merit-based
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C1 adjective ˈmer.ɪt beɪst

merit-based

Meaning
Based on or determined by individual merit, ability, or achievement rather than other factors.
Example
Merit-based recruitment strengthens the workforce.
B2 noun /ˈmæd.nəs/

Madness

Meaning
the state of being mentally ill, especially severely; extremely foolish behavior
Example
It would be madness to drive in this storm.
C1 adjective, verb (past tense/participle of mire) /ˈmaɪərd/

mired

Meaning
Trapped or entangled in something, typically a difficult situation.
Example
The politician was mired in scandal.
A1 modal verb/noun /maɪt/

might

Meaning
used to express possibility; power or strength
Example
She might come to the party if she finishes work early.
B2 noun /ˈmɒtəʊ/

motto

Meaning
A short sentence or phrase that expresses a guiding belief or principle.
Example
Her motto in life is 'never give up.'
C2 noun /ˈmoʊlər/

molar

Meaning
A large tooth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
Example
The dentist had to extract his wisdom molar.
B2 adjective /ˈmaɪti/

mighty

Meaning
having great power or strength; very strong or impressive
Example
The mighty river flows through the heart of the country.
C2 noun /ˈmæsəkɪst/

masochist

Meaning
a person who derives pleasure from their own pain or humiliation
Example
He was called a masochist for enjoying tough challenges.
A2 noun /maʊθ/

Mouth

Meaning
the opening in the face used for eating, drinking, speaking, and breathing
Example
Please open your mouth wide for the dentist to examine.
C1 noun /moʊt/

moat

Meaning
A deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle or town, often filled with water, for defense.
Example
The castle was protected by a wide moat filled with water.
B2 adjective /ˈmʌd.i/

muddy

Meaning
covered in or full of mud; unclear or confused
Example
The children came back with muddy shoes after playing outside.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈruːl/

misrule

Meaning
bad or poor governance
Example
The kingdom suffered for decades under misrule.
B1 noun/verb /ˈmætərz/

matters

Meaning
important topics, concerns, or issues; as a verb, to be of importance or significance
Example
What she thinks really matters to me.
C1 noun /ˈmæn.juˌskrɪpt/

manuscript

Meaning
a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer’s draft before publication
Example
The author submitted her manuscript to the publisher.
C1 adjective /ˈmeʒ.ər.ə.bəl/

Measurable

Meaning
able to be measured; quantifiable
Example
The project's success was measurable by increased sales.
C1 verb, noun /mʊər/

moor

Meaning
As a verb: to tie a ship so that it stays in place. As a noun: open, uncultivated land.
Example
The sailors moored the ship at the dock.
C2 adjective /ˈmoʊtaɪl/

motile

Meaning
Capable of movement or locomotion.
Example
Certain bacteria are motile and can swim toward nutrients.
C1 adjective /ˈmɜː.sɪ.fəl/

Merciful

Meaning
showing compassion or forgiveness; kind and forgiving
Example
The merciful judge gave him a lighter sentence.
C1 verb məˈnɒp.ə.laɪz

monopolize

Meaning
Control exclusively, dominate market.
Example
The company tried to monopolize the market.
C1 noun /ˌmʌltɪˈplɪsɪti/

multiplicity

Meaning
A large number or variety of something.
Example
The project faced a multiplicity of challenges.
B2 adjective /mɪsˈliːdɪŋ/

misleading

Meaning
giving the wrong idea or impression
Example
The advertisement was misleading and gave false information.
C1 adjective /ˈmʌðərli/

Motherly

Meaning
having qualities characteristic of a mother; caring and protective
Example
She showed motherly care and affection towards all the children.
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.
A2 verb /ˈmæri/

marry

Meaning
to become husband and wife; to perform a wedding ceremony
Example
They plan to marry next summer.
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 /mjuːˈlætoʊ/

mulatto

Meaning
an outdated and now offensive term historically used to describe a person of mixed white and Black ancestry
Example
The word 'mulatto' is now considered outdated and offensive.
C1 noun /moʊld/

Mould

Meaning
a hollow container used to give shape to molten material; fungus
Example
She poured chocolate into the mould to make candies.
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.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmætrəˌmoʊni/

matrimony

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

meddle

Meaning
to interfere in something that is not one's concern
Example
He always tries to meddle in other people’s business.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈpleɪs/

misplace

Meaning
To put something in the wrong location and temporarily lose it.
Example
I often misplace my keys when I am in a hurry.
B2 noun /ˈmæt.rəs/

Mattress

Meaning
a large rectangular pad for supporting the reclining body, used as or on a bed
Example
We bought a new mattress for our bedroom.
B2 noun /ˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃən/

meditation

Meaning
The practice of focusing the mind to achieve calmness, clarity, or spiritual growth.
Example
She practices meditation every morning to start her day peacefully.
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 /ˈmʌʃ.ruːm/

Mushroom

Meaning
a type of fungus that can be eaten, often used in cooking
Example
The pizza was topped with fresh mushrooms.
A1 noun /miːt/

Meat

Meaning
animal flesh used as food
Example
We bought fresh meat from the butcher shop.
B2 noun /ˈmɑːrkɪtˌpleɪs/

marketplace

Meaning
a place where goods and services are bought and sold; an open area for trade
Example
The town's marketplace is crowded every Friday morning.
C2 noun /ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

Machination

Meaning
a clever scheme or artful plot, usually with evil intent; crafty designing or plotting
Example
The villain's machinations were finally exposed.
C2 noun /məˈdæliən/

medallion

Meaning
a large medal or decorative piece, often worn as jewelry or used in architecture
Example
She wore a gold medallion around her neck.
C2 verb /ˈmæstɪkeɪt/

masticate

Meaning
to chew food thoroughly before swallowing
Example
He slowly masticated the bread before swallowing.
C2 noun /mjuːˈnɪfəsəns/

munificence

Meaning
great generosity or lavish giving
Example
The hospital was built thanks to the munificence of a wealthy donor.
C1 noun /ˈmuːdi.nəs/

moodiness

Meaning
The state of being frequently subject to changes in mood, especially irritability or sadness.
Example
Her moodiness made it difficult to predict how she would react.
B1 noun /ˈmɪlk.mæn/

Milkman

Meaning
a person who delivers milk to homes or businesses
Example
The milkman delivers fresh milk to our house every morning.
C2 adjective ˈmiː.ni.əl

menial

Meaning
Not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
Example
He refused to do menial work.
A2 noun /mɪˈsteɪk/

Mistake

Meaning
An action or judgment that is misguided or wrong; an error
Example
Making mistakes is part of the learning process.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəmˌsaɪˈkoʊsɪs/

metempsychosis

Meaning
The supposed transmigration of the soul, especially its reincarnation after death.
Example
Ancient philosophers often debated the idea of metempsychosis.
C2 adjective /ˈmɛdəlsəm/

meddlesome

Meaning
fond of interfering in other people’s affairs
Example
She found her neighbor to be meddlesome and annoying.
C1 noun ˌmɛməraɪˈzeɪʃən

memorization

Meaning
The process of learning or committing something to memory
Example
Memorization of important information is crucial for exams.
B2 adjective/noun /ˈmaɪ.nər/

minor

Meaning
less important, serious, or significant; a person under the legal age
Example
Luckily, the accident caused only minor injuries.
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 /moʊˈzeɪɪk/

mosaic

Meaning
A picture or pattern produced by arranging together small pieces of stone, tile, or glass.
Example
The church ceiling was decorated with a beautiful mosaic.
A1 noun /mɑːrtʃ/

March

Meaning
An act of walking in a regular measured tread; a protest demonstration
Example
The soldiers performed a ceremonial march in front of the palace.
C1 noun /ˈmɪs.hæp/

Mishap

Meaning
An unlucky accident or unfortunate event, typically minor
Example
The cooking mishap resulted in a burnt dinner.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːliˌmaʊðd/

mealymouthed

Meaning
not willing to speak directly and honestly; evasive in speech
Example
The politician gave a mealymouthed response to the tough question.
C2 noun /məˈʃiː.nɪst/

machinist

Meaning
a person who operates machine tools or makes and repairs machines
Example
The machinist carefully adjusted the gears on the lathe.
C1 adjective /ˈmæn.li/

Manly

Meaning
having qualities traditionally associated with men; brave; courageous
Example
He showed manly courage during the crisis.
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.
C1 noun /mæɡˈnɪfɪsəns/

magnificence

Meaning
splendor, grandeur, or impressive beauty
Example
The magnificence of the palace left everyone speechless.
B1 noun /məˈtɪəriəl/

Material

Meaning
The matter from which a thing is or can be made; fabric or cloth
Example
The building was constructed using the finest materials available.
B1 noun /ˈmɛdəl/

medal

Meaning
a piece of metal given as an award for achievement
Example
She won a gold medal in the 100-meter race.
C2 verb /ˌmɪsˈleɪ/

mislay

Meaning
to lose something temporarily by putting it in the wrong place
Example
I must have mislaid my keys somewhere in the house.
C1 noun /moʊl/

Mole

Meaning
a small burrowing mammal with tiny eyes and soft fur
Example
The mole dug tunnels under the garden.
B1 noun /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/

management

Meaning
The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.
Example
Proper management minimizes environmental damage.
C1 adverb /ˈmiːk.li/

Meekly

Meaning
in a quiet, gentle way; without resistance or protest
Example
He meekly accepted the criticism without arguing.
A2 noun /məˈʃiːn/

machine

Meaning
A device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a particular task.
Example
This washing machine is very efficient.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈkɒn.dʌkt/

Misconduct

Meaning
Unacceptable or improper behavior, especially by a professional person
Example
The officer was dismissed for professional misconduct.
A2 noun ˈmuːv.mənts

movements

Meaning
Organized efforts by groups of people working together to advance their shared political, social, or artistic ideas.
Example
Freedom movements paved the way for independence.
B2 noun /mɒsk/

mosque

Meaning
A Muslim place of worship.
Example
They gathered at the mosque for the Friday prayer.
C2 noun /meɪs/

Mase

Meaning
spice obtained from the reddish seed covering of the nutmeg seed
Example
A pinch of mace adds warmth to the dessert.
A1 adjective, adverb, pronoun /moʊst/

most

Meaning
the greatest in amount, degree, or number
Example
Most people like to relax on weekends.
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.
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.
B1 noun /mʌd/

mud

Meaning
soft, wet earth or soil
Example
The children were playing in the mud after the rain.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈtrʌst/

Mistrust

Meaning
Lack of trust; suspicion or doubt about someone or something
Example
There was deep mistrust between the two political parties.
C2 adjective /ˌmælˈoʊdərəs/

malodorous

Meaning
Having a very unpleasant smell.
Example
The malodorous room made everyone leave quickly.
B2 adjective /ˈmæn.dəˌtɔːr.i/

mandatory

Meaning
required by law or rules; compulsory
Example
Wearing seat belts is mandatory in most countries.
C1 noun /ˈmæɡneɪt/

Magnate

Meaning
A wealthy and powerful businessperson or industrialist
Example
The oil magnate owned dozens of refineries across the country.
C1 verb /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/

mitigate

Meaning
To make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the severity of damage or harm.
Example
Proper planning can mitigate financial risks.
A1 title /ˈmɪstər/

mr

Meaning
a title used before a man's name
Example
Mr. Rahman is our new teacher.
C2 noun /məˈræs/

morass

Meaning
A complicated or confused situation; a swampy or boggy ground.
Example
The project got stuck in a bureaucratic morass.
B2 noun ˈmaɪnd.set

mindset

Meaning
The established set of attitudes held by someone.
Example
A growth mindset helps individuals embrace challenges.
C1 verb /mæʃ/

mash

Meaning
to crush or mix food into a soft mass, usually by pressing or beating
Example
She mashed the potatoes before serving dinner.
C1 noun /məˈdɜːrnəti/

modernity

Meaning
The quality or condition of being modern; up-to-date ideas, practices, or style.
Example
The city’s architecture reflects both tradition and modernity.
C1 noun /məˈmɛn.toʊ/

memento

Meaning
An object kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event.
Example
She kept the ticket as a memento of their first concert together.
C2 noun /ˌmɛɡələˈmeɪniə/

megalomania

Meaning
A condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, wealth, or omnipotence.
Example
The dictator’s megalomania led him to believe he was invincible.
A2 noun /ˈmɛs.ɪdʒ/

Message

Meaning
A written, spoken, or electronic communication sent from one person to another
Example
I received your message and will reply soon.
C1 noun ˌmɒd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃənz

modifications

Meaning
The action of making partial or minor changes to something.
Example
DNA modifications enable enhanced traits in crops.
C2 noun /ˌmɑːhəˈrɑːdʒə/

maharaja

Meaning
A great king, especially a ruler of one of the principal states in India.
Example
The maharaja lived in a grand palace surrounded by gardens.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪkrəʊˌklaɪmæt/

microclimate

Meaning
The climate of a small, specific area that may differ from the general climate of the surrounding region, often influenced by local factors like terrain, vegetation, or buildings.
Example
A microclimate can have a significant impact on plant growth.
C2 verb /ˈmɒtl/

mottle

Meaning
To mark with spots or patches of color.
Example
The leaves were mottled with shades of yellow and brown.
C2 adjective /ˈmɔːkɪʃ/

mawkish

Meaning
excessively sentimental, often to the point of being sickly
Example
The movie was criticized for its mawkish sentimentality.
B2 adjective /ˈmæn.ju.əl/

Manual

Meaning
done by hand; operated by hand; not automatic
Example
This is a manual process that requires careful attention.
C2 noun /mɪˈtɒnɪmi/

metonymy

Meaning
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted with another closely related word or concept.
Example
In the phrase 'the crown will decide,' 'crown' is a metonymy for monarchy.
B2 noun /ˈmɛr.meɪd/

Mermaid

Meaning
A mythical sea creature with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish
Example
The little girl loved stories about mermaids living under the sea.
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.
C2 noun /ˈmænˌiː.tər/

man-eater

Meaning
An animal that kills and eats humans; informally, a woman who is very assertive in relationships.
Example
The tiger became a notorious man-eater in the village.
C1 verb /ˈmʌmbəl/

mumble

Meaning
To speak quietly and not clearly so that words are difficult to understand.
Example
He mumbled an apology before leaving.
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 adverb /ˈmeɪbi/

maybe

Meaning
used to express possibility or uncertainty
Example
Maybe we will go to the park tomorrow.
B2 adjective /ˈmɛtrɪk/

metric

Meaning
Relating to the metric system of measurement; also, a standard of measurement used to assess performance.
Example
The company tracks success using clear performance metrics.
C2 noun /mɪˈsɑːdʒɪnɪst/

misogynist

Meaning
A person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women.
Example
Many condemned his speech as the words of a misogynist.
C2 noun /ˈmeɪsə/

mesa

Meaning
An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in arid regions.
Example
The hikers stopped to admire the mesa rising above the desert floor.
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.
C1 noun ˌmek.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

mechanization

Meaning
The process of introducing machines or replacing manual labor with machines.
Example
Mechanization has revolutionized agriculture.
C1 noun /ˈmɪmɪkri/

mimicry

Meaning
The act of imitating someone or something, often for humor or learning.
Example
The comedian’s mimicry of celebrities made the audience laugh.
C1 noun /mɒb/

Mob

Meaning
a large crowd of people; a group that acts in a violent way
Example
An angry mob gathered outside the building.
B2 adjective /ˈmæskjəlɪn/

masculine

Meaning
having qualities traditionally associated with men
Example
He has a deep, masculine voice.
B1 noun /ˈmɪs.tər.i/

Mystery

Meaning
something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain
Example
The disappearance of the plane remains a mystery.
C1 noun /ˌmjuːnɪsɪˈpæləti/

municipality

Meaning
a city or town that has its own local government
Example
The municipality is planning to build a new library.
A2 noun /ˈmɒn.stər/

Monster

Meaning
a large, ugly, and frightening imaginary creature; a cruel person
Example
The children were scared of the monster under the bed.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛtəˈlɜrdʒɪkəl/

metallurgical

Meaning
Relating to metallurgy or the branch of science concerned with the properties of metals and their production.
Example
He studied metallurgical engineering at the university.
C1 noun /ˈmɪʃ.ən.ɛr.i/

Missionary

Meaning
A person sent on a religious mission to promote their faith in a foreign country
Example
The missionary spent years teaching and helping people in remote villages.
C2 verb /ˌmælˈtriːt/

maltreat

Meaning
To treat someone cruelly or unfairly.
Example
The law punishes those who maltreat animals.
C1 adjective /ˈmɜːki/

murky

Meaning
Dark, gloomy, and difficult to see through; obscure.
Example
We avoided swimming in the murky river.
B2 adjective /mɑːrkt/

Marked

Meaning
clearly noticeable; distinct; obvious
Example
There was a marked improvement in her performance.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːtəˈbɪləti/

mutability

Meaning
The quality of being changeable or capable of change.
Example
The mutability of fashion trends makes it hard to keep up.
C1 noun /ˈmɒŋ.ɡuːs/

Mongoose

Meaning
a small carnivorous mammal known for its ability to kill venomous snakes
Example
The mongoose quickly attacked the cobra to protect its young.
C2 noun /ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm/

mesmerism

Meaning
A state of fascination or hypnotism.
Example
The magician held the audience in a state of mesmerism.
C2 adjective /ˈməʊdɪʃ/

modish

Meaning
conforming to or following current fashion or style
Example
She wore a modish outfit that caught everyone’s attention.
C1 noun /ˌmælnuːˈtrɪʃən/

Malnutrition

Meaning
Lack of proper nutrition; poor nourishment
Example
Malnutrition among children is a serious public health concern.