lag
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C1 verb, noun /læɡ/

lag

Meaning
To fall behind in movement, progress, or development; a delay or period of falling behind.
Example
The old computer tends to lag when running new software.
B1 adjective /ˈel.ɪ.ɡənt/

Elegant

Meaning
graceful and stylish; refined; sophisticated
Example
She wore an elegant dress to the party.
C1 adjective /ˈnɔːtɪkəl/

nautical

Meaning
relating to ships, sailors, or navigation on water
Example
He studied nautical charts before setting sail.
B2 adjective /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl̩/

biological

Meaning
relating to the science of biology or to life and living organisms
Example
She is studying biological sciences at university.
C2 adjective /ˈfæləbl/

fallible

Meaning
capable of making mistakes or being wrong
Example
Even experts are fallible and can make errors.
C1 noun ɪˌræʃ.ənˈæl.ɪ.ti

irrationality

Meaning
The quality of being illogical or unreasonable; lack of rational thought.
Example
His decision was driven by complete irrationality.
C2 noun /ˈkɔːfər/

coffer

Meaning
A strongbox or small chest for holding valuables, often used metaphorically for funds or financial reserves.
Example
The city's coffers were drained after the costly project.
A2 noun /ˈɔːdiəʊ/

audio

Meaning
sound, especially when recorded or transmitted
Example
The audio quality of the podcast was excellent.
A1 determiner/pronoun /boʊθ/

both

Meaning
referring to two people or things together
Example
Both of the children were excited about the trip.
A1 noun /saɪd/

side

Meaning
a position to the left or right of something
Example
The store is on the side of the road.
C1 noun, verb /ˈmæn.deɪt/

mandate

Meaning
an official order or command; to give someone authority to act in a certain way
Example
The government issued a mandate to reduce carbon emissions.
B2 adjective /ˈstaɪ.lɪʃ/

Stylish

Meaning
fashionable and attractive; having elegance or taste in appearance
Example
She wore a stylish dress to the party.
C2 adjective /pɔːrˈtɛntəs/

portentous

Meaning
Giving a sign or warning that something, often bad or serious, is going to happen; or overly solemn and pompous.
Example
His portentous tone made everyone nervous about the news.
C2 adjective /flɛgˈmæt.ɪk/

phlegmatic

Meaning
having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition
Example
Despite the chaos, he remained phlegmatic and composed.
C1 verb /kriːk/

creak

Meaning
to make a high-pitched, squeaking noise when moved
Example
The old door creaked as she opened it.
C2 noun /ˈkɒnsənəns/

consonance

Meaning
Agreement or harmony among parts; a pleasing combination of sounds in music or words.
Example
The consonance between their ideas made the project successful.
B2 noun /ˈpɜr.mə.nəns/

Permanence

Meaning
the state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely; enduring nature
Example
The permanence of the stone monument impressed all visitors.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛm.ɪ.nəl/

seminal

Meaning
Strongly influencing later developments; highly original and influential.
Example
His seminal book changed the course of modern philosophy.
C2 adjective rɪˈtɛn.tɪv

retentive

Meaning
Having strong memory or the ability to retain information for a long time.
Example
Students with a retentive memory excel in academics.
C1 adjective /ˈhæk.nid/

hackneyed

Meaning
Used too often and therefore lacking originality or freshness.
Example
The speech was filled with hackneyed phrases that failed to inspire the audience.
A1 noun/adjective/adverb /ˌaʊtˈsaɪd/

outside

Meaning
the external part or surface of something; beyond the boundary
Example
Children were playing outside in the yard.
C1 verb /rɪˈbjuːk/

rebuke

Meaning
to criticize or scold sharply; to express disapproval
Example
The teacher had to rebuke the student for cheating.
B2 adjective /ˈlɪt.ər.ət/

Literate

Meaning
able to read and write; educated; well-educated
Example
She is a very literate person who reads extensively.
C2 adjective /ˈæprəbəˌtɔːri/

approbatory

Meaning
expressing approval or praise
Example
The teacher gave an approbatory nod after reading the essay.
C2 verb /ˈæmərˌtaɪz/

amortize

Meaning
To gradually reduce or pay off a debt with regular payments.
Example
They plan to amortize the mortgage over 20 years.
B1 noun /ˈmɪnɪstər/

minister

Meaning
a head of a government department; a person who leads a church
Example
The finance minister announced new tax policies.
B2 noun /ˈstɑːrt.ʌp/

startup

Meaning
A newly established business, especially a small technology or business company that is just beginning operations.
Example
The startup secured funding from investors.
B2 adverb /əˈdɪʃənəli/

additionally

Meaning
in addition to what has been said or done
Example
Additionally, we offer discounts for early bookings.
A2 noun /ˈɡroʊ.sər.i/

grocery

Meaning
A store that sells food and household supplies.
Example
She went to the grocery to buy vegetables.
C2 noun /doʊlt/

dolt

Meaning
A stupid or slow-witted person.
Example
Only a dolt would believe such a story.
A2 noun /kəˈlek.ʃən/

Collection

Meaning
a group of objects gathered together; the action or process of collecting
Example
She has an impressive collection of vintage books in her library.
B2 verb /buːst/

boost

Meaning
To increase, improve, or raise something.
Example
The company launched a campaign to boost sales.
C1 noun /ˈiːɡoʊˌtɪzəm/

egotism

Meaning
The practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an inflated sense of self-importance.
Example
His constant boasting revealed his egotism.
C1 noun /ˈpæʃ.ən ˌflaʊ.ər/

Passion flower

Meaning
A climbing plant with intricate, colorful flowers; also refers to royal poinciana tree with red-orange blooms
Example
The passion flower vine covered the garden wall with beautiful blooms.
A2 noun ˌedʒ.ʊˈkeɪ.ʃən

education

Meaning
The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
Example
Quality education is key to progress.
C1 noun /moʊl/

Mole

Meaning
a small burrowing mammal with tiny eyes and soft fur
Example
The mole dug tunnels under the garden.
A2 noun /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/

teaching

Meaning
the profession or practice of teaching
Example
Teaching is a noble profession.
C1 noun /ˌpriːməˈnɪʃən/ or /ˌprɛm-/

premonition

Meaning
a strong feeling that something is about to happen, often something negative
Example
She had a premonition of danger before the trip.
C1 noun /ˌɡræt.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

gratification

Meaning
Pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire.
Example
The instant gratification of social media affects patience.
C1 noun /ˈɡriːvəns/

grievance

Meaning
A real or imagined cause for complaint, especially unfair treatment.
Example
The workers voiced their grievances to the management.
C1 noun ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm ˈsɜːvɪsɪz

ecosystem services

Meaning
The benefits people obtain from ecosystems.
Example
Forests provide valuable ecosystem services, such as purifying air and water.
A2 adjective, adverb /ˈfʊl taɪm/

full-time

Meaning
working or studying for the whole standard period of time
Example
She works full-time as a teacher.
A2 noun wʊd

wood

Meaning
The hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub.
Example
Wood is being tested for its resilience in space.
C1 noun /ræˈpɔːr/

rapport

Meaning
A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas.
Example
The teacher built a strong rapport with her students.
A2 noun /pərˈmɪʃən/

permission

Meaning
the action of allowing or granting consent
Example
You need permission to enter the restricted area.
C2 noun /ˈproʊbɪti/

probity

Meaning
The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Example
The judge was admired for his integrity and probity.
B2 adverb /ˈskeəs.li/

Scarcely

Meaning
hardly; barely; only just
Example
I could scarcely believe my eyes.
B1 noun ˌdemənˈstreɪʃənz

demonstrations

Meaning
The action or process of showing the existence or truth of something by giving proof or evidence.
Example
Demonstrations occurred on March 11.
C2 noun /ˈbiːlaɪn/

beeline

Meaning
a straight, direct route to a destination
Example
He made a beeline for the food table as soon as he entered the party.
C2 verb /ˈræpsəˌdaɪz/

rhapsodize

Meaning
to speak or write with great enthusiasm and admiration
Example
He would often rhapsodize about his travels to Europe.
C2 noun /ˈʃɛvrən/

chevron

Meaning
A V-shaped pattern, often used in military insignia or design.
Example
The sergeant’s uniform displayed three chevrons on the sleeve.
B1 verb /dɪˈliːt/

delete

Meaning
to remove or erase something, especially written or recorded information
Example
He accidentally deleted all the files from his computer.
C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛmpəraɪz/

extemporize

Meaning
To speak or perform without preparation; improvise.
Example
The actor had to extemporize when he forgot his lines.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪə.ri/

Fiery

Meaning
burning; passionate; hot-tempered; showing strong emotion
Example
She has a fiery temper that flares up quickly.
B1 noun/adjective /ˈnɒvəl/

novel

Meaning
A long fictional narrative; also something new or unusual.
Example
She spent the weekend reading a historical novel.
C2 noun /kæd/

Cad

Meaning
a man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women
Example
Everyone at the party avoided him because he was known to be a cad.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
C1 verb /ˈrʌsl/

rustle

Meaning
To make a soft, light sound like leaves or paper moving.
Example
The leaves rustled gently in the evening breeze.
C1 adjective ˈkɒn.təm.plə.tɪv

contemplative

Meaning
Expressing or involving prolonged thought; meditative and reflective.
Example
He spent a contemplative evening reflecting on his decisions.
C2 noun /ˈmæl.əˌfæk.tər/

malefactor

Meaning
A person who commits a crime or does evil.
Example
The malefactor was arrested for the robbery.
C2 verb /ˈprɒsəˌlaɪtaɪz/

proselytize

Meaning
To try to persuade someone to convert to a different belief or religion.
Example
They tried to proselytize the villagers with their new ideas.
B2 noun /ˌsuːvəˈnɪər/

Souvenir

Meaning
a thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event; a memento
Example
I bought a small souvenir from the gift shop.
B2 adjective /ˈruː.mi/

Roomy

Meaning
spacious; having a lot of room
Example
The apartment is very roomy with spacious bedrooms.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrstwaɪl/

erstwhile

Meaning
former or in the past
Example
They were erstwhile friends but no longer speak.
B1 noun /tiːn/

teen

Meaning
a person aged between 13 and 19 years.
Example
He's a teenager who loves sports.
A2 adjective /ˈkloʊ.sɪst/

closest

Meaning
nearest in distance or relationship
Example
He is my closest friend.
C1 verb /rɪˈpʌls/

repulse

Meaning
to drive back an attack or attacker by force; to cause intense dislike or disgust
Example
The army managed to repulse the enemy attack.
B2 noun ˈæp.ə.taɪt

appetite

Meaning
A natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, especially for food.
Example
Junk food increases appetite unnaturally.
C2 noun /ˈlɔɪtərər/

loiterer

Meaning
A person who lingers aimlessly in a place without purpose.
Example
The police questioned the loiterer outside the store.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdeɪndʒər/

endanger

Meaning
To put someone or something at risk or in danger.
Example
Cutting down forests can endanger many species of animals.
B1 verb /juˈnaɪt/

unite

Meaning
to join together or combine; to bring people or things together
Example
The crisis helped unite the community.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈkɒnʃənəbl/

unconscionable

Meaning
shockingly unfair or unreasonable
Example
The company made unconscionable profits from the crisis.
A2 noun /ˈdaɪəri/

diary

Meaning
a book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences
Example
She wrote about her day in her diary before going to bed.
A2 noun /ˈsɪz.ərz/

Scissors

Meaning
a cutting instrument with two sharp blades that are joined and work against each other
Example
She used scissors to cut the paper into small pieces.
C1 noun /mɪˈlɛniəm/

millennium

Meaning
a period of one thousand years; often used to mark an anniversary
Example
The year 2000 was celebrated as the beginning of a new millennium.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
B2 verb /ʃrɪŋk/

shrink

Meaning
to become smaller in size; to draw back in fear
Example
The sweater shrank after washing in hot water.
B2 verb /rɪˈstrɪkt/

restrict

Meaning
To limit the size, amount, or range of something.
Example
The government decided to restrict the use of plastic bags.
C1 adjective /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/

gratuitous

Meaning
Unnecessary, unwarranted, or given freely without reason or cause.
Example
The movie was criticized for its gratuitous violence.
C1 verb/noun /ˈkrɒn.ɪ.kəl/

chronicle

Meaning
To record events in the order in which they happened; a written record of historical events.
Example
She decided to chronicle her journey through a blog.
B1 noun əˈses.mənt

assessment

Meaning
The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.
Example
The assessment process ensures fairness.
B1 adjective /ɪnkəˈrɛkt/

incorrect

Meaning
not correct or accurate
Example
The information you provided was incorrect.
B1 noun /ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

investigation

Meaning
the process of inquiring into or examining something carefully to find the truth
Example
The investigation revealed new evidence about the fraud.
C2 verb /kəˈraʊz/

carouse

Meaning
to drink and enjoy oneself noisily, often with others
Example
They stayed up all night to carouse after the victory.
A2 verb /əˈtækt/

attacked

Meaning
physically or verbally assaulted someone or something; launched an aggressive action against a target
Example
The soldiers attacked the enemy at dawn.
B2 verb /ˈdɑːrkən/

darken

Meaning
to make or become dark; to reduce brightness or light
Example
The clouds began to darken the sky before the storm.
A2 noun /ˈkiːbɔːrd/

keyboard

Meaning
a set of keys used to operate a computer, typewriter, or similar device for inputting text and commands
Example
She typed the report quickly on her keyboard.
B2 noun /əˈreɪ/

array

Meaning
an impressive display or arrangement of things
Example
The shop displayed an array of colorful dresses.
B2 noun pərˈsɛpʃən

perception

Meaning
The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses
Example
Our perception of the situation was shaped by our prior experiences.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəbəl/

Unbelievable

Meaning
impossible to believe; extremely surprising or remarkable
Example
The magician's performance was absolutely unbelievable.
A1 verb, noun /mɪs/

miss

Meaning
to fail to hit, reach, or meet; to feel the absence of someone or something
Example
I really miss my family when I travel abroad.
C2 adjective /kəˈnaɪ.vɪŋ/

conniving

Meaning
secretly scheming or plotting to help in wrongdoing
Example
He is a conniving politician who manipulates people for power.
C1 adjective /ˈpɒlɪtɪk/

politic

Meaning
shrewd, prudent, or tactful in practical matters
Example
It was politic of him to remain silent during the argument.
C2 noun /ˈrɛv.ər.i/

reverie

Meaning
A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
Example
Lost in reverie, he didn't hear his name being called.
A1 verb /hæv/

have

Meaning
to possess, own, or hold
Example
They have three children.
B2 noun /əkˈnɒlɪdʒmənt/

acknowledgment

Meaning
the act of accepting, admitting, or recognizing something
Example
He received an acknowledgment of his application.
B2 verb /dɪsˈtɜːb/

disturb

Meaning
to interrupt or cause someone to stop what they are doing
Example
Please don’t disturb me while I’m studying.
C1 noun /ˈdaʊri/

dowry

Meaning
Property or money brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.
Example
The dowry tradition is still followed in some cultures.
A1 noun /wɜːrld/

world

Meaning
the earth, together with all of its countries and people
Example
The world is becoming more interconnected every day.
C2 verb /ɛkˈskɔːrieɪt/

excoriate

Meaning
To strongly criticize someone; to denounce severely.
Example
The critic excoriated the film for its poor script.
C1 adjective /ænˈtɪriər/

anterior

Meaning
Situated at or toward the front; coming before in position or time.
Example
The anterior part of the brain controls logical thinking.
B2 adjective /veɪn/

Vain

Meaning
having excessive pride in one's appearance; futile or unsuccessful
Example
She spent hours in front of the mirror being quite vain.
C2 noun /ræŋˈɡuːn ˈkriːpər/

Rangoon creeper

Meaning
A climbing vine with fragrant flowers that change color from white to pink to red
Example
The Rangoon creeper covered the entire fence with its sweet-smelling flowers.
A2 noun /fiːld/

field

Meaning
an area of open land, often used for farming, sports, or scientific study
Example
The children played football in the field.
C2 verb /ˈpælpɪˌteɪt/

palpitate

Meaning
to beat rapidly and strongly, often because of fear, excitement, or illness
Example
Her heart began to palpitate with fear.
B1 noun /ˈkɒntɛkst/

context

Meaning
the circumstances or background relevant to an event, statement, or idea
Example
To understand the quote, you need to know the context in which it was said.
B2 adjective /ˌkɒn.fɪˈden.ʃəl/

Confidential

Meaning
secret; private; intended to be kept secret
Example
Please keep this information confidential.
A2 noun /biː/

Bee

Meaning
a flying insect that produces honey and can sting
Example
The bee collected nectar from the flower.
C2 verb /ˈdɛpɪleɪt/

depilate

Meaning
to remove hair from the skin, especially by mechanical or chemical means
Example
She decided to depilate her legs before the event.
C2 verb /nɑːrl/

gnarl

Meaning
To twist into a knotted or distorted form.
Example
The tree roots began to gnarl around the stones.
C1 noun /fəˈtæləti/

fatality

Meaning
An occurrence of death by accident, disaster, or violence.
Example
The accident resulted in one fatality.
B2 noun ˈkæp.ɪ.təl.ɪ.zəm

capitalism

Meaning
An economic system where trade, industry and production are privately owned and operated for profit.
Example
Capitalism encourages innovation and competition.
A2 adverb /ˈdʒɛnərəli/

generally

Meaning
in most cases; usually; as a rule
Example
He generally arrives at work before 9 a.m.
B1 adverb /ˈhoʊpfəli/

hopefully

Meaning
in a hopeful manner; expressing hope or optimism
Example
Hopefully, the weather will be nice tomorrow.
C1 adjective /ˈærɪd/

arid

Meaning
extremely dry; lacking in interest or excitement
Example
The desert is known for its arid climate.
C1 adjective /ˈtʃɛk.ərd/

checkered

Meaning
Having a pattern of alternating squares of different colors; also describing a past full of ups and downs or varied experiences.
Example
He had a checkered career with many highs and lows.
C2 adjective /ˌmɔːrɡəˈnætɪk/

morganatic

Meaning
relating to a marriage in which one partner, usually of lower social rank, does not share the titles or privileges of the other
Example
The prince entered into a morganatic marriage with a commoner.
B2 noun /ˌstɪm.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

stimulation

Meaning
The action of arousing interest, enthusiasm, or excitement.
Example
Stimulation reduces stress and aids relaxation.
C2 noun /naɪt kwiːn/

Night queen

Meaning
a fragrant white flower that blooms at night and releases strong sweet scent
Example
The night queen flowers filled the garden with their sweet fragrance.
A1 adjective /ʃɔːrt/

Short

Meaning
having a small length, height, or duration; not long
Example
The meeting was very short, lasting only ten minutes.
C2 noun /ˈliː.vɪŋz/

Leavings

Meaning
things that have been left behind or remain; remnants or scraps
Example
The leavings from dinner were given to the dog.