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B2 noun /ˈmeɪnstriːm/

mainstream

Meaning
the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional; the dominant trend in opinion or fashion
Example
Social media has become a mainstream source of news for many people.
C1 noun /moʊˈtiːf/

motif

Meaning
A recurring theme, subject, or idea in a work of art or literature.
Example
The motif of love is central to the novel.
B1 noun /ˈmiːdiəm/

medium

Meaning
A means or channel of communication, expression, or artistic work.
Example
Television is a powerful medium for spreading information.
B2 noun /menˈtæləti/

Mentality

Meaning
The characteristic attitude of mind or way of thinking of a person or group
Example
The team needs to develop a winning mentality to succeed.
C1 adverb /ˈmerɪli/

Merrily

Meaning
in a cheerful and joyful manner
Example
The children played merrily in the garden.
B1 verb /ˈmoʊtɪˌveɪt/

motivate

Meaning
to encourage or stimulate interest or enthusiasm for doing something
Example
The coach's speech motivated the team to win the championship.
C1 noun /ˌmɑːr.kɪ.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/

marketability

Meaning
The possibility of commercial success for a product or service
Example
The new product's marketability depends on consumer demand.
C1 noun /mɪkst ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/

mixed economy

Meaning
An economic system where both government and private sector operate together.
Example
Most countries today follow a mixed economy model.
C2 verb /məˈkadəˌmaɪz/

macadamize

Meaning
to construct or cover a road with broken stone
Example
The government decided to macadamize the old rural roads.
A1 modal verb, noun /meɪ/

may

Meaning
Used to express possibility, permission, or uncertainty; also the name of the fifth month of the year.
Example
You may leave early if you finish your work.
C1 noun /ˌmænɪˈfɛstoʊ/

manifesto

Meaning
a public declaration of policy and aims, especially by a political party
Example
The party released its manifesto before the election.
C2 noun /ˈmʌɡwʌmp/

mugwump

Meaning
a person who remains independent from party politics or remains aloof from disputes
Example
He was called a mugwump for refusing to join either political side.
A1 pronoun /maɪˈsɛlf/

myself

Meaning
used for emphasis or to refer to oneself
Example
I will do it myself.
B2 noun /meɪz/

Maze

Meaning
A network of paths designed as a puzzle; a confusing situation
Example
The children got lost in the corn maze at the harvest festival.
A2 noun /muːn/

Moon

Meaning
the natural satellite of the earth, visible at night by reflected light from the sun
Example
The full moon shines brightly in the night sky.
C1 noun /ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/

meteorology

Meaning
The scientific study of the atmosphere and weather.
Example
He chose to specialize in meteorology to study weather patterns.
C1 noun /məˈtɜːrnəti/

Maternity

Meaning
The state of being a mother; motherhood
Example
The hospital has an excellent maternity ward for new mothers.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪsən/

mason

Meaning
a person skilled in building with stone, brick, or concrete
Example
The mason carefully laid the bricks for the new house.
A1 adjective, adverb, pronoun /mʌtʃ/

much

Meaning
a large amount or degree of something
Example
She doesn’t have much time to finish the project.
A2 noun /ˈmɪr.ər/

Mirror

Meaning
a reflective surface that shows an image of whatever is in front of it
Example
She looked at herself in the mirror.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈnoʊmər/

misnomer

Meaning
A wrong or inaccurate name or designation.
Example
Calling the tiny dog a 'giant' is a misnomer.
A2 interjection /mˈhm/

mm-hmm

Meaning
A sound used to express agreement or acknowledgment in conversation.
Example
‘Do you understand?’ ‘Mm-hmm.’
C2 adjective /ˈmɛtəlˌsʌm/

mettlesome

Meaning
Full of courage and spirit; lively and spirited.
Example
The mettlesome young rider never backed down from a challenge.
B2 verb /ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv/

misbehave

Meaning
to behave badly or inappropriately; to act in an unacceptable way
Example
The children misbehaved during the school assembly.
B1 noun, verb /ˈmɜːrdər/

murder

Meaning
the unlawful killing of a person; to kill someone unlawfully and intentionally
Example
The detective investigated the murder that shocked the town.
C1 noun /mɔːrˈfɑːlədʒi/

morphology

Meaning
the study of the form and structure of things, especially in language and biology
Example
Morphology studies the structure of words and how they are formed.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌski/

musky

Meaning
having a strong, sweet, earthy smell like musk
Example
The perfume had a musky fragrance.
B2 verb ˈmɪnɪmaɪz

minimize

Meaning
Reduce (something, especially something unwanted or unpleasant) to the smallest possible amount or degree.
Example
Efforts should be made to minimize plastic usage.
B2 noun /ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən/

multiplication

Meaning
the mathematical process of combining numbers to get a product; the act of increasing in number or amount
Example
Multiplication is one of the basic operations taught in elementary mathematics.
C2 noun /ˈmætrɪˌsaɪd/

matricide

Meaning
The act of killing one's own mother.
Example
The crime of matricide shocked the entire town.
C2 noun /mjuːz/

mews

Meaning
A row or street of houses or apartments that have been converted from stables or built to look like former stables.
Example
They rented a small flat in a quiet London mews.
C1 noun /ˈmɛdli/

medley

Meaning
A mixture of different things, especially musical tunes combined together.
Example
The band played a medley of popular songs.
B2 noun /ˈmɜːrtʃənt/

merchant

Meaning
a person or company involved in the trade of goods, especially in large quantities
Example
The merchant sold spices from distant lands.
C2 noun /ˈmɪsəleɪni/

miscellany

Meaning
A collection or mixture of various things.
Example
The book is a miscellany of essays and poems.
C1 noun /mɔːrɡ/

morgue

Meaning
a place where dead bodies are kept, especially to be identified or claimed
Example
The police took the body to the morgue for identification.
C1 noun /ˈmædʒɪstreɪt/

magistrate

Meaning
A civil officer who administers the law, often with limited judicial authority.
Example
The magistrate presided over the minor criminal case.
C2 adjective ˌmɛɡəˈlɪθɪk

megalithic

Meaning
Relating to or denoting prehistoric monuments made of or containing large stones.
Example
The megalithic structures in ancient civilizations are fascinating.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɪriəd/

myriad

Meaning
a countless or extremely great number
Example
There are myriad stars in the night sky.
B2 noun məˈmɔːriəl

memorial

Meaning
A structure or building made to remind people of a person or event.
Example
Thousands gather at the National Memorial.
C1 adverb /ˌmæθəˈmætɪkli/

mathematically

Meaning
in a way that relates to mathematics; using numbers, formulas, or logical calculation
Example
The problem can be solved mathematically rather than by guesswork.
B1 noun /ˈmeɪkər/

maker

Meaning
a person or thing that makes or produces something
Example
He is a famous movie maker in Hollywood.
B1 noun /ˈmɛtəl/

metal

Meaning
A solid material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and conductive, such as iron, gold, or aluminum.
Example
The ring was made of precious metal.
C1 noun /məˈnɒtəni/

monotony

Meaning
Lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and routine.
Example
Breaking the monotony of everyday life can improve mental health.
C1 adjective /ˈmɜːki/

murky

Meaning
Dark, gloomy, and difficult to see through; obscure.
Example
We avoided swimming in the murky river.
C1 noun /ˈmætrəˌmoʊni/

matrimony

Meaning
The state of being married; marriage.
Example
They entered into matrimony after years of friendship.
C1 verb, noun /ˈmʌstər/

muster

Meaning
to gather people, especially soldiers; to summon courage or strength
Example
He mustered enough courage to face the challenge.
B2 adjective /ˌmænˈmeɪd/

manmade

Meaning
something created or built by humans rather than occurring naturally
Example
This lake is manmade, not natural.
C2 noun /ˈmuːn.biːm/

moonbeam

Meaning
A ray of light from the moon.
Example
A moonbeam lit up the quiet forest clearing.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːtəl/

Mortal

Meaning
subject to death; having a limited lifespan; human
Example
All human beings are mortal and will eventually die.
B2 noun /ˈmeɪnˌlænd/

mainland

Meaning
the principal landmass of a country or continent, as opposed to the surrounding islands
Example
The mainland of Australia is home to most of its population.
A2 adjective /ˈmɛsi/

messy

Meaning
untidy or dirty; disorganized or chaotic
Example
His room was so messy that he couldn’t find his keys.
C2 noun /ˈmɪn.i.ən/

minion

Meaning
A follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile one.
Example
The dictator was surrounded by loyal minions who carried out his orders.
B2 noun /ˈmænʃən/

mansion

Meaning
a large, impressive house
Example
The billionaire lives in a luxurious mansion overlooking the ocean.
B1 adjective /ˈmæsɪv/

Massive

Meaning
extremely large; huge in size or amount
Example
The company made a massive profit this year.
B2 adverb /ˈmɪzərəbli/

Miserably

Meaning
in a wretched or unhappy manner; extremely badly
Example
The team performed miserably in the championship.
C1 verb (past) /ˈmɛrɪtɪd/

merited

Meaning
Deserved or earned something.
Example
Her dedication merited recognition from the community.
B2 noun /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/

mining

Meaning
the process of extracting valuable minerals or other resources from the earth
Example
Mining in this area has increased in recent years.
C1 noun mælˈnʌr.ɪʃ.mənt

malnourishment

Meaning
Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.
Example
Children in poverty-stricken areas suffer from malnourishment.
C2 noun /ˌmɒnəˈmeɪniə/

monomania

Meaning
Excessive concentration or obsession with a single subject or idea.
Example
His monomania for collecting stamps worried his family.
C2 verb /ˌmælˈtriːt/

maltreat

Meaning
To treat someone cruelly or unfairly.
Example
The law punishes those who maltreat animals.
B2 noun /ˈmaɪ.ɡrənt/

migrant

Meaning
A person who moves from one place to another, especially to find work or better living conditions.
Example
Many migrants travel long distances to find employment.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌnid/

Moneyed

Meaning
having much money; wealthy; rich
Example
She comes from a moneyed family with extensive real estate holdings.
C1 adjective ˌmɒn.jʊˈmɛn.təl

monumental

Meaning
Great in importance, extent, or size; exceptionally great; forming or serving as a monument.
Example
The discovery of electricity was a monumental achievement.
B2 noun /ˈmɪs.tʃɪf/

Mischief

Meaning
Playful behavior that causes minor trouble or annoyance but is not meant to cause serious harm
Example
The children were full of mischief during the summer holidays.
B2 noun /ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm/

mechanism

Meaning
A system of parts working together in a machine; a process or technique for achieving something.
Example
The mechanism of the clock stopped working after years of use.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈmænɪdʒ/

mismanage

Meaning
to handle or control something badly or inefficiently
Example
The company went bankrupt because it was mismanaged for years.
C1 noun /məˈræŋ/

meringue

Meaning
A light dessert topping made from whipped egg whites and sugar.
Example
She decorated the pie with a fluffy meringue topping.
C1 verb /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəlaɪz/

marginalize

Meaning
To treat a person or group as unimportant or insignificant.
Example
The policy marginalized minority communities.
A1 noun /ˈmʌðər/

mother

Meaning
a female parent
Example
Her mother is a kind and caring person.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːrtəˈnɛt/

martinet

Meaning
A strict disciplinarian who demands rigid adherence to rules.
Example
The new manager was such a martinet that even minor infractions were punished.
C1 noun /ˈmɛm.breɪn/

membrane

Meaning
A thin layer of tissue or material that covers, separates, or connects structures.
Example
The cell membrane controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
C1 adjective, verb /muːt/

moot

Meaning
Adjective: subject to debate or irrelevant. Verb: to suggest an idea for discussion.
Example
The issue of funding became a moot point after the project was canceled.
B2 adjective /ˈmɪl.ki waɪt/

Milky white

Meaning
a pure white color resembling milk
Example
The clouds looked milky white against the blue sky.
C2 adjective /məˈnaɪəkəl/

maniacal

Meaning
behaving like a maniac; showing excessive enthusiasm or madness
Example
He gave a maniacal laugh during the movie.
C2 noun /miːd/

mead

Meaning
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water.
Example
The Vikings were known to drink large amounts of mead during feasts.
C2 adjective /mæɡˈnæn.ɪ.məs/

magnanimous

Meaning
Very kind and generous, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful than oneself.
Example
His magnanimous nature made him respected by all.
A1 noun /ˈmjuːzɪk/

music

Meaning
vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce harmony, melody, or rhythm
Example
She loves listening to classical music.
C1 verb, noun /mjuːz/

muse

Meaning
to think deeply about something; a source of inspiration, especially for an artist or writer
Example
She sat by the window to muse about her future.
C1 adjective ˌmæk.roʊ.iː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk

macroeconomic

Meaning
Relating to the large-scale or general economic factors, such as interest rates and national productivity.
Example
Government policies impact macroeconomic stability.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.dʒi/

Mingy

Meaning
mean or stingy; unwilling to spend money
Example
He is too mingy to spend money on anything but necessities.
B2 adjective ˈmɒn.ɪ.tri

monetary

Meaning
Relating to money or currency.
Example
The monetary implications are significant for investors.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɒnəkrəʊm/

monochrome

Meaning
A photograph, painting, or screen image in black and white or varying tones of one color.
Example
The old film was shot entirely in monochrome.
B2 adjective /ˌmiː.diˈiː.vəl/

medieval

Meaning
Relating to the Middle Ages, the period in European history from about the 5th to the 15th century.
Example
The castle is a famous medieval monument.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.ɪ.skjuːl/

miniscule

Meaning
Extremely small or tiny.
Example
The error was so miniscule that nobody noticed it.
C1 noun /mɪˈtrɒp.ə.lɪs/

Metropolis

Meaning
A very large city, especially the main city of a country or region
Example
New York is a bustling metropolis with millions of residents.
C1 noun /məˈleɪz/

malaise

Meaning
a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify
Example
After the long journey, she felt a general malaise.
C2 noun /miːn/

mien

Meaning
A person's appearance or manner, especially as an indication of their character or mood.
Example
His serious mien made everyone fall silent.
A2 noun/adjective /ˈmɛksɪkən/

mexican

Meaning
a native or inhabitant of Mexico; relating to Mexico or its people, culture, or language
Example
She enjoys Mexican food like tacos and enchiladas.
B2 verb /ˈmɑːdərət/

moderate

Meaning
to make less extreme or intense; to control or preside over
Example
She moderated the heated debate between the candidates.
B2 noun /ˈmɛr.ɪt/

Merit

Meaning
The quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially deserving praise, reward, or attention
Example
She was promoted based on her merit and hard work.
A2 noun/adjective /ˈmɪdəl/

middle

Meaning
the central point, position, or part of something
Example
The park is in the middle of the city.
C1 noun /ˈmælədi/

Malady

Meaning
A disease or ailment; a serious problem
Example
The doctor diagnosed a rare malady that affected her nervous system.
C1 noun /ˈmɑːrtərdəm/

Martyrdom

Meaning
The suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause or principle
Example
His martyrdom inspired countless others to join the freedom movement.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/

misrepresent

Meaning
to give a false or misleading account of something
Example
The lawyer accused the witness of trying to misrepresent the facts.
B2 noun /ˈməʊtərɪst/

motorist

Meaning
a person who drives a motor vehicle, especially a car or motorcycle
Example
The motorist stopped to help after seeing the accident on the highway.
C2 noun /meɪs/

mace

Meaning
a ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of authority or a weapon similar to a club
Example
The guard carried a mace as a symbol of authority.
C1 noun /miːlˈjuː/

milieu

Meaning
A person's social environment or surroundings.
Example
She grew up in an artistic milieu.
C2 noun mɒnəˈtɑːskɪŋ

monotasking

Meaning
The practice of dedicating oneself to a given task and minimizing potential interruptions until the task is completed or a significant period of time has elapsed.
Example
Monotasking can often lead to higher quality work.
C2 noun /maɪˈkrɒmɪtər/

micrometer

Meaning
A device used for measuring small distances with great accuracy.
Example
The engineer used a micrometer to measure the thickness of the wire.
A2 noun /ˈmærɪdʒ/

marriage

Meaning
The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.
Example
Their marriage lasted for over thirty years.
C1 noun /məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm/

Materialism

Meaning
A tendency to consider material possessions more important than spiritual values
Example
The rise of materialism in modern society concerns many philosophers.
C1 noun /maɪt/

mite

Meaning
a very small creature, often a tiny arachnid; also used to mean a very small amount
Example
The mattress was infested with dust mites.
C1 adjective /ˈmɜː(r)dərəs/

Murderous

Meaning
having the intent to kill; extremely violent; bloodthirsty
Example
The murderous look in his eyes frightened everyone.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ɑːk/

Monarch

Meaning
a sovereign ruler, especially a king or queen
Example
The monarch addressed the nation on television.
B2 noun ˈmɪdl klæs

middle-class

Meaning
The social group between the upper and working classes, typically consisting of well-educated people.
Example
The middle-class was largely affected by the decision.
B2 adverb /mɔːrˈoʊvər/

moreover

Meaning
Used to add information that supports or emphasizes what has already been said.
Example
The job is challenging; moreover, it requires excellent communication skills.
B2 noun /mæt/

Mat

Meaning
a piece of coarse material placed on a floor for people to wipe their feet on
Example
Please wipe your feet on the mat before entering.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪ.ɡrə.tɔːr.i/

Migratory

Meaning
moving from one place to another; characterized by seasonal movement
Example
Many birds are migratory and travel thousands of miles each season.
C2 noun /mʌsk/

Musk

Meaning
a strong-smelling substance secreted by certain animals, used in perfumes and traditional medicine
Example
The perfume contained natural musk that gave it an exotic fragrance.
B2 adjective /ˌmʌl.tiˈpɜː.pəs/

Multipurpose

Meaning
having multiple uses or functions; versatile
Example
This multipurpose tool can be used as a knife, screwdriver, and bottle opener.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənts

micronutrients

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by organisms in small quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions.
Example
Micronutrients are essential for cellular function.
C1 verb məˈnɒp.ə.laɪz

monopolize

Meaning
Control exclusively, dominate market.
Example
The company tried to monopolize the market.
A2 noun /maɪl/

mile

Meaning
a unit of distance equal to 1,609.34 meters; a long distance figuratively
Example
She walked a mile to reach the bus stop.
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.
A2 noun ˈmem.bərz

members

Meaning
A person, animal, or plant belonging to a particular group; an individual belonging to a group such as a society or team.
Example
Members collaborate to finalize recruitment decisions.
C1 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd siːdz/

Mustard seeds

Meaning
small round seeds from the mustard plant, used as a spice and for making mustard condiment
Example
Mustard seeds are often tempered in hot oil to release their nutty flavor before adding to dishes.
B2 adjective /ˈmjuːtʃuəl/

Mutual

Meaning
shared by two or more parties; reciprocal
Example
They have a mutual respect for each other.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈmɒtld/

mottled

Meaning
Marked with spots, streaks, or blotches of different shades or colors.
Example
The snake's mottled skin helped it blend into the forest floor.
C2 noun /ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm/

mesmerism

Meaning
A state of fascination or hypnotism.
Example
The magician held the audience in a state of mesmerism.
C1 noun nɪˈmɒnɪks

mnemonics

Meaning
A technique to aid memory; a device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations
Example
Mnemonics help in remembering complex concepts easily.