Hole
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A2 noun /hoʊl/

Hole

Meaning
a hollow place in a solid body or surface; an opening through something
Example
The dog dug a deep hole in the backyard to bury its favorite bone.
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 adjective /ˈhoʊmli/

Homely

Meaning
simple and comfortable; unpretentious; plain in appearance; cozy and familiar
Example
She enjoyed the homely atmosphere of the small café.
B2 adjective /hɪˈstɛrɪkəl/

hysterical

Meaning
Extremely funny or uncontrollably emotional.
Example
The comedian's jokes were absolutely hysterical.
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 /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.
B2 adjective /hɪˈlɛəriəs/

hilarious

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

hiatus

Meaning
A pause or break in continuity of a process or activity.
Example
The show returned after a long hiatus.
B2 adverb /hɪˈstɒrɪkli/

historically

Meaning
in a way that relates to history or past events
Example
Historically, this city was a major trade center.
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.
C2 verb /ˈhʊdwɪŋk/

hoodwink

Meaning
To deceive or trick someone.
Example
The scammer hoodwinked many people with false promises.
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.
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 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.
B2 noun /hʊd/

Hood

Meaning
the expandable neck region of certain snakes like cobras; a covering for the head
Example
The cobra spread its hood when it felt threatened.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɪv/

hortative

Meaning
Giving strong encouragement or urging.
Example
The teacher gave a hortative speech to motivate the students before the exam.
B1 noun /ˈhjuː.mər/

humor

Meaning
The quality of being amusing or entertaining.
Example
His sense of humor always lightens the mood.
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.
C2 noun /ˈhɔɪdən/

hoyden

Meaning
a boisterous or tomboyish girl
Example
The hoyden preferred climbing trees to playing with dolls.
B1 verb /hʊk/

hook

Meaning
to catch with a hook; to fasten
Example
He hooked the fish successfully.
C2 noun /ˌhɜːrpəˈtɒlədʒɪst/

herpetologist

Meaning
A scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians.
Example
The herpetologist discovered a new species of frog in the rainforest.
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 noun /ˈhæŋ.ər/

Hangar

Meaning
a large building with extensive floor area, typically for housing aircraft; an aircraft shelter
Example
The airplane was stored safely in the hangar during the severe thunderstorm.
B2 noun /haɪv/

Hive

Meaning
a structure in which bees live and produce honey; a place full of busy activity
Example
The garden was buzzing with activity as bees flew back and forth from their hive.
A1 noun, adjective /hæf/

half

Meaning
one of two equal parts of something
Example
He ate half of the cake.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪ.zi/

Hazy

Meaning
covered with haze; unclear or vague; lacking clarity
Example
The mountain tops were hazy in the morning mist.
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.
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 /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.
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.
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.
A1 adjective /ˈhæpi/

happy

Meaning
feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or joy
Example
She was very happy to receive the gift.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪndmoʊst/

hindmost

Meaning
Farthest back; last in position.
Example
The hindmost car in the convoy broke down first.
B1 noun /ˈhɔːlweɪ/

hallway

Meaning
a corridor in a building that connects rooms
Example
The kids left their shoes in the hallway.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ/

headstrong

Meaning
Determined to do what one wants, even if it is not sensible.
Example
The headstrong child refused to listen to anyone.
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.
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.
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.
C1 noun /ˈheɪvən/

haven

Meaning
a safe place or shelter
Example
The library became a haven for students during exams.
A2 adjective /ˈhelp.fəl/

Helpful

Meaning
giving or providing assistance; useful; beneficial
Example
She was very helpful in organizing the event.
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.
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.
B2 noun /ˌhɑː.spɪˈtæl.ə.ti/

Hospitality

Meaning
the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers
Example
The hotel staff's exceptional hospitality made our vacation truly memorable and enjoyable.
B1 adjective /ˈhɑːrmfəl/

Harmful

Meaning
causing or likely to cause harm; damaging
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health.
A2 verb /hɑːrm/

harm

Meaning
to cause damage, injury, or hurt to someone or something
Example
Smoking can harm your health.
A1 verb /hoʊp/

hope

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

hypercritical

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

hypothecate

Meaning
to pledge something, such as property, as security for a debt without giving up possession of it.
Example
The company hypothecated its assets to secure the loan.
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.
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 noun /ˈheɪl.stɔːrm/

Hailstorm

Meaning
a violent storm with hail falling from the sky
Example
The hailstorm damaged many cars in the parking lot.
C1 verb /ˈhɔːrɪfaɪ/

horrify

Meaning
to fill with horror; to shock or disgust greatly
Example
The violent scene horrified the audience.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪt.fəl/

Hateful

Meaning
causing or deserving hatred; extremely unpleasant or offensive
Example
His hateful comments hurt everyone's feelings.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ki ˈpæŋ.ki/

Hanky-Panky

Meaning
dishonest or suspicious activity; unethical behavior; trickery or deception
Example
The audit revealed some hanky-panky in the company's financial records.
B2 adjective /ˈhændi/

handy

Meaning
convenient to use or easily accessible; skillful with the hands
Example
This pocket knife is very handy when you go camping.
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 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.
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.
A1 noun /hæt/

Hat

Meaning
a covering for the head, typically with a brim and worn outdoors
Example
He always wears a hat when working in the garden.
C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɔːri/

hortatory

Meaning
Intended to encourage or urge to action.
Example
The manager’s hortatory words inspired the team to work harder.
C2 noun /ˈhʌvəl/

hovel

Meaning
a small, poorly built, and dirty house
Example
The refugees lived in a makeshift hovel.
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.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑːrti/

Hearty

Meaning
enthusiastic and friendly; substantial and nourishing
Example
He gave us a hearty welcome when we arrived at his home.
C1 verb /ˈhæɡəl/

haggle

Meaning
to argue about the price; to bargain persistently
Example
They haggled over the price for an hour.
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.
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.
A2 adjective /hjuːdʒ/

huge

Meaning
extremely large in size or amount
Example
The stadium was filled with a huge crowd.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈhɑːrmləs/

Harmless

Meaning
not able or likely to cause harm; innocent; safe
Example
The snake looks dangerous but it's actually harmless.
A1 noun, numeral /ˈhʌndrəd/

hundred

Meaning
the number 100
Example
There are a hundred students in the hall.
C1 adjective /ˌhɒməˈdʒiːniəs/

homogeneous

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

Heron

Meaning
large wading bird with long legs and neck that feeds on fish
Example
The heron stood motionless by the water's edge, waiting for fish.
C1 adjective /haɪˈdrɔːlɪk/

hydraulic

Meaning
operated by the pressure of liquid, especially water or oil
Example
The mechanic repaired the hydraulic system of the machine.
C2 noun /hɜːrˈbɛəriəm/

herbarium

Meaning
A collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study.
Example
The university maintains a large herbarium for research and education.
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.
A1 interjection /hɑː/

ha

Meaning
used to express amusement, surprise, or triumph
Example
Ha! I knew you couldn’t resist joining us.
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.
B1 noun /ˈhʌŋɡər/

hunger

Meaning
the feeling of discomfort caused by lack of food
Example
The child cried out of hunger.
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.
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.
C1 noun /hjuːˈmɪl.ɪ.ti/

humility

Meaning
The quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.
Example
She accepted the award with grace and humility.
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 /ˈhɛzɪtənsi/

hesitancy

Meaning
The tendency to pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear.
Example
His hesitancy in answering made everyone doubt his confidence.
C2 noun /haɪˈdrɒmɪtər/

hydrometer

Meaning
An instrument used to measure the density or specific gravity of liquids.
Example
The brewer used a hydrometer to test the sugar content of the solution.
B2 noun /er/

Heir

Meaning
a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death
Example
The young prince was the rightful heir to the throne and would become king someday.
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 /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.
B2 adjective /ˈhɒs.taɪl/

Hostile

Meaning
unfriendly; aggressive; antagonistic;
Example
The hostile environment made it difficult to work.
B2 adverb /ˈhev.ɪ.li/

Heavily

Meaning
with great weight; to a great degree; intensely
Example
It rained heavily throughout the night.
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.
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.
A1 interjection /heɪ/

hey

Meaning
used to attract attention, express surprise, or greet someone
Example
Hey, how are you doing today?
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.
C1 adverb /ˌhɛdˈfɜrst/

headfirst

Meaning
With the head leading; in a reckless or hasty manner.
Example
He dived headfirst into the pool.
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 adjective /ˈhaɪˌbraʊ/

highbrow

Meaning
intellectually superior or cultured; often describing art, literature, or activities appealing to intellectual tastes
Example
The museum is known for its highbrow exhibitions.
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 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 /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 /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.
A1 interjection /haɪ/

hi

Meaning
a friendly greeting used when meeting someone
Example
Hi, it's nice to meet you!
C1 adjective /ˌhaɪəˈrɑː.kɪ.kəl/

hierarchical

Meaning
arranged in order of rank or authority
Example
The company has a strict hierarchical structure.
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.
B2 noun /heɪ/

hay

Meaning
grass that has been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal feed
Example
The cows were eating hay in the barn.
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.
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 /ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːrmɪk/

hypodermic

Meaning
relating to the region immediately beneath the skin; also refers to a type of needle or syringe used to inject drugs beneath the skin.
Example
The doctor used a hypodermic needle to administer the vaccine.
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.
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.
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.
A2 noun /ˈhʌni/

Honey

Meaning
a sweet, sticky substance made by bees from flower nectar
Example
I like to add honey to my tea.
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 adjective /ˌhɛtərəˈʤiːniəs/

heterogeneous

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