hearten
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C2 verb /ˈhɑːrtən/

hearten

Meaning
To give courage, confidence, or hope.
Example
The teacher’s encouragement heartened the students.
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.
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.
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 /hɪˈroʊɪk/

heroic

Meaning
showing great bravery or courage; relating to a hero or heroes
Example
The firefighter made a heroic effort to save the child.
A2 verb /haɪd/

hide

Meaning
to put or keep out of sight; to conceal from view
Example
Children like to hide during games.
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.
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.
C2 noun /ˌɒnəˈreəriəm/

honorarium

Meaning
A payment given for professional services that are rendered without a fee.
Example
The guest lecturer received an honorarium for her talk.
B2 adjective /ˈhɒs.taɪl/

Hostile

Meaning
unfriendly; aggressive; antagonistic;
Example
The hostile environment made it difficult to work.
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 noun /ˈhɜːrniə/

hernia

Meaning
A medical condition where an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue holding it in place.
Example
The doctor diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia.
C1 noun /ˈhɔːr.nət/

Hornet

Meaning
a large wasp that can sting and is often aggressive
Example
The hornet built its nest under the roof.
B2 noun, adjective /hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛəriən/

humanitarian

Meaning
A person who seeks to promote human welfare, or something relating to human welfare and compassion.
Example
The organization provides humanitarian aid to disaster victims.
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.
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 adjective /ˈhoʊmli/

Homely

Meaning
simple and comfortable; unpretentious; plain in appearance; cozy and familiar
Example
She enjoyed the homely atmosphere of the small café.
A1 interjection /haɪ/

hi

Meaning
a friendly greeting used when meeting someone
Example
Hi, it's nice to meet you!
C2 noun /ˈhɪlək/

hillock

Meaning
A small hill or mound.
Example
The children climbed up the grassy hillock to watch the sunset.
B1 noun /ˈhaʊswaɪf/

housewife

Meaning
a married woman who manages a household and whose main occupation is caring for her family and home
Example
She chose to work as a housewife while raising her children.
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 adjective; past participle /ˈɒnəd/

honoured

Meaning
treated with respect or distinction; feeling proud and privileged
Example
She felt deeply honoured to receive the award.
C1 verb /ˈhæmpər/

hamper

Meaning
to hinder or impede the movement or progress of
Example
The heavy rain hampered our travel plans.
C2 adjective /ˌhæɡ.i.əˈɡræf.ɪk/

hagiographic

Meaning
Excessively flattering or idealized, often in a biography or portrayal of someone.
Example
The documentary was criticized for its hagiographic portrayal of the leader.
B1 noun /ˈhɛlθˌkɛər/

healthcare

Meaning
the organized provision of medical care to people
Example
The country invested heavily in healthcare to improve public health.
B1 noun /ˈhɛlθˌkɛər/

health-care

Meaning
the organized provision of medical services to maintain or improve health
Example
Access to quality health-care is essential for every citizen.
C1 noun /ˈhɛzɪtəns/

hesitance

Meaning
The quality or state of being reluctant or uncertain.
Example
Her hesitance to speak up delayed the decision.
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.
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 /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.
B1 noun /ˈhjuː.mər/

humor

Meaning
The quality of being amusing or entertaining.
Example
His sense of humor always lightens the mood.
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.
A1 adverb /haʊ/

how

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

haul

Meaning
to pull or drag something heavy with effort
Example
The workers hauled the boxes into the truck.
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.
A2 verb /hɜːrt/

hurt

Meaning
to cause pain or injury; to feel pain physically or emotionally
Example
My back hurts from sitting too long.
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 ˈhɪn.drəns

hindrance

Meaning
Something that creates difficulties or delays in progress.
Example
Lack of funds was a major hindrance to the project.
B1 adverb /ˈhoʊpfəli/

hopefully

Meaning
in a hopeful manner; expressing hope or optimism
Example
Hopefully, the weather will be nice tomorrow.
A2 noun /hɛn/

Hen

Meaning
female chicken
Example
The hen laid fresh eggs in the nest.
C1 adjective /hɪpˈnɒtɪk/

hypnotic

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

Hazy

Meaning
covered with haze; unclear or vague; lacking clarity
Example
The mountain tops were hazy in the morning mist.
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.
C1 adverb /ˈhɛdˌlɔŋ/

headlong

Meaning
With the head leading; in a rush or without thinking.
Example
She rushed headlong into the new project.
C1 adjective /ˌhɒməˈdʒiːniəs/

homogeneous

Meaning
Of the same kind; alike.
Example
The team was not homogeneous in their skills.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪdʒæk/

hijack

Meaning
to take control of a vehicle or situation illegally or by force
Example
The criminals attempted to hijack the airplane.
C2 adjective /həˈmɑː.lə.ɡəs/

homologous

Meaning
Having the same relation, relative position, or structure, especially due to evolutionary origin.
Example
The wings of bats and the arms of humans are homologous structures.
C2 noun /ˈhɛdʒɪrə/ or /hɪˈdʒaɪrə/

hegira

Meaning
a journey, especially when undertaken to escape from a dangerous or undesirable situation
Example
The refugees began their hegira across the desert.
B1 noun /hjuːˈmænɪti/

humanity

Meaning
the quality of being human; kindness or compassion towards others; all human beings collectively
Example
Kindness is one of the greatest expressions of humanity.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛlθfəl/

healthful

Meaning
Promoting good health; beneficial to health.
Example
A healthful diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
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 adjective /ˈhɑːrmləs/

Harmless

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

harangue

Meaning
to deliver a long, passionate, and often angry speech
Example
The politician harangued the crowd for over an hour.
C1 adjective /ˌhæpi ɡoʊ ˈlʌki/

happy-go-lucky

Meaning
cheerfully unconcerned about the future; carefree
Example
She has a happy-go-lucky attitude and never worries about tomorrow.
C1 noun /ˈhiːdənɪst/

hedonist

Meaning
A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life.
Example
She was called a hedonist because she always prioritized enjoyment over duty.
C1 noun /haɪˈeɪtəs/

hiatus

Meaning
A pause or break in continuity of a process or activity.
Example
The show returned after a long hiatus.
B1 adjective hɪˈstɔːrɪk

historic

Meaning
Famous or significant in history, or potentially so.
Example
Victory Day is a historic moment for Bangladesh.
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.
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.
C1 noun /ˈhɛksəˌɡɒn/

hexagon

Meaning
A six-sided polygon.
Example
A honeycomb cell is shaped like a hexagon.
B2 noun /ˈhæb.ɪ.tæt/

habitat

Meaning
The natural environment where an organism lives and meets its needs.
Example
The polar bear's natural habitat is the Arctic region.
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.
C1 adjective /hɜːrˈbɪv.ər.əs/

Herbivorous

Meaning
feeding on plants; plant-eating
Example
Cows are herbivorous animals that graze on grass.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪpəkəˈnektɪvɪti/

hyperconnectivity

Meaning
The state of being extensively connected to other people, places, information, etc., through digital technology.
Example
Hyperconnectivity has changed the dynamics of human interaction.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
C1 noun /ˈhʌbʌb/

hubbub

Meaning
a loud noise caused by a crowd of people talking or shouting
Example
There was a hubbub in the market as the sale began.
C2 verb /hjuː/

hew

Meaning
To chop or cut something, especially wood or stone, with a tool.
Example
The workers hewed logs to build the cabin.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈhoʊmləs/

homeless

Meaning
Without a home, and therefore typically living on the streets.
Example
The organization helps homeless people find shelter.
B1 verb /ˈhaɪˌlaɪt/

highlight

Meaning
to emphasize or make something stand out
Example
The teacher highlighted the most important points in the text.
B1 adjective /ˈhɪd.ən/

Hidden

Meaning
concealed from view; kept secret; not visible or apparent
Example
There was a hidden camera in the room.
C2 verb /ˈhɜːrtl/

hurtle

Meaning
To move or cause to move at great speed, often in a dangerous way.
Example
The car hurtled down the mountain road.
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.
B2 noun /ˈheɪ.trəd/

Hatred

Meaning
intense dislike or ill will; a feeling of strong aversion
Example
His hatred for injustice motivated him to become a human rights lawyer.
C2 adjective /hɛkˈsæŋɡjələr/

hexangular

Meaning
Having six angles or corners.
Example
The artist designed a hexangular frame for the mirror.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /hɜːrˈbeɪʃəs/

herbaceous

Meaning
Relating to or resembling herbs; plants with soft, non-woody stems.
Example
The garden was filled with herbaceous plants that thrived in the summer.
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.
C2 noun /ˈhæbɪtjuːd/

habitude

Meaning
a customary condition or mode of life; habitual practice
Example
He lived in a quiet habitude, avoiding the noise of the city.
C1 verb /ˈhʌsəl/

hustle

Meaning
to move quickly and energetically; to push or work hard to achieve something
Example
She had to hustle to finish the project on time.
C2 noun /ˈhɒdʒ.pɒdʒ/

hodgepodge

Meaning
A confusing mixture of different things; a jumble.
Example
The essay was a hodgepodge of unrelated ideas.
B2 adjective /hɑːrʃ/

Harsh

Meaning
unpleasantly hard or rough in texture; cruel or severe
Example
The teacher gave harsh criticism about my work.
C1 adjective /ˌhɛtərəˈʤiːniəs/

heterogeneous

Meaning
consisting of different kinds or diverse elements
Example
The classroom was filled with a heterogeneous group of students.
A1 noun /ˈaʊər/

hour

Meaning
A period of time equal to 60 minutes.
Example
The meeting lasted for two hours.
A2 noun /hɑːrt/

Heart

Meaning
the organ in the chest that pumps blood through the body; the center of emotions and feelings
Example
The doctor listened to my heart with a stethoscope.
B2 noun /ˈhɑːr.bər/

Harbour

Meaning
a place on the coast where vessels may find shelter; a place of safety or refuge
Example
The fishing boats returned safely to the harbour before the storm hit the coastline.
B1 noun /ˈɒnɪsti/

honesty

Meaning
the quality of being truthful and sincere
Example
Honesty is the best policy in all situations.
B2 verb /həˈræs/

harass

Meaning
to persistently annoy or torment someone
Example
The employees complained that their boss harassed them.
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.
B2 verb /hætʃ/

hatch

Meaning
to emerge from an egg; to devise or create a plan
Example
The bird will hatch from its egg soon.
C1 noun /hɪm/

hymn

Meaning
A religious song or poem of praise to God or a deity.
Example
The congregation sang a hymn during the morning service.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪdrə/

hydra

Meaning
a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology; a problem that seems to grow worse when attempts are made to solve it
Example
Corruption is like a hydra, hard to defeat completely.
C1 noun ˌhaɪ.drəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈsaɪ.kəl

hydrological cycle

Meaning
The cycle of processes by which water circulates between the earth's oceans, atmosphere, and land.
Example
The hydrological cycle ensures continuous water movement in nature.
C2 noun /ˈhɛfər/

heifer

Meaning
a young cow that has not borne a calf
Example
The farmer raised a heifer for dairy production.
C2 noun /ˈhæk.ni ˈkær.ɪdʒ/

Hackney carriage

Meaning
A taxi; a car licensed to carry passengers for hire
Example
I called a hackney carriage to get to the airport.
C1 noun /həˌluː.sɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Hallucination

Meaning
an experience involving the apparent perception of something not present; a false or distorted perception
Example
The patient experienced visual hallucinations as a side effect of the medication.
B2 adjective /hɪˈstɛrɪkəl/

hysterical

Meaning
Extremely funny or uncontrollably emotional.
Example
The comedian's jokes were absolutely hysterical.
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 noun /ˈhɒthɛd/

hothead

Meaning
a person who acts quickly and without thinking when angry
Example
He is such a hothead that he often starts arguments.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑːrtˌbreɪkɪŋ/

Heartbreaking

Meaning
causing overwhelming distress; very sad or disappointing
Example
The documentary showed heartbreaking scenes of children in poverty.
B1 noun /ˈhæŋ.kər.tʃɪf/

Handkerchief

Meaning
a small piece of cloth used for wiping the nose or face
Example
She always carries a clean handkerchief in her purse.
C1 verb /hiːd/

heed

Meaning
to pay attention to; to take notice of
Example
You should heed the teacher's advice.
C2 noun /oʊˈtɜːr/

hauteur

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

heptagon

Meaning
A polygon with seven sides and seven angles.
Example
The math teacher drew a heptagon on the board.
A2 noun /ˈheəkʌt/

haircut

Meaning
the act or style of cutting hair
Example
I got a haircut before the wedding.
B2 noun /ˈhɔːr.ər/

Horror

Meaning
an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust; something that causes such feelings
Example
The survivors described the horror of the earthquake that destroyed their entire village.
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.
B2 noun /ˈhænd.fʊl/

Handful

Meaning
a quantity that fills the hand; a small number or amount; something difficult to control
Example
She grabbed a handful of nuts from the bowl before heading out for her walk.
C1 adjective /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/

halting

Meaning
slow and hesitant, especially due to lack of confidence
Example
She gave a halting reply during the interview.
C2 adjective /ˈhoʊm.spʌn/

homespun

Meaning
Simple and unsophisticated; made at home rather than in a factory.
Example
She wore a homespun dress to the village festival.
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.
C2 noun /ˈheɪ.deɪ/

Hey day

Meaning
the period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, or vigor; prime time
Example
During her heyday as a singer, she performed in sold-out concerts around the world.
C2 noun /ˈhʌk.stər/

huckster

Meaning
A person who sells small items aggressively, often in a showy or dishonest way.
Example
The huckster loudly promoted his goods in the busy marketplace.
B2 adjective /ˈhoʊm.sɪk/

Homesick

Meaning
experiencing a longing for one's home during a period of absence from it; missing home
Example
After three months studying abroad, Maria felt increasingly homesick for her family.