humus
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C2 noun /ˈhjuːməs/

humus

Meaning
The dark, organic material in soil formed from decayed plants and animals.
Example
The gardener enriched the soil with humus to improve plant growth.
C2 noun /ˈtrʌmpəri/

trumpery

Meaning
worthless nonsense or showy but worthless things
Example
The speech was full of political trumpery.
C2 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈdjuːsəbl/

irreducible

Meaning
impossible to reduce or simplify further
Example
The fraction 3/7 is irreducible.
C1 adjective ˈfɔːr.mɪ.də.bəl

formidable

Meaning
Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.
Example
The boxer was a formidable opponent in the ring.
C1 noun/verb /ˈɪmprɪnt/

imprint

Meaning
A mark or impression made by pressure; to establish or fix firmly in someone's mind.
Example
The event left an indelible imprint on the city's history.
A1 noun /sʌn/

son

Meaning
a male child of a parent
Example
His son is very talented in music.
A1 adjective/adverb /ˈɜːrli/

early

Meaning
before the usual or expected time
Example
She arrived early to the meeting.
B1 adjective /ˈiː.ɡər/

Eager

Meaning
showing keen interest; enthusiastic; having or showing desire and excitement
Example
She was eager to start her new job.
B2 noun /ˈaɪrəni/

irony

Meaning
a situation that is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what is expected; the use of words to convey the opposite meaning
Example
The irony of the situation was that the winner forgot his own prize.
B2 noun /ˈdiː.sən.si/

Decency

Meaning
behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability
Example
She had the decency to apologize for her mistake immediately.
C2 noun /dɪˌlɪniˈeɪʃən/

delineation

Meaning
the precise description, drawing, or outlining of something
Example
The artist’s delineation of the landscape was remarkably accurate.
C1 noun/verb /rɪˈpriːv/

reprieve

Meaning
A temporary relief or delay from something unpleasant; to postpone or cancel punishment.
Example
The prisoner was granted a last-minute reprieve from execution.
C2 noun ˈlɪɡ.nəʊˌsæt

LignoSat

Meaning
A wooden satellite that demonstrates the use of wood in space technology.
Example
LignoSat demonstrates the use of wood in space.
C1 noun /prəˈdʒɛktaɪl/

projectile

Meaning
An object fired, thrown, or propelled, especially from a weapon.
Example
The soldier dodged the incoming projectile.
A2 noun /ˈprɪn.ses/

princess

Meaning
a female royal family member, especially the daughter of a king or queen; a woman regarded as noble, cherished, or elegant
Example
The princess waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

parquetry

Meaning
The art or technique of laying parquet floors.
Example
The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes.
C1 noun /pækt/

Pact

Meaning
a formal agreement between individuals or parties; a treaty or contract
Example
The two countries signed a peace pact to end the war.
C2 noun /meɪndʒ/

mange

Meaning
a skin disease in animals caused by parasitic mites, leading to hair loss and sores
Example
The stray dog was suffering from mange.
C2 verb /deɪn/

deign

Meaning
to do something considered beneath one's dignity
Example
The king did not deign to reply to the commoner.
C1 adjective /ˈmeʒ.ər.ə.bəl/

Measurable

Meaning
able to be measured; quantifiable
Example
The project's success was measurable by increased sales.
C2 noun /ˈtæmbər/ or /ˈtɪmbər/

timbre

Meaning
The character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity.
Example
Her voice had a warm timbre that soothed the audience.
C1 noun (plural) /ˈhɪntərlændz/

hinterlands

Meaning
Plural of hinterland; remote or less developed regions.
Example
Explorers traveled deep into the hinterlands of the country.
B1 noun /ˈspiːʃiːz/

Species

Meaning
a group of living organisms that can reproduce with each other; a type or kind
Example
The Amazon rainforest is home to thousands of animal species.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːn/

impugn

Meaning
to dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of a statement or motive
Example
The lawyer tried to impugn the credibility of the witness.
B2 adjective /ˈmæn.dəˌtɔːr.i/

mandatory

Meaning
required by law or rules; compulsory
Example
Wearing seat belts is mandatory in most countries.
B2 adjective /ˈkɜːrtiəs/

courteous

Meaning
polite, respectful, or considerate in manner
Example
The staff at the hotel were very courteous to all guests.
C1 verb /ˈwɪtl/

whittle

Meaning
to carve or shape something by cutting off small pieces; to gradually reduce
Example
He spent the afternoon whittling a piece of wood into a toy.
C1 verb /ˌdiːˈbʌŋk/

debunk

Meaning
Expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief).
Example
Scientists debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism.
C1 /skwɒt/

squat

Meaning
to crouch or sit with knees bent and body close to the ground
Example
He squatted down to tie his shoes.
C2 noun /ˈwɪndbæɡ/

windbag

Meaning
a person who talks too much, especially in a boring or boastful way
Example
Everyone avoided the windbag at the party because he never let anyone else speak.
C1 noun /bɪz/

Biz

Meaning
business (informal); commercial enterprise or activity
Example
He's been in the restaurant biz for twenty years.
C2 noun /kroʊn/

crone

Meaning
An old woman, often one who is thin and ugly, sometimes associated with witch-like qualities.
Example
The children were scared by the story of the wicked crone in the forest.
A1 noun /ˈsɪstər/

sister

Meaning
a female sibling; a girl or woman in relation to other children of her parents
Example
My sister is coming to visit us next week.
B2 noun /vaɪs/

Vice

Meaning
an immoral or wicked behavior; a moral failing or fault
Example
Smoking is his only vice.
C1 noun /ˌpɒməˈdɔːrəʊ/

pomodoro

Meaning
A time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into intervals.
Example
The Pomodoro technique improves productivity.
B2 verb /kənˈsiːd/

concede

Meaning
to admit something is true or valid, often reluctantly
Example
She finally conceded that she was wrong.
C1 verb /ˈhɔːrɪfaɪ/

horrify

Meaning
to fill with horror; to shock or disgust greatly
Example
The violent scene horrified the audience.
B2 noun /ˈkwɒr.əl/

Quarrel

Meaning
an angry argument or disagreement between people
Example
They had a quarrel about money and stopped talking to each other.
C1 adjective /ˈstɒdʒi/

stodgy

Meaning
Dull, uninspired, or old-fashioned; also heavy and hard to digest when referring to food.
Example
The lecture was so stodgy that many students struggled to stay awake.
C2 noun /ˈdɛnɪzən/

denizen

Meaning
an inhabitant or resident of a particular place
Example
The forest is home to many nocturnal denizens.
A1 noun /θɪŋ/

thing

Meaning
an object, idea, or matter that is being referred to or dealt with
Example
This is the thing I was looking for.
B2 noun /ˌaɪ.səˈleɪ.ʃən/

Isolation

Meaning
the process or fact of isolating or being isolated; separation from other people or things
Example
The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.
B2 noun /kənˈkʌʃən/

concussion

Meaning
A temporary unconsciousness or shock caused by a blow to the head.
Example
He suffered a concussion after falling from the bike.
C1 noun ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən

apprehension

Meaning
Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
Example
There is an apprehension about the depletion of fish stocks.
B2 noun /ˈreɪtɪŋ/

rating

Meaning
an evaluation or assessment, usually numerical
Example
The movie received a high rating from critics.
C2 noun /ˈkæriən/

carrion

Meaning
the decaying flesh of dead animals
Example
Vultures feed on carrion left in the fields.
C2 noun /bɪˈtroʊðəl/

betrothal

Meaning
The formal engagement to be married.
Example
Their betrothal was announced to the whole village.
B1 adjective /ˌen.təˈteɪ.nɪŋ/

Entertaining

Meaning
providing amusement or enjoyment; funny and engaging
Example
The comedian's performance was very entertaining and kept the audience laughing.
B1 noun /ˈnɜːrsəri/

nursery

Meaning
a room or place where young children are cared for
Example
She works in a nursery, taking care of infants.
C1 noun /ˈvenəm/

Venom

Meaning
a poisonous substance secreted by animals such as snakes; extreme malice and bitterness
Example
The snake's venom can be deadly if not treated quickly.
A1 pronoun /maɪ/

my

Meaning
used to indicate possession or ownership
Example
This is my book.
B2 adverb /ˈsmuːð.li/

Smoothly

Meaning
without problems or difficulties; in an even and regular way
Example
The car runs smoothly on the new highway.
C1 noun /saɪˈteɪʃən/

citation

Meaning
a quotation from or reference to a book, paper, or author
Example
The research paper included a citation from Shakespeare.
C1 noun /ˈflɔː.rə/

flora

Meaning
The plant life found in a particular region or habitat.
Example
The Amazon rainforest is home to a vast flora diversity.
B2 adjective /hɑːrʃ/

Harsh

Meaning
unpleasantly hard or rough in texture; cruel or severe
Example
The teacher gave harsh criticism about my work.
B2 adjective /ˈnɑː.lɪ.dʒə.bəl/

Knowledgeable

Meaning
having extensive knowledge; well-informed; educated
Example
She is very knowledgeable about ancient history.
B2 noun /pliː/

Plea

Meaning
an urgent and emotional request; a defendant's formal response to a criminal charge; an excuse or justification
Example
She made a plea for help during the emergency.
A1 noun/verb /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

cooking

Meaning
the process of preparing food by heating it
Example
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies.
B2 verb /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/

contaminate

Meaning
To make something impure, dirty, or harmful by contact with a poisonous or polluting substance.
Example
The river was contaminated by industrial waste.
B1 adjective /ˈtrɪki/

Tricky

Meaning
requiring skill or careful handling; difficult to deal with
Example
This math problem is quite tricky to solve.
B2 noun ˈneɪʧər ɪnˈθjuːziæsts

Nature Enthusiasts

Meaning
People who have a passionate interest in and love for the natural world and outdoor activities.
Example
Nature enthusiasts often visit Sajek Valley for its scenic beauty.
C2 noun /ˈvɜːrbiɪdʒ/

verbiage

Meaning
Excessive use of words, often with little content or meaning; wordiness.
Example
The contract was filled with unnecessary legal verbiage.
A1 adjective /dɑːk/

Dark

Meaning
having little or no light; of a deep shade approaching black
Example
She prefers dark colors for her winter clothes.
B2 adjective /ˌsen.tɪˈmen.təl/

Sentimental

Meaning
having tender feelings; being emotional about memories or experiences
Example
She became sentimental when looking at old family photographs.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfleɪtɪd/

inflated

Meaning
excessively increased in size, value, or importance; filled with air or gas
Example
The company faced criticism for its inflated prices.
B2 verb /waɪn/

whine

Meaning
to complain in an annoying way; to make a high-pitched sound
Example
The child whined about having to go to bed early.
A2 verb /beɪs/

base

Meaning
to use something as a foundation; to establish or locate something
Example
They based their decision on facts.
A2 noun /bænd/

band

Meaning
a group of musicians who play music together
Example
The band performed live at the concert.
C2 verb /bɪˈwɪtʃ/

bewitch

Meaning
to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic
Example
The dancer's performance bewitched the audience.
C1 adjective /əbˈnɒkʃəs/

Obnoxious

Meaning
extremely unpleasant; offensive; annoying
Example
His obnoxious behavior at the party annoyed everyone.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tjʊ.mə.si/

contumacy

Meaning
stubborn refusal to obey authority
Example
His contumacy led to his suspension from the council.
C2 adjective /əˈkjuː.zəˌtɔːr.i/

accusatory

Meaning
Suggesting blame or indicating someone has done wrong.
Example
He gave her an accusatory glance.
C1 verb koʊˈɜrs

coerce

Meaning
To force someone to do something against their will using threats or intimidation.
Example
The manager tried to coerce the employees into working overtime.
C1 noun /ˌɑːrbɪˈtreɪʃən/

arbitration

Meaning
the process of resolving a dispute through an impartial third party whose decision is binding; formal judgment outside a court
Example
The contract requires arbitration to settle any disputes.
B2 noun /əˈlaʊəns/

Allowance

Meaning
a sum of money paid regularly to a person; permission to do something
Example
Children receive a weekly allowance for helping with chores.
C1 verb /fɔːrˈseɪk/

forsake

Meaning
to abandon or give up something or someone
Example
He decided not to forsake his old friends despite his success.
C1 noun ˈkeɪ.dəns

cadence

Meaning
The rhythm and flow of speech with rise and fall in tone.
Example
His speech had a natural cadence that captivated the audience.
C1 adjective /ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/

enigmatic

Meaning
mysterious and difficult to interpret or understand
Example
He gave me an enigmatic smile.
A2 noun /kæmp/

Camp

Meaning
a place where soldiers live temporarily; a place with tents or huts for temporary accommodation
Example
The military established a camp near the border.
C2 noun /ɪˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/

enunciation

Meaning
The act of saying or pronouncing words clearly and distinctly.
Example
His enunciation was clear during the presentation.
C2 adjective /ˈpɜːrviəs/

pervious

Meaning
Allowing water, air, or other substances to pass through; permeable.
Example
The soil here is pervious to rainwater.
B2 noun /ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən/

exhaustion

Meaning
A state of extreme physical or mental fatigue.
Example
Chronic exhaustion can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
B2 verb /ˈkɒmbæt/

combat

Meaning
to fight against something, especially to reduce or stop it
Example
The government is taking steps to combat corruption.
B2 adjective /ˌrez.ɪˈden.ʃəl/

residential

Meaning
Designed for people to live in.
Example
The institution was fully residential.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/

Deviation

Meaning
the action of departing from an established course; a departure from usual standards
Example
Any deviation from the established procedure must be reported immediately.
B2 noun /ˈprəʊsesə/

processor

Meaning
a machine or device that processes something, especially a computer's central processing unit (CPU)
Example
The new laptop has a faster processor.
C1 adjective /raɪf/

rife

Meaning
widespread or common, often in a negative sense
Example
Corruption was rife in the old government system.
A2 noun /ˈfoʊldər/

folder

Meaning
a container or directory used to store and organize papers or digital files
Example
I saved all the photos in a separate folder.
C1 verb /ˈskruː.tɪ.naɪz/

scrutinize

Meaning
Examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
Example
The scientist scrutinized the data before publishing his findings.
C1 noun /ˈsɪtrɪk ˈæsɪd/

Citric Acid

Meaning
a natural acid found in citrus fruits, used as a food preservative and flavoring agent
Example
Add a pinch of citric acid to preserve the color of the fruit jam.
C1 verb /sɪndʒ/

singe

Meaning
To burn something superficially or lightly, especially at the edges.
Example
The fire singed his eyebrows.
A1 verb /spend/

spend

Meaning
to use money to buy something; to pass time
Example
I spend too much money on books.
C1 noun /ˈtændʒənt/

tangent

Meaning
a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not cross it
Example
The teacher drew a tangent to the circle on the board.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprəˈbeɪʃən/

reprobation

Meaning
Strong disapproval or condemnation; rejection by God as beyond salvation.
Example
The teacher’s face showed clear reprobation at the student’s rude remark.
C2 adjective /ˈkɪŋ.ki/

Kinky

Meaning
having or involving unconventional sexual practices; having tight curls or bends
Example
His kinky hair made him look unique.
B1 verb /ɪkˈspɔːrt/

export

Meaning
to send goods or services to another country for sale
Example
The company exports cars to many countries.
C1 verb /ɪkˈspend/

expend

Meaning
to use up or consume; to spend energy or resources
Example
He expended all his energy on the project.
C2 verb /beɪst/

baste

Meaning
to pour or brush melted fat, juices, or liquid over meat during cooking to keep it moist
Example
She basted the turkey every 30 minutes to keep it juicy.
C1 verb /ˌriːəˈdʒʌst/

readjust

Meaning
To change or move something again in order to achieve a better fit, condition, or balance.
Example
He readjusted the chair to make it more comfortable.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl/

inconsequential

Meaning
Not important or significant; too small to matter.
Example
The mistake was minor and inconsequential.
C1 noun /ˈlaɪk.nəs/

Likeness

Meaning
the fact or quality of being alike; resemblance; a portrait or representation
Example
The portrait shows a strong likeness to her grandmother.
C2 noun /ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/

dialectic

Meaning
A method of argument or reasoning by dialogue, especially as a means of investigating truth.
Example
The philosopher used dialectic to challenge his students' assumptions.
C2 noun /ˌlɪt.əˈrɑː.ti/

literati

Meaning
well-educated, literary, or scholarly people
Example
The event was attended by poets, critics, and other members of the literati.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈtɛsteɪt/

intestate

Meaning
Having died without leaving a valid will.
Example
She died intestate, so her assets were distributed by law.
B2 noun /slɒt/

slot

Meaning
a narrow opening into which something fits or is placed
Example
Insert the card into the slot to open the door.
B2 noun /wɪt/

Wit

Meaning
mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence; a natural aptitude for using words in a clever and amusing way
Example
She has a sharp wit and quick sense of humor.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.ləs/

pitiless

Meaning
showing no pity or compassion; cruel
Example
The pitiless ruler ignored the suffering of his people.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpədiːz/

antipodes

Meaning
places on opposite sides of the Earth; also refers to things that are direct opposites
Example
Australia and Britain are often considered antipodes of each other.
B2 noun /ɪɡˌzædʒ.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

Exaggeration

Meaning
a statement that represents something as better or worse than it really is
Example
His story about the fish he caught was clearly an exaggeration.
B2 noun ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən

preservation

Meaning
The action of maintaining something in its original or existing state; protection from harm or damage.
Example
Proper preservation extends the lifespan of machinery.
C1 adjective /ˈdaɪ.si/

dicey

Meaning
Risky or unpredictable; potentially dangerous.
Example
Investing in that company looks pretty dicey right now.
B2 noun /ɪnˈdɔːrs.mənt/

endorsement

Meaning
A public or official statement of support or approval.
Example
The celebrity's endorsement increased the product's sales.
C1 adjective ɪˈluː.sər.i

illusory

Meaning
Based on illusion; not real although seeming to be.
Example
His sense of security was entirely illusory.
B2 adjective əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ

astonishing

Meaning
Extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.
Example
The astonishing discovery changed the way we view the universe.
B2 adjective ɪnˈev.ɪ.tə.bəl

inevitable

Meaning
Certain to happen; unavoidable.
Example
Death is an inevitable part of life.
B1 noun /ˈmɪk.sər/

Mixer

Meaning
an electric kitchen appliance used for mixing, beating, and whipping ingredients
Example
The chef used a mixer to prepare the cake batter.
C2 noun /dɪˈtrækʃən/

detraction

Meaning
The act of belittling or taking away from the value of something.
Example
Her constant detraction of others made her unpopular.
A2 noun /ˈkʌp.bɔːrd/

Cupboard

Meaning
a piece of furniture with doors and shelves for storing dishes, food, or clothes
Example
She stored all the plates and bowls in the kitchen cupboard.
B1 adverb /sɪnˈsɪrli/

sincerely

Meaning
with genuine feelings; honestly and truly
Example
I sincerely hope you recover soon.
A1 interjection /heɪ/

hey

Meaning
used to attract attention, express surprise, or greet someone
Example
Hey, how are you doing today?
C1 noun ˌflʌk.tʃuˈeɪ.ʃən

fluctuation

Meaning
An irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation.
Example
The stock market experiences frequent fluctuation.