hesitance
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C1 noun /ˈhɛzɪtəns/

hesitance

Meaning
The quality or state of being reluctant or uncertain.
Example
Her hesitance to speak up delayed the decision.
A2 verb /haɪd/

hide

Meaning
to put or keep out of sight; to conceal from view
Example
Children like to hide during games.
A1 noun /ˈhʌzbənd/

husband

Meaning
A married man regarded in relation to his spouse.
Example
Her husband is very supportive of her career.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈhelp.fəl/

Helpful

Meaning
giving or providing assistance; useful; beneficial
Example
She was very helpful in organizing the event.
C1 noun /ˈhæv.ək/

Havoc

Meaning
widespread destruction; great confusion or disorder; chaos
Example
The hurricane wreaked havoc on the coastal towns, destroying homes and businesses.
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.
C2 noun /ˈhɛfər/

heifer

Meaning
a young cow that has not borne a calf
Example
The farmer raised a heifer for dairy production.
C1 noun /ˈhɛrəsi/

heresy

Meaning
belief or opinion that goes against established religious doctrine or accepted beliefs.
Example
In medieval times, heresy was often punished severely.
B1 adverb /ˌhæfˈweɪ/

halfway

Meaning
at or to a point equal in distance between two points
Example
We met halfway between the two towns.
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.
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 /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.
C2 noun /ˈhæŋ.kər.ɪŋ/

hankering

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

Hazy

Meaning
covered with haze; unclear or vague; lacking clarity
Example
The mountain tops were hazy in the morning mist.
C1 adjective /ˌhaɪəˈrɑː.kɪ.kəl/

hierarchical

Meaning
arranged in order of rank or authority
Example
The company has a strict hierarchical structure.
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.
C2 noun /ˈhʌstɪŋz/

hustings

Meaning
the political campaigning and speeches before an election
Example
The candidate gained popularity during the hustings.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪbərˌneɪt/

hibernate

Meaning
To spend the winter in a dormant state, as some animals do.
Example
Bears hibernate in caves during the winter.
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 adjective /hjuːˈmeɪn/

humane

Meaning
Showing compassion or benevolence.
Example
The doctor provided humane treatment to the injured animals.
B2 adjective /ˈheɪsti/

Hasty

Meaning
done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; hurried
Example
Don't make hasty decisions when you're angry.
A1 verb /hæv/

have

Meaning
to possess, own, or hold
Example
They have three children.
C1 noun /heɪz/

Haze

Meaning
a slight obscuration of the lower atmosphere, typically caused by fine suspended particles; confusion
Example
The morning haze lifted gradually as the sun rose higher in the sky.
C1 noun /ˈhjuːbrɪs/

hubris

Meaning
excessive pride or self-confidence
Example
His hubris led to his downfall.
B2 noun /ˌhez.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

Hesitation

Meaning
the action of pausing or delaying; uncertainty or unwillingness to act
Example
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to accept the challenging job offer from the company.
B2 noun /ˈhɑːrd.ʃɪp/

Hardship

Meaning
severe suffering or privation; difficulty or distress
Example
Despite facing many hardships during the war, the family remained united and hopeful.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈhɑːrmfəl/

Harmful

Meaning
causing or likely to cause harm; damaging
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health.
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/verb /ˈhɛmərɪdʒ/

hemorrhage

Meaning
A significant loss of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, or to lose blood heavily.
Example
The patient suffered a severe brain hemorrhage.
B1 adjective /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/

historical

Meaning
Related to history or past events.
Example
The museum has a large collection of historical documents.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrdi/

hardy

Meaning
Strong, robust, and capable of enduring difficult conditions.
Example
Hardy plants can survive the harsh winter.
C2 noun /ˈhaɪərlɪŋ/

hireling

Meaning
A person who works for payment only, often with little loyalty or principle.
Example
The mercenary was dismissed as just a hireling with no real loyalty.
C1 noun /ˈhɑː.mɪ.saɪd/

Homicide

Meaning
the deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another; murder
Example
The detective was assigned to investigate the homicide that occurred downtown last night.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpərˈkrɪtɪkl/

hypercritical

Meaning
Excessively or unreasonably critical.
Example
The teacher was often hypercritical of small mistakes.
B2 adjective ˈhæzədəs

hazardous

Meaning
Dangerous, risky, or potentially harmful
Example
Hazardous pollutants increase health risks.
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 /ˌhɪstriˈɒnɪk/

histrionic

Meaning
Overly dramatic or theatrical in behavior or style.
Example
Her histrionic reaction to the small problem surprised everyone.
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.
C1 verb /ˈhæmpər/

hamper

Meaning
to hinder or impede the movement or progress of
Example
The heavy rain hampered our travel plans.
B2 noun helθ ˈhæzərdz

health hazards

Meaning
Risks or dangers to physical health and well-being that can cause illness or injury.
Example
Plastic usage leads to significant health hazards.
C2 verb /ˈhɛktər/

hector

Meaning
To talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.
Example
The manager hectored the staff into working overtime.
B2 noun /həˈraɪ.zən/

horizon

Meaning
the line where the earth seems to meet the sky; the limit of one's knowledge, experience, or interest
Example
The sun disappeared below the horizon.
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.
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.
B2 adjective /hɑːrʃ/

Harsh

Meaning
unpleasantly hard or rough in texture; cruel or severe
Example
The teacher gave harsh criticism about my work.
C2 noun /ˈhoʊl.stər/

holster

Meaning
A holder or case for carrying a gun, typically worn on a belt or shoulder.
Example
The sheriff kept his revolver in a leather holster.
C2 noun /ˈhɒɡz.hɛd/

hogshead

Meaning
A large cask or barrel, traditionally used for storing liquids like wine or beer.
Example
The cellar was filled with hogsheads of ale.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈhoʊli/

Holy

Meaning
sacred; dedicated to God or religious purposes; morally and spiritually excellent
Example
The holy shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.
B1 noun /ˈhɛdˌlaɪn/

headline

Meaning
The title of a newspaper article printed in large letters.
Example
The scandal made front-page headlines.
C1 adjective /ˌhɪpəˈkrɪtɪkəl/

Hypocritical

Meaning
behaving in a way that contradicts one's stated beliefs or values
Example
It's hypocritical to preach honesty while lying yourself.
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.
C1 adjective /hɜːrˈbɪv.ər.əs/

Herbivorous

Meaning
feeding on plants; plant-eating
Example
Cows are herbivorous animals that graze on grass.
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 adjective /ˈhæŋ.dɔːɡ/

hangdog

Meaning
looking or feeling ashamed, guilty, or defeated.
Example
He gave me a hangdog look after being caught lying.
C2 noun /haɪˈdrɒl.ɪ.sɪs/

hydrolysis

Meaning
A chemical process that breaks down compounds by adding water, splitting complex molecules into simpler forms.
Example
Hydrolysis breaks down complex molecules into simpler forms.
C2 verb /haɪ/

hie

Meaning
to go quickly; hasten
Example
He hied to the station to catch the train.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈhæb.ɪ.tə.bəl/

Habitable

Meaning
suitable or good enough to live in
Example
The planet Mars may become habitable in the future.
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.
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.
B1 noun /ˈhev.ən/

Heaven

Meaning
a place regarded in various religions as the abode of God and the angels; a place of eternal happiness
Example
Many people believe that good souls go to heaven after they pass away from this world.
A2 noun /hɒt drɪŋk/

Hot-drink

Meaning
a warm or heated beverage consumed for refreshment or comfort
Example
I prefer a hot drink like tea or coffee in the morning.
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 adjective /ˈhæk.nid/

hackneyed

Meaning
Used too often and therefore lacking originality or freshness.
Example
The speech was filled with hackneyed phrases that failed to inspire the audience.
B2 noun /hʌm/

Hum

Meaning
a low continuous sound; to make a low continuous droning sound
Example
The constant hum of the air conditioner helped her fall asleep peacefully.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A1 pronoun /hɜːrz/

hers

Meaning
used to refer to something that belongs to or is associated with a female person previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example
That blue bag is hers.
C1 verb /hɔːl/

haul

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

health

Meaning
The state of being free from illness or injury.
Example
Exercise is important for good health.
C1 verb /ˈhɪpnətaɪz/

hypnotize

Meaning
to put someone into a state of hypnosis; to influence someone's mind deeply
Example
The magician tried to hypnotize the audience.
A2 noun /ˈhæn.dəl/

Handle

Meaning
the part by which a thing is held, carried, or controlled; to manage or deal with something
Example
The suitcase has a sturdy handle that makes it easy to carry through the airport.
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 /ˈheɪˌdeɪ/

heyday

Meaning
The period of greatest success, popularity, or power.
Example
In its heyday, the company dominated the market.
B2 noun /ˈhæs.əl/

Hassle

Meaning
irritating inconvenience; trouble or difficulty; a situation causing problems
Example
Booking tickets online can save you the hassle of waiting in long queues at the theater.
A2 noun /hɔːl/

Hall

Meaning
a large room for meetings, concerts, or other events; a corridor in a building
Example
The graduation ceremony was held in the main hall of the university.
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.
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.
C2 noun /haɪnd/

Hind

Meaning
a female deer, especially a red deer
Example
The hind protected her fawn from predators.
C2 noun /hoʊ/

Hoe

Meaning
a gardening tool with a thin metal blade used for breaking up soil and removing weeds
Example
The farmer used a hoe to remove weeds from his vegetable garden.
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 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.
B2 noun /ˈhaʊs boʊt/

House boat

Meaning
a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home
Example
They spent their vacation on a beautiful house boat in the lake.
B1 noun /ˈhʌŋɡər/

hunger

Meaning
the feeling of discomfort caused by lack of food
Example
The child cried out of hunger.
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 /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.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrpɪŋ/

harping

Meaning
continuously talking or complaining about something in a tiresome way
Example
She kept harping on about the mistakes I made.
C2 noun /hæɡ/

Hag

Meaning
an ugly old woman, especially a vicious or malicious one; a witch
Example
In the fairy tale, the wicked hag lived alone in a cottage deep in the forest.
A1 interjection /hɑː/

ha

Meaning
used to express amusement, surprise, or triumph
Example
Ha! I knew you couldn’t resist joining us.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrtˌrɛndɪŋ/

heartrending

Meaning
Causing great sadness or distress; very moving emotionally.
Example
The documentary showed heartrending scenes of war victims.
C2 noun /ˈhɔːrn.bɪl/

Hornbill

Meaning
a large tropical bird with a large curved beak and often a horn-like projection
Example
The colorful hornbill perched on the highest branch.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdrəˈstætɪks/

hydrostatics

Meaning
The branch of science concerned with the mechanical properties of fluids at rest.
Example
Hydrostatics is essential in understanding how dams and reservoirs function.
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.
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.
C1 verb /hɜːrl/

hurl

Meaning
To throw something with great force.
Example
The boy hurled a stone into the river.
B2 adjective /hɪˈstɛrɪkəl/

hysterical

Meaning
Extremely funny or uncontrollably emotional.
Example
The comedian's jokes were absolutely hysterical.
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.
A1 pronoun /hɪm/

him

Meaning
Used to refer to a male person or animal already mentioned.
Example
I saw him at the park yesterday.
B2 verb /hɔːlt/

halt

Meaning
to stop or bring to a stop
Example
The train suddenly halted at the station.
C1 noun (plural) /ˈhɪntərlændz/

hinterlands

Meaning
Plural of hinterland; remote or less developed regions.
Example
Explorers traveled deep into the hinterlands of the country.
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 noun ˈhɛroʊˌɪzəm

heroism

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

hapless

Meaning
unfortunate, unlucky, deserving pity
Example
The hapless traveler lost his passport on the very first day.
B2 noun /ˈɑːnər/

honor

Meaning
high respect; great esteem
Example
He received an award in honor of his achievements.
C2 adjective /haɪˈbɜːrnəl/

hibernal

Meaning
Relating to or occurring in winter.
Example
The hibernal season is often harsh in the mountains.
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 /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.
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 /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.
C2 noun /ˈhæknɪ/

hackney

Meaning
a horse kept for ordinary riding or hire; also used for something overused or trite
Example
The old hackney was still pulling the carriage.
C1 verb /ˈhæɡəl/

haggle

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

homogeneous

Meaning
Of the same kind; alike.
Example
The team was not homogeneous in their skills.
A2 noun /ˈhɒki/

hockey

Meaning
a sport played with sticks and a ball or puck on ice or a field
Example
He plays hockey for the national team.