moat
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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.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪzər/

miser

Meaning
A person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible.
Example
The old miser refused to donate even a penny to charity.
C1 noun /ˈmjuːtɪni/

mutiny

Meaning
an open rebellion against authority, especially by soldiers or sailors
Example
The sailors staged a mutiny against their captain.
B2 noun /ˈmɛtəfɔːr/

metaphor

Meaning
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable.
Example
Time is a thief is a common metaphor for how quickly life passes.
C1 noun ˈmetəl kənˌtæməˈneɪʃən

metal contamination

Meaning
The presence of toxic metals in the environment that pose health and environmental risks.
Example
Metal contamination poses severe health risks.
B1 noun /mʌɡ/

Mug

Meaning
a large cup, typically cylindrical and having a handle and used without a saucer
Example
She drank her morning coffee from a ceramic mug.
B2 noun /məˈkænɪks/

mechanics

Meaning
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of objects and the forces acting on them; also refers to the practical details of how something works
Example
He studied the mechanics of the machine before fixing it.
C1 noun /ˈmɜːrsəˌnɛri/

mercenary

Meaning
a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army; also used to describe someone motivated solely by money.
Example
The mercenary fought for whoever paid the highest wage.
B2 noun /ˈmɪnərəl/

mineral

Meaning
a naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic, often used in industry or nutrition
Example
Calcium is an important mineral for strong bones.
C2 noun /məˈlæsɪz/

Molasses

Meaning
thick, dark, sweet syrup made from sugar cane
Example
The recipe calls for molasses to give the bread a rich flavor.
C2 noun /ˌmɪstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

mystification

Meaning
the act of making something unclear or confusing; a state of being puzzled or bewildered
Example
The audience watched in mystification as the magician performed his tricks.
B2 noun /mjuːl/

Mule

Meaning
the offspring of a donkey and a horse, used as a working animal
Example
The farmer used a mule to carry heavy loads.
C1 noun /ˈmɒnəʊˌkʌltʃər/

monoculture

Meaning
The agricultural practice of growing only one type of crop over a large area and for many consecutive years, which can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Example
Monoculture can lead to soil depletion and increased pest vulnerability.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːr.ɡɪʤ/

Mortgage

Meaning
a legal agreement by which a bank lends money to buy property
Example
They took out a mortgage to buy their first house.
C2 noun /muˈleθi/

Mulethi

Meaning
licorice root, a sweet-tasting herb used in traditional medicine and cooking
Example
She prepared a herbal tea with mulethi to soothe her sore throat.
C1 noun /ˈmiːnnəs/

Meanness

Meaning
The quality of being unkind, spiteful, or unfair; stinginess
Example
His meanness towards the poor children shocked everyone in the neighborhood.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːr.nər/

Mourner

Meaning
a person who attends a funeral or shows grief for someone who has died
Example
The mourners gathered at the cemetery to pay their respects.
B2 noun /ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃən/

medication

Meaning
a drug or other form of medicine used to treat or prevent disease
Example
The doctor prescribed medication for his headache.
C1 verb /ˈmʌd.əl/

muddle

Meaning
to mix things up in a confused way or to make a mess of something
Example
He muddled the papers and couldn’t find the report.
B2 noun /maɪˈnɔːr.ɪ.ti/

minority

Meaning
A smaller number or part, especially a group differing from the majority.
Example
The law aims to protect the rights of ethnic minorities.
B1 noun /ˈmiːtər/

meter

Meaning
A unit of length in the metric system equal to 100 centimeters; also, a device that measures quantity such as electricity or gas.
Example
The technician came to check the electricity meter.
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.
C1 noun /məˈtɜːrnəti/

Maternity

Meaning
The state of being a mother; motherhood
Example
The hospital has an excellent maternity ward for new mothers.
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.
B1 verb /ˈmɛʒər/

measure

Meaning
to determine the size, amount, or degree of something
Example
She measured the length of the table.
C2 noun /ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪks/

metaphysics

Meaning
The branch of philosophy that deals with the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between mind and matter.
Example
She studied metaphysics to understand the principles of existence beyond physical science.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.waɪf/

midwife

Meaning
A person, typically a woman, trained to assist women during childbirth.
Example
The midwife stayed with the mother throughout her labor.
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 /ˈmæləprɒˌpɪzəm/

malapropism

Meaning
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with amusing effect
Example
He is famous for his malapropism when speaking in public.
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.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈmɒdɪst/

modest

Meaning
Having or showing a humble estimate of one’s importance; simple and not extravagant.
Example
She lives in a modest house in the countryside.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈkɒn.dʌkt/

Misconduct

Meaning
Unacceptable or improper behavior, especially by a professional person
Example
The officer was dismissed for professional misconduct.
C1 noun ˌmʌn.ɪ.taɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

monetization

Meaning
Converting an asset or service into a way of earning money.
Example
YouTube allows content creators to earn money through monetization.
A1 adjective, adverb, pronoun /mɔːr/

more

Meaning
A greater or additional amount or degree.
Example
She wanted more time to finish the project.
C1 adjective /miːk/

Meek

Meaning
gentle and submissive; humble; patient
Example
Despite his power, he remained meek and humble.
C1 noun /ˈmɪm.ɪk/

Mimic

Meaning
A person who copies or imitates the actions, speech, or mannerisms of others
Example
The talented mimic could perfectly imitate famous celebrities.
C2 verb /ˈmæɡnɪtaɪz/

magnetize

Meaning
to make something magnetic or to strongly attract
Example
The scientist managed to magnetize the iron rod.
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.
C2 noun /ˈmɛndɪkənt/

mendicant

Meaning
a beggar; a person who lives by asking for alms
Example
The mendicant asked for food at the monastery gate.
C1 verb /məˈnuː.vər/

manoeuver

Meaning
To move skillfully or carefully; to guide or manipulate into a desired position.
Example
The driver skillfully manoeuvered the car through the narrow street.
C2 noun /ˌmɪsˈnoʊmər/

misnomer

Meaning
A wrong or inaccurate name or designation.
Example
Calling the tiny dog a 'giant' is a misnomer.
C1 noun /ˈmɒd.ə.sti/

Modesty

Meaning
the quality of being humble and not boastful about achievements
Example
Despite his success, he showed great modesty.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ə.stər.i/

Monastery

Meaning
a building or group of buildings where monks live and worship
Example
The ancient monastery was built on a hilltop.
C1 noun /ˈmʌltɪtuːd/

multitude

Meaning
A large number of people or things.
Example
A multitude of fans gathered at the stadium.
B2 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd/

Mustard

Meaning
A pungent seed or condiment made from ground mustard seeds
Example
She added mustard seeds to the curry for extra flavor.
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.
C1 verb /mɪns/

mince

Meaning
to cut into very small pieces; to walk with short quick steps
Example
She minced the garlic for the recipe.
C2 verb /ˈmæk.ɪ.neɪt/

machinate

Meaning
to engage in plots or schemes, usually for harmful or evil purposes
Example
The rebels tried to machinate against the king.
B2 verb /ˈmɑː.vəl/

marvel

Meaning
To be filled with wonder or astonishment.
Example
People marvel at their surroundings.
C1 adjective /ˈmuː.və.bl̩/

Movable

Meaning
capable of being moved; not fixed in position
Example
The furniture is movable so we can rearrange the room easily.
C1 noun /meər/

Mare

Meaning
an adult female horse
Example
The beautiful mare galloped across the meadow.
C2 noun /ˌmænjəˈmɪʃən/

manumission

Meaning
The act of a slave owner freeing their slaves.
Example
The manumission of the slaves marked a turning point in history.
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.
C1 adjective /mɪˈrækjələs/

Miraculous

Meaning
supernatural; amazing; extraordinary
Example
Her miraculous recovery amazed all the doctors.
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 /ˈmenəs/

Menace

Meaning
A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat
Example
The reckless driver was a menace to everyone on the road.
C1 noun, verb /məˈnuː.vər/

maneuver

Meaning
a planned or skillful movement or action; to move skillfully or carefully
Example
The pilot maneuvered the plane through the storm.
B1 noun /ˈmʌðər ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

mother language

Meaning
the first language a person learns from childhood; native language
Example
Children learn best when they are taught in their mother language.
C1 noun /ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriəm/

moratorium

Meaning
A temporary suspension or delay of an activity, law, or obligation.
Example
The government announced a moratorium on new mining licenses.
C1 noun /ˈmɑː.kɪt ˌpen.ɪˈtreɪ.ʃən/

Market Penetration

Meaning
A measure of the amount of sales or adoption of a product or service compared to the total theoretical market for that product or service.
Example
High market penetration ensures competitive dominance.
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 /ˈmælɪs/

Malice

Meaning
The intention or desire to do evil; ill will
Example
There was no malice in his criticism, just honest feedback.
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.
B1 noun /məˈkænɪk/

mechanic

Meaning
a person who repairs and maintains machines or vehicles
Example
The mechanic fixed the engine in less than an hour.
C1 noun /mælˈpræktɪs/

Malpractice

Meaning
Improper, illegal, or negligent professional behavior
Example
The surgeon was sued for malpractice after the failed operation.
B2 verb /maʊnt/

mount

Meaning
to climb up, rise, or fix something in place
Example
They plan to mount a camera on the wall.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪhɛm/

mayhem

Meaning
Violent or extreme disorder; chaos and destruction.
Example
The protest turned into mayhem when the crowd clashed with the police.
B2 verb /məˈnɪpjʊleɪt/

manipulate

Meaning
to handle or control skillfully; to influence someone in a clever way
Example
She can manipulate the software to create stunning graphics.
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 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.
C1 noun /ˈmɪs.hæp/

Mishap

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

maunder

Meaning
To speak or move aimlessly and incoherently.
Example
He maundered on about his old memories.
C2 noun /ˈmær.oʊ ʌv ˈplæn.tɪn triː/

Marrow of plantain tree

Meaning
the soft inner part of the banana plant stem that is used as a vegetable in cooking
Example
The marrow of plantain tree is commonly used in traditional Bengali cuisine.
B1 noun /ˈmeɪkʌp/

makeup

Meaning
cosmetics used to enhance or alter appearance
Example
She applied makeup before the party.
C1 adjective /ˈmæn.əd/

mannered

Meaning
Having or showing a particular manner, especially an artificial or affected one.
Example
The actor’s performance was too mannered to feel natural.
C2 noun ˌmɛtəkɒɡˈnɪʃən

metacognition

Meaning
Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes
Example
Metacognition enhances problem-solving abilities.
C2 adjective /ˈmæk.jʊˌleɪ.tɪd/

maculated

Meaning
Spotted or stained; marked with blemishes.
Example
The maculated surface of the old mirror gave it a unique charm.
B2 noun /ˈmænʃən/

mansion

Meaning
a large, impressive house
Example
The billionaire lives in a luxurious mansion overlooking the ocean.
C2 noun, verb /ˈmaɪər/

mire

Meaning
A stretch of swampy or boggy ground; as a verb, to entangle or involve someone in a difficult situation.
Example
The car was stuck in the mire after the heavy rain.
C2 noun /ˈmæn.li.nəs/

manliness

Meaning
The quality of being manly; courage, strength, and honor associated with men.
Example
His manliness was admired by his peers.
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.
B1 noun /ˈmɛθ.əd/

Method

Meaning
A particular way of doing something, especially a systematic or established procedure
Example
She developed a new method for solving mathematical problems.
A2 noun /mæθ/

math

Meaning
The study of numbers, quantities, and shapes, also called mathematics.
Example
She is very good at math.
A2 adjective /ˈmɒdən/

modern

Meaning
relating to the present or recent times, not ancient or old-fashioned
Example
They live in a modern apartment with new facilities.
C1 adjective /məˈlɪɡnənt/

malignant

Meaning
dangerous or harmful in influence or effect; medically, tending to invade and destroy tissue
Example
Doctors confirmed that the tumor was malignant.
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.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɪriəd/

myriad

Meaning
a countless or extremely great number
Example
There are myriad stars in the night sky.
B2 noun /ˈmʌð.ər.hʊd/

Motherhood

Meaning
the state of being a mother; the qualities of a mother
Example
She embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood.
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.
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.
C2 noun /məˈbɒkrəsi/

mobocracy

Meaning
Rule or control by a mob or mass of people, often disorderly.
Example
The protest turned into mobocracy when the crowd started destroying property.
C2 verb /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/

mollify

Meaning
To calm or soothe someone's anger or anxiety.
Example
The manager tried to mollify the angry customers with discounts.
C2 noun /mɔːrˈtɪʃən/

mortician

Meaning
a person whose job is to prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation and to arrange funerals
Example
The mortician prepared the body for the funeral service.
C2 noun /məˈnæʒəri/

menagerie

Meaning
a collection of wild animals kept for exhibition; a diverse or strange group of people or things
Example
The circus had a menagerie of exotic animals.
A2 noun /ˈmoʊ.mənt/

Moment

Meaning
a very brief period of time; an exact point in time
Example
Please wait a moment while I check your order.
B1 noun /ˈmeʒərmənt/

measurement

Meaning
the size, length, or amount of something, as determined by measuring
Example
The tailor took my waist measurement before stitching the suit.
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.
C2 noun /məˈnɪʃən/

monition

Meaning
A warning or caution, often of a religious or moral nature.
Example
The priest gave a monition against dishonesty.
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.'
A2 verb /ˈmænɪdʒ/

manage

Meaning
to control or organize something; to succeed in doing something difficult
Example
He manages a team of twenty employees effectively.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
C2 adjective /ˈmiː.di.əl/

medial

Meaning
Situated in or pertaining to the middle; located toward the midline of the body or structure.
Example
The medial side of the knee is more prone to injury.
B2 noun /məˈskiː.toʊ net/

Mosquito-net

Meaning
a fine mesh fabric used to cover beds or windows to keep mosquitoes and other insects out
Example
We use a mosquito net to protect ourselves from insect bites.
C2 noun ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ˈfreɪmwɜːrks

multifaceted information frameworks

Meaning
Complex, comprehensive structures for organizing and managing information that have multiple aspects or dimensions.
Example
Digital literacy involves building multifaceted information frameworks.
C1 verb /ˈmɒd.jʊ.leɪt/

modulate

Meaning
To change the strength, tone, or pitch of something; to adjust or regulate.
Example
A good speaker knows how to modulate their voice.
C1 noun /mɜːrθ/

mirth

Meaning
Great joy, amusement, or laughter.
Example
The festival was full of mirth and laughter.
C2 noun /ˈmæl.kənˌtɛnt/

malcontent

Meaning
A person who is dissatisfied or rebellious; one who is not content.
Example
The malcontent voiced his grievances against the government.
C1 adjective /məˈdʒen.tə/

Magenta

Meaning
a bright purplish-red color
Example
She wore a beautiful magenta dress to the party.
C1 noun /ˈmɒdɪfaɪər/

modifier

Meaning
a word or element that changes, limits, or describes the meaning of another word; something that alters or adjusts
Example
In the phrase 'very cold', 'very' is a modifier of 'cold'.
C2 adjective /ˈmɪn.ɪ.skjuːl/

miniscule

Meaning
Extremely small or tiny.
Example
The error was so miniscule that nobody noticed it.
C2 adjective /ˈmeɪndʒi/

mangy

Meaning
in poor condition, shabby, dirty, or affected by mange
Example
The stray dog looked mangy and weak.
C1 adjective /ˈmɪnəskjuːl/

minuscule

Meaning
extremely small in size or importance
Example
She made only a minuscule contribution to the project.
B2 adverb /ˈmiːn.taɪm/

Meantime

Meaning
during the time between two events; in the period of time between now and when something else happens
Example
The food will be ready in an hour; in the meantime, we can watch TV.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmɛləˌdrɑːmə/

melodrama

Meaning
A dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions.
Example
The movie was criticized for its excessive melodrama.
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.
C2 noun /ˈmɒdɪkəm/

modicum

Meaning
a small or moderate amount of something, especially something valuable or desirable
Example
She showed a modicum of patience during the long meeting.
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.
B1 noun /ˈmæɡnət/

magnet

Meaning
An object that produces a magnetic field and attracts metals like iron.
Example
The magnet held the paper to the fridge door.