headfirst
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C1 adverb /ˌhɛdˈfɜrst/

headfirst

Meaning
With the head leading; in a reckless or hasty manner.
Example
He dived headfirst into the pool.
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.
B2 noun /ˈhæz.ərd/

Hazard

Meaning
a danger or risk; something that poses a threat to safety
Example
Smoking is a serious health hazard that can lead to lung cancer and heart disease.
C1 verb /hɜːrl/

hurl

Meaning
To throw something with great force.
Example
The boy hurled a stone into the river.
B1 verb /hʊk/

hook

Meaning
to catch with a hook; to fasten
Example
He hooked the fish successfully.
C1 noun /ˈhɪp.ə.krɪt/

Hypocrite

Meaning
a person who acts in contradiction to their stated beliefs or feelings; a pretender
Example
Don't be a hypocrite by demanding honesty from others while lying yourself.
A1 noun /ˈhɒs.pɪ.təl/

hospital

Meaning
an institution where sick or injured people are given medical treatment
Example
He was taken to the hospital after the accident.
B1 adjective /ˈhæn.səm/

handsome

Meaning
attractive in appearance, usually referring to men; also can mean generous or impressive in size.
Example
He looked very handsome in his new suit.
B2 adjective /ˈhoʊmli/

Homely

Meaning
simple and comfortable; unpretentious; plain in appearance; cozy and familiar
Example
She enjoyed the homely atmosphere of the small café.
C2 adjective /ˌhɑːrdˈbɪtn̩/

hard-bitten

Meaning
tough and experienced, not easily affected by emotions or hardship
Example
The hard-bitten detective showed no sign of surprise at the crime scene.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpərˈkrɪtɪkl/

hypercritical

Meaning
Excessively or unreasonably critical.
Example
The teacher was often hypercritical of small mistakes.
C2 adjective /ˈhɛtərəˌdɒks/

heterodox

Meaning
not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs
Example
The professor was known for his heterodox views on religion.
A1 pronoun /hɪz/

his

Meaning
belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned
Example
This is his book on the table.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪt.fəl/

Hateful

Meaning
causing or deserving hatred; extremely unpleasant or offensive
Example
His hateful comments hurt everyone's feelings.
C1 adverb /ˈhʌŋ.ɡrə.li/

Hungrily

Meaning
in a way that shows hunger; greedily; eagerly
Example
The dog ate hungrily after not eating for hours.
B2 adjective /ˈhʌm.bəl/

Humble

Meaning
modest; not proud; unassuming;
Example
Despite his success, he remained humble and kind.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪ.drəʊˌpaʊər ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

hydropower generation

Meaning
The production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water.
Example
Hydropower generation promotes green energy.
B2 noun /hiːl/

Heel

Meaning
the back part of the human foot below the ankle
Example
She wore shoes with high heels to the party.
C2 adjective /hɛkˈsæŋɡjələr/

hexangular

Meaning
Having six angles or corners.
Example
The artist designed a hexangular frame for the mirror.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑlːoʊ/

Hollow

Meaning
having an empty space inside; lacking substance or meaning; insincere
Example
The hollow tree trunk provided shelter for small animals.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːdɪhʊd/

hardihood

Meaning
Courage, boldness, or daring behavior; also physical robustness.
Example
The mountaineer's hardihood impressed the entire team.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌmdrʌm/

humdrum

Meaning
Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous.
Example
She grew tired of the humdrum routine of office life.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːstəlri/

hostelry

Meaning
An inn or lodging place, especially one for travelers.
Example
They stayed at a small hostelry near the mountains.
C2 adjective /haɪˈbɜːrnəl/

hibernal

Meaning
Relating to or occurring in winter.
Example
The hibernal season is often harsh in the mountains.
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 noun ˈhɑːrvɪstɪŋ

harvesting

Meaning
The process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields or collecting natural resources.
Example
Unregulated harvesting affects the biodiversity of oceans.
B1 noun হ্যান্ড এক্সারসাইজেস

hand exercises

Meaning
Physical activities designed to strengthen, stretch, and improve the flexibility of hand and finger muscles.
Example
Regular hand exercises are essential for muscle recovery.
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.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊdaɪˈnæmɪks/

hydrodynamics

Meaning
The branch of science concerned with the motion of fluids, especially liquids, and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids.
Example
Hydrodynamics is essential in designing efficient ship hulls.
B1 verb/noun /haɪk/

hike

Meaning
To take a long walk in the countryside or mountains; also to increase suddenly (prices, rates, etc.).
Example
We decided to hike in the hills this weekend.
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.
C1 adverb /ˈhɒtli/

hotly

Meaning
in an intense, angry, or passionate way
Example
She hotly denied the accusations.
C2 noun /oʊˈtɜːr/

hauteur

Meaning
disdainful pride; arrogance
Example
His hauteur made it difficult for others to approach him.
C2 noun /hɔːɡ plʌm/

Hog plum

Meaning
tropical fruit with yellow skin and sour taste
Example
Hog plums are often used to make pickles and chutneys.
C1 noun ˈhɛroʊˌɪzəm

heroism

Meaning
Great bravery; the qualities or attributes of a hero.
Example
The heroism of freedom fighters inspires the nation.
C1 noun /haʊnd/

Hound

Meaning
a dog bred for hunting, typically having a keen sense of smell
Example
The bloodhound tracked the scent through the dense forest.
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 /ˈhɛklər/

heckler

Meaning
A person who interrupts a speaker with rude or aggressive comments.
Example
The politician remained calm despite the heckler shouting from the crowd.
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.
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.
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.
C2 noun /hæp/

hap

Meaning
luck, fortune, or chance occurrence
Example
By sheer hap, he discovered the old letter hidden in the drawer.
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 noun /ˈhæbɪtənt/

habitant

Meaning
An inhabitant; a person or animal that lives in a particular place.
Example
The habitants of the village were friendly and welcoming.
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.
C1 adjective /hɪpˈnɒtɪk/

hypnotic

Meaning
Producing sleep or a trance-like state; mesmerizing.
Example
The music had a hypnotic effect on the audience.
C1 noun /ˈhɔːrtɪˌkʌltʃər/

horticulture

Meaning
The art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
Example
Horticulture plays a vital role in producing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
B2 verb /ˈhɑːrnɪs/

harness

Meaning
To control and make use of natural resources, especially energy.
Example
Scientists are working to harness solar power effectively.
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.
B2 noun /hoʊm ˈdɪstrɪkt/

home district

Meaning
the district where a person was born or originally comes from
Example
He returned to his home district after many years abroad.
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.
C1 adjective /ˌhɛtərəˈʤiːniəs/

heterogeneous

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

headquarters

Meaning
The main office or center of operations of an organization.
Example
The company’s headquarters is located in New York.
B2 noun /ˈhɑːr.mə.ni/

harmony

Meaning
A pleasing combination of different elements or a state of peaceful coexistence.
Example
A society thrives when there is harmony among its people.
C1 adjective /ˌhaɪdroʊɪˈlɛktrɪk/

hydroelectric

Meaning
Relating to or denoting the generation of electricity using flowing water.
Example
The country invested heavily in hydroelectric power plants.
C1 noun /ˈhæŋ.ər/

Hanger

Meaning
a shaped piece of wood, plastic, or metal with a hook at the top, used to hang up clothes
Example
She hung her dress on a wooden hanger to prevent it from getting wrinkled.
B1 verb /haɪər/

hire

Meaning
to employ someone for wages; to rent or engage services
Example
The company will hire new employees next month.
C2 noun /ˈhɒdʒ.pɒdʒ/

hodgepodge

Meaning
A confusing mixture of different things; a jumble.
Example
The essay was a hodgepodge of unrelated ideas.
C1 verb /ˈhjuːmənaɪz/

humanize

Meaning
To make something more humane, kind, or relatable.
Example
The teacher tried to humanize the lesson with personal stories.
C1 noun /haɪˈpɜːrbəli/

hyperbole

Meaning
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Example
Saying he could run a thousand miles in a day is pure hyperbole.
B2 noun /hʌt/

hut

Meaning
a small simple shelter or house
Example
They lived in a small wooden hut near the river.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪərəˌɡlɪf/

hieroglyph

Meaning
A picture or symbol used in ancient writing systems, especially Egyptian writing.
Example
The walls of the temple were covered in hieroglyphs.
B2 adjective /ˈheɪsti/

Hasty

Meaning
done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; hurried
Example
Don't make hasty decisions when you're angry.
C2 noun /hʌsk/

husk

Meaning
the dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds
Example
The corn husk was peeled away before cooking.
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.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪtən/

heighten

Meaning
to make or become greater in intensity or degree
Example
The announcement served to heighten the excitement in the room.
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 noun /ˈhɔːzər/

hawser

Meaning
A thick rope or cable used in mooring or towing a ship.
Example
The sailors secured the ship to the dock with a heavy hawser.
C2 noun /ˈhelmz.mən/

Helmsman

Meaning
a person who steers a ship or boat; the person at the helm of a vessel
Example
The experienced helmsman skillfully guided the yacht through the narrow channel during the storm.
C1 noun /ˌhɑːmənaɪˈzeɪʃən/

harmonization

Meaning
The process of making things compatible or consistent with one another.
Example
The harmonization of different policies ensures consistent results.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrtˌrɛndɪŋ/

heartrending

Meaning
Causing great sadness or distress; very moving emotionally.
Example
The documentary showed heartrending scenes of war victims.
A1 noun /ˈaʊər/

hour

Meaning
A period of time equal to 60 minutes.
Example
The meeting lasted for two hours.
C2 noun /ˈhɪlək/

hillock

Meaning
A small hill or mound.
Example
The children climbed up the grassy hillock to watch the sunset.
C2 verb (past tense, past participle), adjective /ˈhæmstrʌŋ/

hamstrung

Meaning
crippled or severely restricted in movement or progress.
Example
The team was hamstrung by lack of resources.
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.
C1 adjective /həˈmɑː.dʒə.nəs/

homogenous

Meaning
Similar or uniform in nature; often used interchangeably with 'homogeneous'.
Example
The class was made up of a homogenous group of students.
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.
B1 verb /ˈɒnər/

honour

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

harvest

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

Hearsay

Meaning
information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor
Example
The accusations were based on hearsay rather than concrete evidence or eyewitness testimony.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈhæriːd/

harried

Meaning
feeling strained or stressed due to being overworked or constantly bothered
Example
The harried teacher struggled to calm the noisy classroom.
A1 verb /ˈhæpən/

happen

Meaning
to occur or take place; to come about by chance
Example
What happened at the meeting yesterday?
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.
A1 verb /hoʊld/

hold

Meaning
to grasp or carry something; to maintain a position
Example
Please hold my hand.
C1 verb /ˈhæɡəl/

haggle

Meaning
to argue about the price; to bargain persistently
Example
They haggled over the price for an hour.
B2 adjective /hɪˈspænɪk/

hispanic

Meaning
relating to Spain or Spanish-speaking countries, especially Latin America.
Example
She studies Hispanic culture and language.
A2 noun /hɪl/

Hill

Meaning
a naturally raised area of land, not as high or craggy as a mountain
Example
The children enjoyed rolling down the grassy hill behind their house during summer vacation.
A2 adjective /ˈhevi/

Heavy

Meaning
having great weight; intense or severe
Example
The heavy suitcase was difficult to carry up the stairs.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪ.nəs/

Highness

Meaning
a title given to a person of royal rank; the quality or state of being high or elevated
Example
Your Highness, the royal carriage is ready to take you to the state banquet this evening.
A2 verb /hɜːrt/

hurt

Meaning
to cause pain or injury; to feel pain physically or emotionally
Example
My back hurts from sitting too long.
B2 verb /hɔːnt/

haunt

Meaning
to trouble persistently; to visit as a ghost
Example
The old memories still haunt me.
B2 noun /hɪp/

hip

Meaning
The part of the body on either side of the pelvis, or informal: trendy and fashionable.
Example
She put her hands on her hips.
B2 noun ˈhæb.ɪ.tæts

habitats

Meaning
The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
Example
Scientists envision habitats on the Moon.
B1 verb /hiːl/

heal

Meaning
to cure; to become healthy again
Example
Time will heal all wounds.
A2 adjective ˈhjuː.mən

human

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of people or human beings; showing the better qualities of humankind, such as kindness.
Example
Human values shape social systems.
C1 adjective /ˈhæɡ.ərd/

Haggard

Meaning
looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering
Example
After working three nights without sleep, he looked haggard.
C2 noun /hɑrˈmoʊniəm/

Harmonium

Meaning
a keyboard musical instrument similar to an organ, using air to produce sound
Example
She played devotional songs on the harmonium at the temple.
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 adjective /ˈhed.i/

Heady

Meaning
having a strong or exhilarating effect; intoxicating; exciting
Example
The heady perfume of jasmine filled the garden.
A2 noun /ˈhæb.ɪt/

habit

Meaning
A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
Example
Eye rubbing is a harmful habit.
C1 noun /ˈhiːdəˌnɪzəm/

hedonism

Meaning
The pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence as the highest goal.
Example
The lifestyle of the rich is often criticized as pure hedonism.
B2 noun /heɪst/

Haste

Meaning
swiftness of motion; urgent need of quick action; excessive speed or urgency
Example
In his haste to catch the train, he forgot to take his wallet from the table.
C1 adjective /ˌhɑːrdˈhɑːrtɪd/

hard-hearted

Meaning
showing no kindness or sympathy; cruel
Example
The landlord was hard-hearted and refused to help the poor family.
C2 noun /ˈhʌvəl/

hovel

Meaning
a small, poorly built, and dirty house
Example
The refugees lived in a makeshift hovel.
C1 noun/verb /ˈhɛrəld/

herald

Meaning
A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something; to announce or signal.
Example
The blooming flowers herald the arrival of spring.
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.
C1 verb /ˈhæmpər/

hamper

Meaning
to hinder or impede the movement or progress of
Example
The heavy rain hampered our travel plans.
B1 adjective /ˈhoʊmləs/

homeless

Meaning
Without a home, and therefore typically living on the streets.
Example
The organization helps homeless people find shelter.
A2 verb /ˈhɜːri/

hurry

Meaning
to move or act with great speed; to rush
Example
We need to hurry or we'll be late.
B2 adjective /ˈhɪli/

hilly

Meaning
having many hills; characterized by hills or slopes
Example
The village is located in a beautiful hilly region.
C1 noun /huːf/

Hoof

Meaning
the hard part covering the foot of horses, cattle, sheep, and other animals
Example
The horse's hoof was injured after stepping on a sharp rock.
C1 verb ˈhɪndər

hinder

Meaning
To obstruct or delay the progress of something
Example
Excessive rain hinders vegetable growth.
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.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːr.bɪn.dʒər/

Harbinger

Meaning
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another; a forerunner of something
Example
The first robin of spring is often considered a harbinger of warmer weather to come.
C1 adjective /hɔːrs/

Hoarse

Meaning
rough or harsh in sound; having a rough voice from shouting or illness
Example
His voice became hoarse after shouting at the concert.
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 /ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/

herbicide

Meaning
A chemical substance used to kill unwanted plants, especially weeds.
Example
Farmers used herbicide to protect their crops from invasive weeds.
C2 noun /ˈhæŋ.kər.ɪŋ/

hankering

Meaning
a strong desire or craving for something.
Example
She had a hankering for chocolate late at night.
C2 adjective /ˌhɜːrkjʊˈliːən/

herculean

Meaning
Requiring great strength or effort; very difficult to perform.
Example
It was a herculean task to rebuild the city after the disaster.