning
to see, hear, or sense things that are not actually present, often due to illness or drugs
Example
After taking the medicine, he began to hallucinate strange shapes.
C1 noun /ˈhɛzɪtənsi/

hesitancy

Meaning
The tendency to pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear.
Example
His hesitancy in answering made everyone doubt his confidence.
C1 noun /ˈɛər.luːm/

heirloom

Meaning
a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations
Example
The ring is a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother.
C1 noun /hɪˈpɑː.krə.si/

Hypocrisy

Meaning
the practice of claiming to have moral standards that one does not actually possess; insincerity
Example
His hypocrisy was exposed when he criticized others for the same mistakes he had made.
C1 verb /ˈheɪsən/

hasten

Meaning
To move or act quickly; to cause something to happen sooner.
Example
He hastened to finish his work before the deadline.
C1 adjective /ˌhæpˈhæz.ɚd/

haphazard

Meaning
Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random.
Example
His haphazard approach led to project failure.
B1 noun /ˈhel.mət/

Helmet

Meaning
a hard or padded protective hat worn by motorcyclists, construction workers, or soldiers
Example
The cyclist always wore a bright yellow helmet for safety and visibility while riding.
B1 verb /haɪər/

hire

Meaning
to employ someone for wages; to rent or engage services
Example
The company will hire new employees next month.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑːrmləs/

Harmless

Meaning
not able or likely to cause harm; innocent; safe
Example
The snake looks dangerous but it's actually harmless.
B2 noun /haɪˈiː.nə/

Hyena

Meaning
a wild animal of Africa and Asia that looks like a dog and makes a sound like laughter
Example
The hyena laughed in the darkness of the night.
A2 noun /haɪt/

height

Meaning
the measurement of someone or something from base to top
Example
The height of the tower impressed the visitors.
C2 verb /haɪ/

hie

Meaning
to go quickly; hasten
Example
He hied to the station to catch the train.
C2 adjective /hərˈmɛtɪk/

hermetic

Meaning
Completely sealed, especially so that no air can enter or escape.
Example
The medicine was kept in a hermetic container.
C2 adjective/noun /haɪˈbɜːrniən/

hibernian

Meaning
Relating to Ireland or the Irish.
Example
He enjoyed reading about Hibernian culture and history.
C1 noun /ˈhɪpnətɪzəm/

hypnotism

Meaning
The practice or act of inducing hypnosis.
Example
He studied hypnotism as part of his psychology degree.
B1 noun /ˈhɑːrdˌwɛr/

hardware

Meaning
the physical parts of a computer or electronic system, such as the monitor, keyboard, and processor
Example
The company upgraded its computer hardware to improve performance.
C2 noun ˈhɑːrbərɪdʒ

harborage

Meaning
A place of shelter or refuge for pests or animals.
Example
Pests need a harborage site to survive and breed.
C2 noun /hɪˈlærɪti/

hilarity

Meaning
Extreme amusement, especially when expressed by laughter.
Example
The movie caused great hilarity among the audience.
A2 verb /hiːt/

heat

Meaning
to make or become hot or warm
Example
Please heat the soup before serving.
B1 verb /ˈɒnər/

honour

Meaning
to show respect; to keep a promise
Example
We honour our veterans for their service.
B2 noun /ˈɑːnər/

honor

Meaning
high respect; great esteem
Example
He received an award in honor of his achievements.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪ.nəs/

Heinous

Meaning
extremely wicked or evil; abominable; morally reprehensible
Example
The heinous crime shocked the entire community.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.mɪdʒ/

Homage

Meaning
special honor or respect shown publicly; tribute paid to someone in recognition of their merit
Example
The memorial service was a touching homage to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrtən/

hearten

Meaning
To give courage, confidence, or hope.
Example
The teacher’s encouragement heartened the students.
B2 noun ˈhɛr.ɪ.tɪdʒ

heritage

Meaning
Property that is or may be inherited; something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor; cultural traditions and practices that are passed down.
Example
Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage.
A2 pronoun /hɜːrˈsɛlf/

herself

Meaning
used to refer to a female person as the object of a verb or preposition when she is the subject
Example
She prepared the meal all by herself.
C2 noun /ˈhen.ə/

Henna

Meaning
a reddish-brown dye made from the powdered leaves of a tropical shrub, used to color hair and decorate skin
Example
The bride's hands were beautifully decorated with intricate henna patterns for her wedding ceremony.
B1 noun /ˈhɪr.ɪŋ/

Hearing

Meaning
the faculty of perceiving sounds; a session in which testimony and arguments are heard
Example
The elderly man's hearing had deteriorated, so he needed to wear a hearing aid.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndrɪæk/

hypochondriac

Meaning
a person who is excessively worried about having a serious illness
Example
She is a hypochondriac who visits the doctor every week.
A2 verb /hʌɡ/

hug

Meaning
to hold someone tightly in your arms to show affection or comfort
Example
She hugged her friend before leaving for the airport.
B2 noun /ˈhaɪəˌrɑːrki/

hierarchy

Meaning
A system in which people or things are arranged in levels of importance or authority.
Example
The corporate hierarchy determines who makes the final decision.
C2 noun /ˈhʌstɪŋz/

hustings

Meaning
the political campaigning and speeches before an election
Example
The candidate gained popularity during the hustings.
C2 adjective /haɪˈbɜːrnəl/

hibernal

Meaning
Relating to or occurring in winter.
Example
The hibernal season is often harsh in the mountains.
C1 adverb /ˈheɪs.tɪ.li/

Hastily

Meaning
in a hurried or rushed manner; quickly and carelessly
Example
She hastily packed her bags before leaving for the airport.
B2 noun, verb /ˈhɑːrbər/

harbor

Meaning
noun: a place on the coast where ships may find shelter; verb: to keep (a thought or feeling, often negative) in one's mind
Example
He continued to harbor resentment towards his former boss.