hortative
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C2 adjective /ˈhɔːrtətɪv/

hortative

Meaning
Giving strong encouragement or urging.
Example
The teacher gave a hortative speech to motivate the students before the exam.
C1 noun /ˈhaɪndsaɪt/

hindsight

Meaning
Understanding of a situation only after it has happened.
Example
With the benefit of hindsight, we realized the decision was a mistake.
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 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.
B1 verb /ˈhaɪˌlaɪt/

highlight

Meaning
to emphasize or make something stand out
Example
The teacher highlighted the most important points in the text.
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.
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.
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.
A2 adverb /ˈhɑːd.li/

Hardly

Meaning
scarcely; barely; almost not at all
Example
I could hardly believe what I was seeing.
A2 adverb /ˈɒnɪstli/

honestly

Meaning
in a truthful, sincere, or fair way
Example
She spoke honestly about her mistakes.
C2 noun /hæˈʃiːʃ/

hashish

Meaning
a drug made from the resin of the cannabis plant
Example
The police arrested him for possessing hashish.
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.
C2 noun /ˈhʌvəl/

hovel

Meaning
a small, poorly built, and dirty house
Example
The refugees lived in a makeshift hovel.
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.
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 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 /ˈhæm.lət/

Hamlet

Meaning
a small rural settlement, smaller than a village; a small community
Example
The tiny hamlet nestled in the valley had only a dozen houses and one small church.
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.
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.
A1 noun /hoʊˈtɛl/

hotel

Meaning
A building where people pay to stay and sleep, usually for short periods.
Example
We stayed at a hotel near the beach.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈheɪsti/

Hasty

Meaning
done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; hurried
Example
Don't make hasty decisions when you're angry.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈhevi/

Heavy

Meaning
having great weight; intense or severe
Example
The heavy suitcase was difficult to carry up the stairs.
A1 noun /ˈhoʊmwɜːrk/

homework

Meaning
schoolwork that a student does at home
Example
I need to finish my math homework before dinner.
C2 adjective /hɪk/

Hick

Meaning
unsophisticated person from a rural area; country bumpkin
Example
He had a hick accent from growing up in a small town.
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.
C1 adjective /ˌhaɪ.drəˈpɒn.ɪk/

hydroponic

Meaning
Relating to the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
Example
Hydroponic farming allows crops to grow without soil.
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.
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.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈhiːdləs/

heedless

Meaning
showing a reckless lack of care or attention
Example
He drove with heedless disregard for the rules.
C2 noun /ˈhɔɪdən/

hoyden

Meaning
a boisterous or tomboyish girl
Example
The hoyden preferred climbing trees to playing with dolls.
C1 adjective /ˈhæpləs/

hapless

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

hysterical

Meaning
Extremely funny or uncontrollably emotional.
Example
The comedian's jokes were absolutely hysterical.
C2 noun /ˌhoʊmə.dʒəˈniːəti/

homogeneity

Meaning
The quality or state of being all the same or all of the same kind.
Example
The cultural homogeneity of the village made it feel unified.
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 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 verb /hiːd/

heed

Meaning
to pay attention to; to take notice of
Example
You should heed the teacher's advice.
C1 noun /ˈhɪntərlænd/

hinterland

Meaning
The remote or less developed areas away from the coast or a city.
Example
The farmers came from the rural hinterland to sell their produce in the city.
B1 noun /ˈɒnɪsti/

honesty

Meaning
the quality of being truthful and sincere
Example
Honesty is the best policy in all situations.
B2 adverb /ˈaʊər.li/

Hourly

Meaning
every hour; happening or done each hour; continuously
Example
The weather report is updated hourly.
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 verb /ˈhæri/

harry

Meaning
to constantly attack, harass, or annoy
Example
The army harried the enemy with sudden raids.
C2 noun /ˈhɛptəˌɡɒn/

heptagon

Meaning
A polygon with seven sides and seven angles.
Example
The math teacher drew a heptagon on the board.
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.
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.
A1 noun /hoʊm/

home

Meaning
the place where one lives, especially with family; a residence
Example
She finally returned home after a long journey.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrtən/

hearten

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

hideaway

Meaning
A place used as a retreat or a place to hide.
Example
The cabin in the woods was their secret hideaway.
B1 noun /ˈhɛlθˌkɛər/

healthcare

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

halfway

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

housebreaking

Meaning
the crime of breaking into a house with intent to steal
Example
The thief was arrested for housebreaking.
B2 adjective /hɑːˈspɪtəbəl/

Hospitable

Meaning
friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests; generous in receiving guests
Example
The local people were very hospitable to the tourists.
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 adverb /haʊ/

how

Meaning
in what way or manner; by what means
Example
How do you solve this problem?
B1 verb /hʊk/

hook

Meaning
to catch with a hook; to fasten
Example
He hooked the fish successfully.
B1 adjective /ˈhoʊpfəl/

Hopeful

Meaning
feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event; confident; optimistic
Example
He remained hopeful despite the challenges.
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.
A1 adjective /ˈhʌŋɡri/

Hungry

Meaning
feeling the need for food; having a strong desire or craving
Example
I am very hungry after working all day.
C2 noun /ˈhoʊʒəri/

hosiery

Meaning
Stockings, socks, and other knitted clothing for the legs and feet.
Example
She bought new hosiery for the winter season.
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.
A1 interjection /heɪ/

hey

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

healthful

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

heterogeneous

Meaning
consisting of different kinds or diverse elements
Example
The classroom was filled with a heterogeneous group of students.
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 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.
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.
C2 noun /hʊˈzɑːr/

hussar

Meaning
a member of a light cavalry regiment in European armies, especially the Hungarian cavalry
Example
The hussar rode swiftly across the battlefield.
B1 verb /ˈhɛdɪŋ/

heading

Meaning
Moving in a particular direction.
Example
The ship is heading toward Antarctica.
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.
C2 verb /həˈbɪtʃuˌeɪt/

habituate

Meaning
to make someone accustomed to something
Example
The monks habituated themselves to meditation.
C1 verb /ˈhɔːrɪfaɪ/

horrify

Meaning
to fill with horror; to shock or disgust greatly
Example
The violent scene horrified the audience.
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.
C2 noun /hɪˈdʒɛməni/ or /ˈhɛdʒəmoʊni/

hegemony

Meaning
leadership or dominance, especially by one state or group over others
Example
The empire maintained its hegemony over neighboring states.
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 adjective /ˌhaɪ ˈtɛk/

high-tech

Meaning
using or involving advanced technology.
Example
The company produces high-tech medical devices.
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.
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.
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 /ˈhɑːrti/

Hearty

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

hurl

Meaning
To throw something with great force.
Example
The boy hurled a stone into the river.
C1 adjective /ˈhɑːrdi/

hardy

Meaning
Strong, robust, and capable of enduring difficult conditions.
Example
Hardy plants can survive the harsh winter.
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.
B2 adverb /ˈhev.ɪ.li/

Heavily

Meaning
with great weight; to a great degree; intensely
Example
It rained heavily throughout the night.
C1 noun /hɒˈstɪləti/

hostility

Meaning
hostile behavior; unfriendliness or opposition
Example
The negotiations ended in an atmosphere of hostility.
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.
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.
A2 verb /heɪt/

hate

Meaning
to feel intense dislike or aversion for someone or something
Example
I hate waiting in long lines.
B1 noun /ˈhʌntər/

hunter

Meaning
a person or animal that hunts animals for food or sport
Example
The hunter tracked the deer through the forest.
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.
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 /ˈhɒs.taɪl/

Hostile

Meaning
unfriendly; aggressive; antagonistic;
Example
The hostile environment made it difficult to work.
C1 verb /ˈheɪsən/

hasten

Meaning
To move or act quickly; to cause something to happen sooner.
Example
He hastened to finish his work before the deadline.
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 noun /ˈhʌzbənd/

husband

Meaning
A married man regarded in relation to his spouse.
Example
Her husband is very supportive of her career.
C2 verb /ˈhɛnˌpɛk/

henpeck

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

hatch

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

Harmful

Meaning
causing or likely to cause harm; damaging
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health.
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.
C2 adjective /həˈrɛtɪkəl/

heretical

Meaning
Relating to or characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards, especially in religion.
Example
The priest condemned the book as heretical.
C1 adjective /ˈhær.oʊ.ɪŋ/

harrowing

Meaning
extremely distressing or upsetting
Example
It was a harrowing experience to witness the accident.
C1 noun/verb /hɛm/

hem

Meaning
the edge of a piece of cloth that is folded and sewn; to fold and sew the edge of cloth
Example
She hemmed the dress to make it shorter.
B2 adjective /ˈhaɪˌprəʊfaɪl/

high-profile

Meaning
having a lot of attention or public notice
Example
The CEO attended a high-profile conference in New York.
C2 adjective /ˈhaɪndmoʊst/

hindmost

Meaning
Farthest back; last in position.
Example
The hindmost car in the convoy broke down first.
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.
A1 noun /hænd/

Hand

Meaning
the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb
Example
He raised his hand to ask a question.