historical
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B1 adjective /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/

historical

Meaning
Related to history or past events.
Example
The museum has a large collection of historical documents.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈɑːnɪst/

honest

Meaning
free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere
Example
She is known as an honest and trustworthy person.
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.
C1 adverb /ˈhɑr.tɪ.li/

Heartily

Meaning
in a sincere and enthusiastic manner; wholeheartedly
Example
She heartily welcomed her guests to the party.
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.
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.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌhæfˈbeɪkt/

half-baked

Meaning
poorly thought out or badly planned
Example
The manager quickly rejected his half-baked proposal.
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 adjective /ˈheɪt.fəl/

Hateful

Meaning
causing or deserving hatred; extremely unpleasant or offensive
Example
His hateful comments hurt everyone's feelings.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈhær.oʊ.ɪŋ/

harrowing

Meaning
extremely distressing or upsetting
Example
It was a harrowing experience to witness the accident.
B1 noun /ˈhændˌraɪ.tɪŋ/

handwriting

Meaning
the style or manner of writing by hand.
Example
Her handwriting is very neat and easy to read.
C2 adverb /hərˈmɛtɪkli/

hermetically

Meaning
In a way that is completely airtight or sealed off.
Example
The jars were hermetically sealed to preserve freshness.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɔːri/

hortatory

Meaning
Intended to encourage or urge to action.
Example
The manager’s hortatory words inspired the team to work harder.
B2 adjective /hɪˈlɛəriəs/

hilarious

Meaning
Extremely funny or amusing.
Example
The comedian told a hilarious story that had everyone laughing.
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.
C1 noun ˈhaɪ.drə.dʒən ˈpaʊ.əd bʌsɪz

hydrogen-powered buses

Meaning
Buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells that produce only water vapor as emission.
Example
Hydrogen-powered buses reduce air pollution.
C2 verb /ˈhɛktər/

hector

Meaning
To talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.
Example
The manager hectored the staff into working overtime.
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 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.
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 /ˌhjuː.mɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

humification

Meaning
The process of organic matter decomposition to form humus in soil.
Example
Humification enhances soil structure and fertility.
B2 adjective ˈhæzədəs

hazardous

Meaning
Dangerous, risky, or potentially harmful
Example
Hazardous pollutants increase health risks.
B1 noun /ˈhaɪ.weɪ/

highway

Meaning
A main road, especially one connecting major towns or cities.
Example
The highway was blocked due to an accident.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrtˌrɛndɪŋ/

heartrending

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

heteromorphic

Meaning
Having different forms or shapes, especially in the same species or organism.
Example
Butterflies are heteromorphic during their life cycle, changing forms from larva to adult.
C2 verb /haɪ/

hie

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

high-flown

Meaning
Using fancy or pretentious language; lofty in style but often overblown.
Example
The politician gave a high-flown speech full of promises.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛlθfəl/

healthful

Meaning
Promoting good health; beneficial to health.
Example
A healthful diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
C1 noun ˌhaɪ.droʊˈpɒn.ɪks

hydroponics

Meaning
Growing plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil.
Example
Hydroponics allows crops to grow without soil.
C2 noun /ˌhoʊ.mi.oʊˈsteɪ.sɪs/

homeostasis

Meaning
The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Example
The human body maintains homeostasis through temperature regulation.
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.
B2 noun /hʌb/

hub

Meaning
the central part of a place or activity where things converge
Example
The city is the hub of the country's trade network.
C2 verb /həˈbɪtʃuˌeɪt/

habituate

Meaning
to make someone accustomed to something
Example
The monks habituated themselves to meditation.
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.
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 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.
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 /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 /ˈhʌm.ək/

hummock

Meaning
A small hill, mound, or ridge of earth or ice.
Example
The hikers rested on a grassy hummock by the river.
C2 noun /ˈhɪl.sə fɪʃ/

Hilsa fish

Meaning
a popular fish species found in South Asian rivers, especially prized in Bengali cuisine
Example
Hilsa fish is considered a delicacy in Bengali culture.
C1 noun /hɔːrd/

horde

Meaning
A large group or crowd, especially one that is disorderly or difficult to control.
Example
A horde of fans gathered outside the stadium.
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.
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.
C1 noun /hɪˈstɪəriə/

hysteria

Meaning
An uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrational behavior.
Example
The crowd was in a state of hysteria during the concert.
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 /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.
C1 noun /hoʊks/

Hoax

Meaning
a humorous or malicious deception; something intended to trick or deceive people
Example
The news about aliens landing turned out to be an elaborate hoax created by pranksters.
C2 adjective /ˈhʌmdrʌm/

humdrum

Meaning
Lacking excitement or variety; dull and monotonous.
Example
She grew tired of the humdrum routine of office life.
C1 noun /hjuː/

hue

Meaning
A color or shade.
Example
The artist chose a soft blue hue for the background.
A1 verb /hoʊld/

hold

Meaning
to grasp or carry something; to maintain a position
Example
Please hold my hand.
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.
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 /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.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːbəl/

hobble

Meaning
to walk awkwardly with difficulty, usually due to injury
Example
He hobbled across the room after twisting his ankle.
B1 noun /hel/

Hell

Meaning
a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering; an extremely unpleasant experience
Example
Working in the factory during summer was absolute hell due to the extreme heat.
C1 noun /ˈhed.weɪ/

Headway

Meaning
forward movement or progress, especially when this is slow or difficult
Example
Despite the challenges, the research team made significant headway in developing the new vaccine.
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.
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 /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 noun /hɪpˈnoʊsɪs/

hypnosis

Meaning
A trance-like state of consciousness usually induced by suggestion.
Example
She underwent hypnosis to overcome her fear of flying.
C1 noun (plural) /ˈhɪntərlændz/

hinterlands

Meaning
Plural of hinterland; remote or less developed regions.
Example
Explorers traveled deep into the hinterlands of the country.
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.
B2 adverb /ˈhev.ɪ.li/

Heavily

Meaning
with great weight; to a great degree; intensely
Example
It rained heavily throughout the night.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈhɛl.θi/

healthy

Meaning
Good physical and mental condition, free from disease or illness.
Example
Regular exercise and a balanced diet keep the body healthy.
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.
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.
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.
A1 pronoun /hɜːr/

her

Meaning
used to refer to a female person or animal already mentioned or easily identified
Example
I saw her at the park yesterday.
A1 noun /ˈaʊər/

hour

Meaning
A period of time equal to 60 minutes.
Example
The meeting lasted for two hours.
C1 adjective /hɜːrˈbɪv.ər.əs/

Herbivorous

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

Helm

Meaning
a tiller or wheel for steering a ship or boat; a position of leadership or control
Example
The experienced captain took the helm and expertly navigated the ship through the storm.
C1 noun /ˈhjuːbrɪs/

hubris

Meaning
excessive pride or self-confidence
Example
His hubris led to his downfall.
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 adjective /ˈhez.ɪ.tənt/

Hesitant

Meaning
uncertain or unwilling to act; showing doubt or reluctance
Example
She was hesitant to accept the job offer.
A1 interjection /hɑː/

ha

Meaning
used to express amusement, surprise, or triumph
Example
Ha! I knew you couldn’t resist joining us.
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.
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.
A2 noun ˈhɪrəʊ

hero

Meaning
A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
Example
Sydney Carton becomes the ultimate hero through his sacrifice.
A2 interjection /hʌ/

huh

Meaning
used to express confusion, surprise, or that you did not hear something
Example
Huh? What did you say?
A1 noun /ˈhɒlɪdeɪ/

holiday

Meaning
A day of celebration or rest when most people do not work.
Example
We are planning a trip during the summer holiday.
B2 verb /ˈhɑːrnɪs/

harness

Meaning
To control and make use of natural resources, especially energy.
Example
Scientists are working to harness solar power effectively.
C1 verb /ˈhjuːmənaɪz/

humanize

Meaning
To make something more humane, kind, or relatable.
Example
The teacher tried to humanize the lesson with personal stories.
A1 noun, adjective /hæf/

half

Meaning
one of two equal parts of something
Example
He ate half of the cake.
B2 noun /ˈhaɪdrədʒən/

hydrogen

Meaning
a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas that is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe
Example
Hydrogen is used as a clean fuel in many energy systems.
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 /ˈhaʊsˌbreɪkɪŋ/

housebreaking

Meaning
the crime of breaking into a house with intent to steal
Example
The thief was arrested for housebreaking.
C1 adjective /ˈhæpləs/

hapless

Meaning
unfortunate, unlucky, deserving pity
Example
The hapless traveler lost his passport on the very first day.
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.
A2 verb /hɑːrm/

harm

Meaning
to cause damage, injury, or hurt to someone or something
Example
Smoking can harm your health.
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.
C2 noun /hæˈʃiːʃ/

hashish

Meaning
a drug made from the resin of the cannabis plant
Example
The police arrested him for possessing hashish.
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.
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 ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl

hypothetical

Meaning
Based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true.
Example
The discussion was based on hypothetical scenarios.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌhaɪpərˈbɔːriən/

hyperborean

Meaning
Relating to the extreme north; very cold or frigid.
Example
The explorers prepared for the hyperborean climate of the Arctic.
A1 pronoun /hɪz/

his

Meaning
belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned
Example
This is his book on the table.
C2 adjective/noun /ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk/

hieroglyphic

Meaning
Relating to or written in hieroglyphs; symbols or writing that is difficult to understand.
Example
The archaeologists studied the hieroglyphic inscriptions carefully.
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.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /haɪˈbɜːrnəl/

hibernal

Meaning
Relating to or occurring in winter.
Example
The hibernal season is often harsh in the mountains.
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.
A2 verb /ˈhɜːri/

hurry

Meaning
to move or act with great speed; to rush
Example
We need to hurry or we'll be late.
A1 verb /hoʊp/

hope

Meaning
to expect and desire that something will happen
Example
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
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.
B1 verb /ˈɒnər/

honour

Meaning
to show respect; to keep a promise
Example
We honour our veterans for their service.
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 verb /hɔːrd/

hoard

Meaning
to accumulate and hide away a large supply of something, often secretly
Example
During the crisis, many people began to hoard food and water.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈhoʊpfəl/

Hopeful

Meaning
feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event; confident; optimistic
Example
He remained hopeful despite the challenges.
C2 verb /ˈhɛnˌpɛk/

henpeck

Meaning
To continually criticize, nag, or dominate (especially a husband).
Example
He felt henpecked by his overly controlling wife.
C1 noun /ˈhɪpnətɪzəm/

hypnotism

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