murmur
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C1 verb /ˈmɜːrmər/

murmur

Meaning
To say something in a low, soft, or indistinct voice.
Example
She murmured a prayer before going to sleep.
C1 verb /məˈtɪərɪəlaɪz/

materialize

Meaning
To become real or actual; to appear suddenly or in a physical form.
Example
The opportunity he had been waiting for finally materialized.
C1 adjective /ˈmɒnstrəs/

Monstrous

Meaning
extremely large; shockingly evil or wrong; abnormal or unnatural
Example
The monstrous crime shocked the entire community.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmɔːrtər/

mortar

Meaning
a mixture used in building to bond bricks or stones together; also, a small cannon for firing shells
Example
The workers applied mortar between the bricks.
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.
C1 verb /ˈmæd.ən/

madden

Meaning
To make someone very angry or extremely annoyed.
Example
The constant noise maddened him.
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 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.
C1 verb /ˌmɪsˈriːd/

misread

Meaning
to read something incorrectly or interpret wrongly
Example
He misread the instructions and built the shelf incorrectly.
C1 adjective /məˈləʊ.di.əs/

Melodious

Meaning
having a pleasant musical sound; tuneful
Example
Her melodious voice captivated the entire audience.
C1 noun /ˌmaʊntəˈnɪə/

mountaineer

Meaning
A person who climbs mountains as a sport or profession.
Example
The mountaineer reached the summit after a long climb.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /mʌnˈdeɪn/

mundane

Meaning
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
Example
She tried to escape her mundane routine by traveling.
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.
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 verb /ˈmjuːteɪt/

mutate

Meaning
To change or cause to change in form, nature, or character.
Example
The virus can mutate into a more dangerous strain.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪniə/

Mania

Meaning
Mental illness marked by periods of great excitement; extreme enthusiasm
Example
She had a mania for collecting vintage postcards from around the world.
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.
C1 verb /məˈruːn/

maroon

Meaning
to leave someone trapped and isolated, especially on an island
Example
The sailors were marooned on a deserted island.
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.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /ˌmed.iˈiː.vəl/

Mediaeval

Meaning
relating to the Middle Ages; medieval
Example
The castle displayed mediaeval architecture and design.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
C1 noun /ˌmɛrɪˈtɒkrəsi/

meritocracy

Meaning
A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.
Example
In a true meritocracy, the most capable people rise to leadership positions.
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 verb /ˈmɪŋɡl/

mingle

Meaning
to mix or combine; to move among people and engage socially
Example
Guests mingled at the party, chatting and laughing together.
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 /ˈmæroʊ/

Marrow

Meaning
A soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones; the essence of something
Example
The bone marrow produces blood cells in the human body.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈdiːd/

Misdeed

Meaning
A wicked or illegal act; wrongdoing
Example
He regretted his past misdeeds and tried to make amends.
C1 noun /ˈmɒn.ɑːk/

Monarch

Meaning
a sovereign ruler, especially a king or queen
Example
The monarch addressed the nation on television.
C1 noun ˌmɪs.kənˈsɛp.ʃən

misconception

Meaning
A wrong idea or false understanding about something.
Example
There is a common misconception that success happens overnight.
C1 noun /mɑːrʃ/

Marsh

Meaning
An area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide
Example
The endangered birds built their nests in the protected marsh.
C1 noun /ˈmelənkəli/

Melancholy

Meaning
A feeling of pensive sadness; thoughtful or gentle sadness
Example
A deep melancholy settled over him after reading the old letters.
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.
C1 noun /məˈnɒɡəmi/

monogamy

Meaning
The practice of being married to or in a relationship with only one person at a time.
Example
Many cultures encourage monogamy as the ideal form of marriage.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmjʊr.əl/

Mural

Meaning
a painting or artwork applied directly on a wall or ceiling
Example
The artist painted a beautiful mural on the school wall.
C1 noun /ˈmæɡnɪtuːd/

Magnitude

Meaning
The great size or extent of something; importance
Example
The magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 7.5 on the Richter scale.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɪstɪk/

mystic

Meaning
relating to mysteries, spirituality, or hidden truths; a person who seeks spiritual insight
Example
The mystic devoted his life to meditation and spiritual discovery.
C1 verb /mɑːr/

mar

Meaning
to spoil or damage the appearance or quality of something
Example
The scratch will mar the beauty of the painting.
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.
C1 noun /mɔːˈtæləti/

mortality

Meaning
the state of being subject to death; the death rate of a population
Example
Advancements in medicine have reduced child mortality significantly.
C1 adjective /ˈmɔːrn.fəl/

mournful

Meaning
feeling, expressing, or causing sadness or grief
Example
The mournful song reminded her of lost loved ones.
C1 noun məˈriːn ˈsɜː.veɪ

marine survey

Meaning
A systematic examination of the sea, seabed, and underwater features for the purpose of making maps or gathering other information.
Example
The marine survey identified the ideal cable routes.
C1 adjective /məˈnæstɪk/

monastic

Meaning
Relating to monks, monasteries, or a life of religious seclusion.
Example
He chose to live a monastic life away from the city.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈmæliəbl̩/

malleable

Meaning
Easily shaped or influenced; capable of being bent or adapted.
Example
Gold is a highly malleable metal used in jewelry.
C1 adjective /ˌmɒnəˈlɪθɪk/

monolithic

Meaning
Massive, uniform, and indivisible; resembling a large single stone or structure.
Example
The company maintained a monolithic structure resistant to change.
C1 noun /ˈmɪs.hæp/

Mishap

Meaning
An unlucky accident or unfortunate event, typically minor
Example
The cooking mishap resulted in a burnt dinner.
C1 adjective /moʊˈmentəs/

Momentous

Meaning
of great importance or significance; having far-reaching consequences
Example
The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous occasion for both countries.
C1 noun /ˈmænər/

manor

Meaning
A large country house with lands; the main house of an estate.
Example
The old manor stood proudly on the hill for centuries.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmaɪlɪdʒ/

mileage

Meaning
The distance traveled in miles, or the fuel efficiency of a vehicle.
Example
This car gives excellent mileage on highways.
C1 verb /ˈmʌtər/

mutter

Meaning
to speak in a low or barely audible voice, often in dissatisfaction or irritation
Example
He muttered something under his breath as he walked away.
C1 adverb /maɪˈnjuːtli/

Minutely

Meaning
in very small detail; extremely carefully
Example
The detective examined the evidence minutely.
C1 noun /ˈmɪlɪtəˌrɪzəm/

militarism

Meaning
The belief in maintaining a strong military and using it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
Example
The rise of militarism in the region caused tension among neighboring countries.
C1 noun /miːlˈjuː/

milieu

Meaning
A person's social environment or surroundings.
Example
She grew up in an artistic milieu.
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 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 /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.
C1 noun /mæɡˈnɪfɪsəns/

magnificence

Meaning
splendor, grandeur, or impressive beauty
Example
The magnificence of the palace left everyone speechless.
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 adjective /ˌmer.ɪˈtɔː.ri.əs/

Meritorious

Meaning
deserving reward or praise; commendable; worthy of recognition
Example
His meritorious service to the community was recognized.
C1 noun /ˌmɒd.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

modulation

Meaning
The process of varying or controlling something.
Example
Proper modulation of voice enhances communication skills.
C1 noun ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən ˈstrætədʒiz

mitigation strategies

Meaning
Plans and actions designed to reduce the severity or impact of problems or risks.
Example
Governments must adopt mitigation strategies for climate change.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈmɑːrʃən/

martian

Meaning
Related to the planet Mars; or an imaginary being from Mars.
Example
The movie showed a Martian visiting Earth.
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 /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.
C1 noun /ˌmʌltɪˈplɪsɪti/

multiplicity

Meaning
A large number or variety of something.
Example
The project faced a multiplicity of challenges.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪniæk/

maniac

Meaning
a person who behaves in a wildly foolish, dangerous, or violent way
Example
The driver was speeding like a maniac.
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.
C1 verb /ˈmɛzməˌraɪz/

mesmerize

Meaning
To capture complete attention; to hypnotize or fascinate.
Example
The dancer's graceful movements mesmerized the audience.
C1 adjective /ˌmel.ənˈkɒl.ɪk/

Melancholic

Meaning
sad and thoughtful; feeling or expressing sadness
Example
The melancholic music made everyone feel sad.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɪriəd/

myriad

Meaning
a countless or extremely great number
Example
There are myriad stars in the night sky.
C1 noun /mɪsˈɡɪv.ɪŋ/

Misgiving

Meaning
A feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something
Example
She had serious misgivings about accepting the job offer.
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.
C1 adjective /məˈlɛvələnt/

malevolent

Meaning
Having or showing a wish to do evil or harm to others.
Example
The malevolent glare in his eyes frightened the children.
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 /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 ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

micronutrient

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by the body in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.
Example
Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for growth.
C1 adjective /ˌmet.əˈbɒl.ɪk/

metabolic

Meaning
Relating to the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Example
Regular exercise enhances metabolic efficiency.
C1 verb /ˈmɑːrʃəl/

marshal

Meaning
To arrange or organize people, events, or resources in an orderly way.
Example
The teacher marshaled the students for the field trip.
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 adjective /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/

multifaceted

Meaning
Having many different aspects or features
Example
The multifaceted approach to the problem resulted in innovative solutions.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪzərli/

miserly

Meaning
Unwilling to spend money; stingy.
Example
She lived a miserly life, refusing to buy anything new.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmæm.əθ/

mammoth

Meaning
An extinct large elephant-like animal with long curved tusks; also means something huge.
Example
The company faced a mammoth challenge during expansion.
C1 noun /ˈmeɪ.triˌɑːrk/

matriarch

Meaning
A woman who is the head of a family or community.
Example
The matriarch of the family made all important decisions.
C1 noun /ˌmiːdɪˈeɪʃən/

mediation

Meaning
Intervention between parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise.
Example
The mediation helped resolve the conflict between the two teams.
C1 adjective /mɪˈrækjələs/

Miraculous

Meaning
supernatural; amazing; extraordinary
Example
Her miraculous recovery amazed all the doctors.
C1 adjective /ˈmjuːtɪd/

muted

Meaning
softened in sound, color, or effect; subdued
Example
The room was painted in muted shades of blue and grey.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmɛm.wɑːr/

memoir

Meaning
A historical account or autobiography written from personal experience.
Example
The author’s memoir details her journey through hardship and success.
C1 noun /maɪm/

Mime

Meaning
A performer who acts without words, using only gestures and body movements
Example
The street mime entertained the crowd with his invisible box routine.
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.
C1 noun /ˈmʌltɪplaɪər/

multiplier

Meaning
a number or factor by which another number is multiplied; something that increases the effect or value of something else
Example
In economics, government spending can act as a multiplier for economic growth.
C1 verb /ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/

magnify

Meaning
to make something appear larger; to increase the importance or effect of something
Example
The microscope can magnify tiny objects for better observation.
C1 noun /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tənt/

Militant

Meaning
A person who uses aggressive or violent methods to promote a political or social cause
Example
The militant group demanded immediate political reforms.
C1 adjective məˈθɒd.ɪ.kəl

methodical

Meaning
Done according to a systematic or established procedure; orderly and systematic.
Example
His methodical research produced reliable results.
C1 noun ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn

modification

Meaning
The action of making changes to something.
Example
The plan required modification.
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.
C1 adjective /maɪˈɑːpɪk/

myopic

Meaning
lacking foresight or long-term perspective; also refers to nearsightedness
Example
The company’s myopic strategy led to long-term losses.
C1 noun /ˈmiːknəs/

Meekness

Meaning
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive
Example
His meekness was often mistaken for weakness by his colleagues.
C1 noun /ˈmætrəˌmoʊni/

matrimony

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

matinee

Meaning
A performance, especially a play or movie, that takes place in the afternoon.
Example
We bought tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinee.
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 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 adverb /ˈmɪdweɪ/

Midway

Meaning
halfway; at or to the middle point
Example
The project is midway through completion.
C1 noun /ˈmæksɪm/

maxim

Meaning
a short, well-known statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
Example
Honesty is a timeless maxim valued in every culture.
C1 noun /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/

misgivings

Meaning
feelings of doubt or concern about the outcome or propriety of something
Example
She had serious misgivings about signing the contract.
C1 verb /ˈməʊbɪlaɪz/

mobilize

Meaning
to organize or prepare people or resources for action
Example
The leader worked hard to mobilize the community for the protest.
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 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.
C1 noun /ˈmænɪkɪn/

mannequin

Meaning
a life-sized model of a human figure used by shops to display clothes
Example
The mannequin in the shop window was dressed in a red gown.
C1 adjective /ˈmæn.li/

Manly

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

misdemeanor

Meaning
A minor wrongdoing or criminal offense that is less serious than a felony.
Example
He was fined for a misdemeanor involving public disturbance.