incompetent
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C1 adjective /ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt/

incompetent

Meaning
Lacking the necessary ability or skills to do something successfully.
Example
He was fired because he was incompetent at his job.
C1 noun /ˈaɪsətəʊp/

isotope

Meaning
Atoms of the same element with equal number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Example
Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope used in dating fossils.
C1 noun /ɪˌluːmɪˈneɪʃən/

illumination

Meaning
the act of lighting something or making something clear
Example
The street was filled with bright illumination from the lamps.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪti/

impossibility

Meaning
the state or fact of being impossible; something that cannot be done or achieved
Example
Finishing the project in one day was an impossibility.
C1 noun ɪnˈflɛk.ʃən

inflection

Meaning
The change in pitch or tone of voice when speaking for emphasis.
Example
His inflection kept the audience engaged.
C1 noun /ɪnˌkɑːsəˈreɪʃən/

incarceration

Meaning
the state of being imprisoned or confined
Example
The criminal faced years of incarceration for his crimes.
C1 verb /ɪnˈskraɪb/

inscribe

Meaning
to write or carve words or symbols on a surface
Example
They inscribed her name on the trophy.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnɜːrt/

inert

Meaning
lacking the ability or strength to move or act; chemically inactive
Example
The patient remained inert on the bed.
C1 noun /ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛstʃən/

indigestion

Meaning
Discomfort or pain in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.
Example
He avoided spicy food because it often gave him indigestion.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈedəbəl/

Inedible

Meaning
not suitable or safe for eating; not edible
Example
The mushrooms were poisonous and completely inedible.
C1 verb /ˌɪn.tɚˈtwaɪn/

intertwine

Meaning
To connect or link closely; to twist together or combine closely.
Example
Their lives became intertwined through years of friendship.
C1 adjective /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/

illegitimate

Meaning
Not authorized by law, rules, or standards; not recognized as valid.
Example
The court ruled the contract to be illegitimate.
C1 adjective /ˈɪntrɪkət/

intricate

Meaning
very detailed, complex, and difficult to understand
Example
The artist created an intricate pattern on the wall.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈprɒbəbl/

improbable

Meaning
Not likely to be true or to happen.
Example
It seems improbable that he will arrive on time.
C1 noun /ˈɪnkwest/

inquest

Meaning
A legal or official inquiry, especially into the cause of a death.
Example
The inquest revealed the cause of the accident.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈvæljʊəbl/

invaluable

Meaning
Extremely useful or indispensable.
Example
Her advice proved invaluable to my success.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdetɪd/

Indebted

Meaning
owing money or gratitude to someone; obligated; grateful
Example
I am deeply indebted to my teacher for all her guidance.
C1 noun ˌɪn.toʊˈneɪ.ʃən

intonation

Meaning
The rise and fall of tone in speech and pronunciation.
Example
Proper intonation enhances the clarity of a speech.
C1 noun /ˌɪntəkəˈnɛktɪvɪti/

interconnectivity

Meaning
The state of being interconnected or the degree of connectivity between components
Example
The rise of interconnectivity has transformed global communication.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜːməri/

infirmary

Meaning
A hospital or place where the sick or injured are cared for.
Example
The school had an infirmary for minor injuries.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsek.tɪ.saɪd/

Insecticide

Meaning
a substance used for killing insects; a chemical pesticide that targets insects
Example
The farmer sprayed insecticide on his crops to protect them from harmful bugs.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɪzəbl/

indivisible

Meaning
Not able to be divided or separated.
Example
The country's unity was indivisible despite differences.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈveɪsɪv/

invasive

Meaning
Tending to spread harmfully, intruding aggressively, or encroaching beyond proper boundaries.
Example
The doctor explained that the procedure was minimally invasive.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkɒmp(ə)rəbl/

incomparable

Meaning
Without an equal in quality or excellence; matchless.
Example
The view from the mountain was incomparable.
C1 adverb, adjective /ˌɪnkɑːɡˈniːtoʊ/

incognito

Meaning
In disguise or with one's identity concealed.
Example
The celebrity traveled incognito to avoid the paparazzi.
C1 verb /ɪnˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt/

incriminate

Meaning
to make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing
Example
The new evidence could incriminate the suspect in the robbery case.
C1 noun /ɪnˈhɛrɪtər/

inheritor

Meaning
a person who receives money, property, or a title when someone dies
Example
She became the inheritor of her family's estate.
C1 noun /ɪˈmiːdiəsi/

immediacy

Meaning
The quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement.
Example
The immediacy of digital communication has reshaped business operations.
C1 noun /aɪl/

isle

Meaning
A small island or peninsula, often poetic or literary.
Example
They spent their honeymoon on a beautiful tropical isle.
C1 adverb /ˌɪnsɪˈdɛntəli/

incidentally

Meaning
by the way; used to introduce a remark not directly related to the main subject
Example
Incidentally, did you know that she studied in Paris?
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjʊlət/

inarticulate

Meaning
Unable to express oneself clearly or effectively in speech or writing.
Example
She became inarticulate with emotion during the speech.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɛpərəbəl/

Irreparable

Meaning
impossible to repair or fix; permanent damage that cannot be undone
Example
The accident caused irreparable damage to his spine.
C1 noun /ˌɪmɔːrˈtæləti/

immortality

Meaning
the state of living forever; eternal life or lasting fame beyond death
Example
Many ancient cultures believed that heroes could achieve immortality through great deeds.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɒs.tər/

Impostor

Meaning
a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others; a fraud
Example
The impostor convinced everyone he was a doctor until his fake credentials were discovered.
C1 verb /ɪˈmɔːrtəlaɪz/

immortalize

Meaning
to preserve the memory of someone or something forever
Example
The statue was built to immortalize the hero’s sacrifice.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsɒm.ni.ə/

Insomnia

Meaning
habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep; the condition of being unable to sleep
Example
Her chronic insomnia made it difficult for her to concentrate during work hours.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpæsəbəl/

impassable

Meaning
Impossible to travel along or over.
Example
The road became impassable after the heavy snowfall.
C1 noun ɪnˌten.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən

intensification

Meaning
The process of becoming or making something more intense or extreme.
Example
The intensification of climate change requires urgent action.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdjuːsmənt/

inducement

Meaning
something that persuades or encourages someone to do something
Example
The company offered a bonus as an inducement to employees.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.trəˈspek.tɪv

introspective

Meaning
Characterized by or given to introspection; examining one's own thoughts and feelings.
Example
Writers tend to be highly introspective individuals.
C1 verb /ˌɪntərˈsɛpt/

intercept

Meaning
to stop, catch, or seize something on its way from one place to another
Example
The police intercepted the stolen car before it crossed the border.
C1 noun /ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/

inadequacy

Meaning
lack of sufficient ability, quality, or strength; a feeling of not being good enough
Example
She struggled with feelings of inadequacy at work despite her strong qualifications.
C1 noun /ɪnˈkɒmpɪtəns/

incompetence

Meaning
Lack of ability, skill, or effectiveness in doing something.
Example
The project failed due to the manager’s incompetence.
C1 verb /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəlaɪz/

institutionalize

Meaning
to establish something as a formal institution, custom, or practice
Example
The government seeks to institutionalize environmental protection.
C1 noun /ɪnˈækjʊrəsi/

inaccuracy

Meaning
lack of accuracy or precision; an incorrect or wrong detail
Example
The report contained several factual inaccuracies.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnuːmərəbəl/

Innumerable

Meaning
too many to be counted; countless; infinite in number
Example
There are innumerable stars in the night sky that we cannot see with our naked eyes.
C1 adjective /ˌaɪ.di.əˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

ideological

Meaning
Relating to or based on a system of ideas or beliefs.
Example
The two parties are divided by deep ideological differences.
C1 noun /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/

inkling

Meaning
A slight idea, hint, or suspicion about something.
Example
She had an inkling that he was planning a surprise.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈæk.tɪv/

Inactive

Meaning
not active; not working; dormant; idle
Example
The volcano has been inactive for over a century.
C1 noun /ɪmˈbæl.əns/

Imbalance

Meaning
lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things; unequal distribution
Example
The doctor said the patient's dizziness was caused by an inner ear imbalance.
C1 noun /ˈɪrɪtənt/

irritant

Meaning
something that causes irritation or discomfort
Example
Dust is a common irritant for people with allergies.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbl/

inexplicable

Meaning
Impossible to explain or understand.
Example
The sudden disappearance of the file was inexplicable.
C1 noun /ˈɪnlɛt/

inlet

Meaning
A small arm of the sea, a lake, or a river; an opening or passage for entry.
Example
The boat entered a narrow inlet along the coast.
C1 noun ˌɪn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si

inefficiency

Meaning
The state or quality of not achieving maximum productivity; failure to make the best use of time or resources.
Example
Government inefficiency leads to slow project completion.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɜː.sənˈeɪ.ʃən/

impersonation

Meaning
The action of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.
Example
Online impersonation is a serious cybercrime.
C1 noun /aɪˈtɪnərɛri/

itinerary

Meaning
A planned route or schedule of a journey or trip.
Example
The travel agent gave us a detailed itinerary for our vacation.
C1 noun ˌɪnfrəˈstrʌktʃərəl dɪˈveləpmənt

infrastructural development

Meaning
The process of building and improving the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Example
Infrastructural development is necessary for efficient recycling.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtənt/

inadvertent

Meaning
Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning; unintentional.
Example
Her inadvertent mistake caused a delay in the project.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv/

inquisitive

Meaning
Curious or eager to learn and ask questions.
Example
The inquisitive child asked endless questions about the stars.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪɡ.nə.ti/

Indignity

Meaning
treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or loss of dignity; humiliation
Example
She refused to suffer the indignity of being searched without proper cause.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnsələnt/

insolent

Meaning
showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
Example
The insolent student refused to follow the teacher's instructions.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/

Indecisive

Meaning
unable to make decisions quickly; hesitant; wavering
Example
She was indecisive about which university to attend.
C1 adjective ɪnˈkʌm.bənt

incumbent

Meaning
necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.
Example
It is incumbent upon all citizens to obey the law.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnænɪmət/

inanimate

Meaning
not alive, especially not in the manner of animals and humans; lifeless
Example
The museum was full of inanimate objects from ancient times.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnækˈsɛsəbl/

inaccessible

Meaning
unable to be reached, entered, or understood
Example
The remote village is almost inaccessible during the rainy season.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛn.ɪ.trə.bəl/

impenetrable

Meaning
Impossible to pass through or enter; impossible to understand.
Example
The dense forest was nearly impenetrable.
C1 adjective ˌɪm.pəˈsɛp.tɪ.bəl

imperceptible

Meaning
So subtle or gradual that it is difficult to notice or perceive
Example
The changes in his behavior were imperceptible at first.
C1 verb /ɪnˈvoʊk/

invoke

Meaning
to call upon a higher power, authority, or principle for help, support, or justification
Example
The lawyer invoked the constitution to defend his client.
C1 noun /ˈɪnflʌks/

influx

Meaning
A large arrival or flow of people or things.
Example
The city experienced an influx of tourists during the festival.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbl/

insurmountable

Meaning
Too great to be overcome.
Example
The explorers faced insurmountable odds in the desert.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɪstənt/

insistent

Meaning
demanding something firmly and refusing to accept no
Example
The child was insistent on getting a new toy.
C1 noun /ɪnˈfɜːrnoʊ/

inferno

Meaning
a large, intense fire that is dangerously out of control
Example
The building turned into an inferno within minutes.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfjʊərieɪt/

infuriate

Meaning
To make someone extremely angry.
Example
His careless remarks infuriated the entire team.
C1 noun /ˈɪnˌmeɪt/

inmate

Meaning
a person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital
Example
The prison has over a thousand inmates.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈspjuːtəbəl/

Indisputable

Meaning
impossible to deny or argue against; undeniable; certain
Example
The evidence against him was indisputable.
C1 adjective /ˈɪrɪtəbl/

irritable

Meaning
easily annoyed or made angry
Example
She became irritable after working long hours without rest.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

impeach

Meaning
To charge a public official with misconduct while in office.
Example
The parliament voted to impeach the president.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdiːsənt/

indecent

Meaning
not conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality; improper or offensive
Example
He was warned for making an indecent remark during the meeting.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/

Ineligible

Meaning
not qualified or entitled to participate or be chosen; unsuitable
Example
Students with poor grades are ineligible for the scholarship program.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtjuː.ɪ.tɪv/

intuitive

Meaning
Based on instinctive understanding rather than reasoning.
Example
The software has an intuitive design that makes it easy to use.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.təˈstel.ər

interstellar

Meaning
Occurring or situated between stars.
Example
Scientists study interstellar travel possibilities.
C1 adjective /ɪˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

Illogical

Meaning
not reasonable or sensible; lacking logic
Example
It would be illogical to go swimming in such cold weather.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈskriːt/

indiscreet

Meaning
Not careful in what one says or does, likely to reveal secrets or offend.
Example
It was indiscreet of him to mention the plan in public.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmuː.və.bəl/

immovable

Meaning
Not able to be moved; fixed in position.
Example
Immovable barriers prevent change.
C1 noun /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/

imprisonment

Meaning
the act of putting someone in prison; the state of being confined as punishment
Example
He faced imprisonment for violating the court order.
C1 noun ˌɪn.tuˈɪʃ.ən

intuition

Meaning
The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.
Example
Her intuition told her something was wrong.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkəʊˈhɪərənt/

incoherent

Meaning
Not clear or easy to understand; lacking logical connection.
Example
His explanation was so incoherent that nobody could follow it.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtɒl.ər.ə.bəl/

Intolerable

Meaning
unable to be endured; extremely unpleasant or painful
Example
The noise from the construction site was intolerable.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpʌlsɪv/

impulsive

Meaning
acting suddenly without careful thought
Example
She made an impulsive decision to buy the car.
C1 noun /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/

ingenuity

Meaning
The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
Example
His ingenuity led to groundbreaking innovations.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɛndɪŋ/

impending

Meaning
about to happen soon, usually something unpleasant or threatening
Example
The villagers were worried about the impending flood.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnsjələr/

insular

Meaning
Narrow-minded, isolated, or relating to an island.
Example
The community was criticized for its insular attitudes toward outsiders.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.səbˈstæn.ʃəl/

insubstantial

Meaning
Lacking strength, substance, or solidity.
Example
The evidence provided was insubstantial and unconvincing.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsteɪbəl/

instable

Meaning
not stable; liable to change, collapse, or fail; lacking firmness or reliability
Example
The instable political situation worried foreign investors.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈpætəbl/

incompatible

Meaning
Not able to exist or work together without conflict.
Example
Their personalities were completely incompatible.
C1 verb /ˈaɪdəlaɪz/

idolize

Meaning
To admire or worship someone excessively.
Example
Fans often idolize celebrities for their talent and lifestyle.
C1 noun /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/

inclination

Meaning
A natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way.
Example
She has an inclination towards helping others.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpiːd/

impede

Meaning
To obstruct or hinder the progress or development of something.
Example
Lack of funds can impede business growth.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.floʊ/

inflow

Meaning
The movement of things such as money, people, or water into a place.
Example
The inflow of tourists boosted the local economy.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfriːkwənt/

infrequent

Meaning
Happening rarely or not often.
Example
He made infrequent visits to his hometown after moving abroad.
C1 noun ɪnˈsɒl.vən.si

insolvency

Meaning
The state of being unable to pay debts owed; bankruptcy.
Example
The company declared insolvency after years of losses.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnɔːrˈɡænɪk/

inorganic

Meaning
relating to substances that are not derived from living organisms; lacking organic structure or growth
Example
Inorganic compounds are commonly studied in chemistry labs.
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.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtrɛpɪd/

intrepid

Meaning
fearless and adventurous, often used humorously
Example
The intrepid traveler explored the jungle alone.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnkɒmprɪˈhɛnsəbl/

incomprehensible

Meaning
Impossible or very difficult to understand.
Example
The professor’s lecture was so fast it became incomprehensible.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsɛp(ə)rəbəl/

inseparable

Meaning
Unable to be separated or always together.
Example
The two friends have been inseparable since childhood.
C1 noun /ɪˈnɜː.ʃə/

Inertia

Meaning
a tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged; lack of activity or movement
Example
The team's inertia prevented them from adapting to the rapidly changing market conditions.
C1 noun /ɪmˈpɜː.mə.nəns/

impermanence

Meaning
The state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.
Example
The philosophy of Buddhism emphasizes the impermanence of life.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːmiəbl/

impermeable

Meaning
Not allowing fluid or gas to pass through.
Example
The container is made of impermeable plastic.
C1 noun /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

insignificance

Meaning
The quality of being unimportant or trivial.
Example
He felt a sense of insignificance in the vast universe.
C1 adjective /ɪˈnɒkjuəs/

innocuous

Meaning
Not harmful or offensive.
Example
His remark was completely innocuous and not meant to offend anyone.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɑːrʃəl/

Impartial

Meaning
treating all sides fairly; unbiased; neutral
Example
A good judge must remain impartial throughout the trial.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈhjuːmən/

Inhuman

Meaning
lacking human qualities; cruel; brutal; savage
Example
The dictator's inhuman treatment of prisoners shocked the international community.
C1 noun /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənsi/

insufficiency

Meaning
The state of not being enough or not being adequate.
Example
The project failed due to the insufficiency of funds.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrviəs/

impervious

Meaning
Not allowing fluid to pass through; unable to be affected by something.
Example
The jacket is impervious to rain.
C1 adjective /ˌɪntərˈtʃeɪndʒəbl/

interchangeable

Meaning
able to be exchanged with each other without difference or loss of function
Example
These machine parts are interchangeable, so they can be replaced easily.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl/

inconsequential

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

insensible

Meaning
Unconscious; unaware of or indifferent to something.
Example
He was insensible to the cold as he lay in the snow.
C1 noun ɪmˈpɛə(r)mənt

impairment

Meaning
The state of being damaged or weakened; a disability or handicap.
Example
Hearing impairment can be caused by long-term exposure to loud noise.
C1 adjective /aɪˈdɪlɪk/

idyllic

Meaning
Like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.
Example
They enjoyed an idyllic vacation by the sea.
C1 verb /ɪnˈfleɪm/

inflame

Meaning
to arouse strong feelings or provoke anger; to cause inflammation in the body
Example
The politician's remarks served to inflame public opinion.