oligarchy
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C1 noun /ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑːrki/

oligarchy

Meaning
A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.
Example
The nation was ruled by a wealthy oligarchy that controlled all resources.
C1 adjective ˈɒk.sɪ.də.tɪv

oxidative

Meaning
Related to or caused by oxidation, especially cellular damage from free radicals.
Example
Excess stress can lead to oxidative damage in cells.
C1 noun /ˈɔr.ə.tər/

Orator

Meaning
a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled in speaking
Example
The famous orator delivered an inspiring speech.
B2 noun /ˈɔːrnəmənt/

ornament

Meaning
A decorative object that adds beauty to something.
Example
The Christmas tree was decorated with colorful ornaments.
B2 verb /ɒpt/

opt

Meaning
to choose or decide to do something instead of something else
Example
Many students opt to study abroad for better opportunities.
A2 noun /ˈɒm.lət/

Omelet

Meaning
a dish made from beaten eggs cooked in a frying pan and often folded around a filling
Example
She made a cheese omelet for breakfast.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈstrɛtʃ/

outstretch

Meaning
To extend or stretch something outward.
Example
He outstretched his hand to help her up.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈθroʊ/

overthrow

Meaning
To remove a leader or government from power, often by force.
Example
The rebels planned to overthrow the corrupt regime.
B2 adjective ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk

organic

Meaning
Produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.
Example
Organic farming improves soil health and reduces pollution.
C1 adjective/adverb /ˌɒfˈhænd/

offhand

Meaning
Without previous thought or preparation; casual and sometimes dismissive.
Example
She gave an offhand reply to his serious question.
C1 verb /ˈɒs.ɪ.leɪt/

oscillate

Meaning
To swing or move back and forth between two points or states
Example
The stock market tends to oscillate during uncertain times.
B1 adverb /əˈrɪdʒɪnəli/

originally

Meaning
in the beginning, at first
Example
Originally, she wanted to be a doctor.
C2 noun /ˈɒksɪdənt/

occident

Meaning
The countries of the West, especially Europe and America.
Example
The Occident has a long history of philosophical thought.
C1 noun /ˌɑːsɪˈleɪʃən/

oscillation

Meaning
The movement back and forth at a regular speed.
Example
The oscillation of the pendulum controls the clock.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈduː/

overdo

Meaning
to do something too much; to exaggerate or carry to excess
Example
Don't overdo the exercise on your first day at the gym.
C1 adjective /əˈblɪɡ.ə.tɔː.ri/

obligatory

Meaning
Required by a legal, moral, or other rule; compulsory.
Example
Wearing a seatbelt is obligatory in most countries.
C2 noun /ɒmˈnɪpətəns/

omnipotence

Meaning
The quality of having unlimited power or authority.
Example
Many religions describe God’s omnipotence as absolute.
B2 noun /ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk ˈfɑːr.mɪŋ/

organic farming

Meaning
Farming method that avoids synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, using natural methods instead.
Example
Organic farming improves soil health and reduces pollution.
B2 noun /ˌɔː.ri.enˈteɪ.ʃən/

orientation

Meaning
the process of becoming familiar with a new situation or environment
Example
The company provides an orientation for all new employees.
C1 adjective /ˌəʊ.vərˈɑː.tʃɪŋ/

overarching

Meaning
Comprehensive or all-embracing; forming an arch over something.
Example
The overarching theme of the book is human resilience.
B1 noun /aʊl/

Owl

Meaning
a nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes and a hooked beak
Example
The owl hooted softly in the darkness of the forest.
B1 adjective, adverb /ˈoʊvərɔːl/

overall

Meaning
in general or as a whole
Example
Overall, the project has been successful.
C2 adjective /ˈɒpjʊlənt/

opulent

Meaning
Ostentatiously rich, luxurious, or lavish.
Example
They hosted an opulent wedding with gold decorations.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈrʌn/

overrun

Meaning
to spread over or occupy completely; to exceed a limit or time
Example
The garden was overrun with weeds.
B2 noun /əˈfɛns/

offense

Meaning
an illegal act; a crime
Example
The offense was committed in broad daylight.
B1 noun /ˈɑb.stə.kəl/

Obstacle

Meaning
something that blocks or makes progress difficult; a barrier
Example
Bad weather was the main obstacle to our journey.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈrɔt/

overwrought

Meaning
extremely agitated or nervous; excessively elaborate
Example
She was too overwrought to speak clearly after the accident.
C2 noun /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪzəm/

opportunism

Meaning
The practice of taking advantage of opportunities regardless of principles or ethics.
Example
His decision was driven by opportunism, not values.
C1 adjective /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs/

ostentatious

Meaning
Characterized by a showy or pretentious display intended to impress others.
Example
He wore an ostentatious gold chain to the party.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊtˈspoʊkən/

Outspoken

Meaning
frank; speaking directly
Example
She is known for being outspoken about social issues.
C2 noun /oʊˈbeɪsəns/

obeisance

Meaning
A gesture of respect such as a bow or curtsy.
Example
They bowed in obeisance to the king.
C2 noun /əbˈstɛtrɪks/

obstetrics

Meaning
The branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of women giving birth.
Example
She is studying obstetrics to become a specialist in childbirth.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtɪŋ/

outing

Meaning
a short trip or excursion, often for leisure or enjoyment
Example
They had a lovely outing at the beach last weekend.
B2 noun /əˈpoʊ.nənt/

Opponent

Meaning
a person who disagrees with or resists a proposal or practice; someone who competes against another
Example
The chess player defeated his strongest opponent.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈbɛrɪŋ/

overbearing

Meaning
unpleasantly or arrogantly domineering
Example
His overbearing attitude made everyone uncomfortable.
A2 noun əˈlɪm.pɪk ɡeɪmz

Olympic Games

Meaning
The world's largest international sports competition held every four years, bringing together athletes from different countries to compete in various sports.
Example
The Olympic Games bring together the world's top athletes.
C2 verb /ˈɑːblɪˌɡeɪt/

obligate

Meaning
to bind legally or morally; to compel someone to do something
Example
The contract obligates the company to provide timely service.
C1 noun /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɒn/

oxymoron

Meaning
a figure of speech where two contradictory terms are combined
Example
The phrase 'deafening silence' is a classic oxymoron.
C2 verb /ˈɑːskjʊleɪt/

osculate

Meaning
To kiss.
Example
They osculated under the mistletoe during the party.
C1 adjective əʊˈpeɪk

opaque

Meaning
Not able to be seen through; not transparent; difficult to understand.
Example
The glass was too opaque to see through.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈliːp/

overleap

Meaning
To jump over something; to omit or disregard something.
Example
He managed to overleap the fence easily.
B2 verb /ˈɒkjʊpaɪ/

occupy

Meaning
to take up space or time; to live or work in a place
Example
The new family will occupy the house next month.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtpoʊst/

outpost

Meaning
A small military camp or position at some distance from the main force, used especially as a guard.
Example
The soldiers were stationed at a remote outpost.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.kən/

oaken

Meaning
made of or resembling oak wood
Example
The villagers gathered around the oaken table in the hall.
B2 noun /ˈɒfərɪŋ/

offering

Meaning
something that is given, especially as a gift or contribution
Example
The company’s latest offering is an eco-friendly car.
A1 pronoun, noun, adjective /wʌn/

one

Meaning
the number equivalent to the sum of zero and one; a single person or thing
Example
Only one student answered the question.
C1 noun ˌoʊ.vɚˈɡreɪ.zɪŋ

overgrazing

Meaning
The practice of allowing livestock to graze to the point of damaging vegetation.
Example
Overgrazing leads to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.
A2 preposition /ˈɒntu/

onto

Meaning
moving to a position on the surface of something
Example
She jumped onto the table to get the book.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈstrɪp/

outstrip

Meaning
To go faster or do better than someone or something; to surpass.
Example
The company outstripped its competitors in sales last year.
C2 noun /əˈblɪkwɪti/

obliquity

Meaning
Deviation from moral or usual conduct; indirectness or lack of straightforwardness.
Example
The politician was criticized for the obliquity of his answers.
B2 adjective /ˈɒp.tɪ.məl/

optimal

Meaning
Best or most favorable; the most effective under particular conditions.
Example
The optimal temperature for plant growth is around 25°C.
C2 noun /əbˈsɪdiən/

obsidian

Meaning
A hard, dark, glasslike volcanic rock formed by rapid solidification of lava.
Example
The knife was made from sharp obsidian.
C1 verb /aʊtˈwɪt/

outwit

Meaning
to defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being more clever or cunning
Example
The fox managed to outwit the hunters.
C2 noun /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/

orthography

Meaning
The conventional spelling system of a language.
Example
English orthography can be confusing for learners.
C2 adjective /əbˈtruːsɪv/

obtrusive

Meaning
noticeable in an unpleasant or unwelcome way; intrusive
Example
The advertisement was so obtrusive that it ruined the user’s experience.
B2 adjective /aʊtˈreɪdʒəs/

outrageous

Meaning
Shockingly bad or excessive; very unusual or amusing.
Example
The comedian told an outrageous joke.
C2 noun /ˈɑb.lə.kwi/

Obloquy

Meaning
harsh criticism or verbal abuse; strong public condemnation
Example
The politician faced obloquy after the scandal.
C1 noun ˌɒb.səˈlɛs.əns

obsolescence

Meaning
The process of becoming obsolete or outdated and no longer used.
Example
The rapid advancement of technology leads to the obsolescence of old devices.
C1 noun /əˈkɜr.əns/

Occurrence

Meaning
an instance or event of something happening; the fact of occurring
Example
The occurrence of earthquakes is common in this region.
C2 noun /ˈoʊpiət/

opiate

Meaning
a drug containing opium or its derivatives, used to relieve pain or cause sleep
Example
The doctor prescribed an opiate to relieve the patient's pain.
C2 noun /ˈɒrɪz(ə)n/

orison

Meaning
a prayer, especially a devout or formal one
Example
He whispered a quiet orison before going to sleep.
B2 noun ˈɔː.bɪt

orbit

Meaning
The curved path of a celestial object around a star, planet, or moon.
Example
The satellite maintains its orbit around Earth.
B2 noun ɔːˈɡæn.ɪk fuːdz

organic foods

Meaning
Food produced without the use of chemicals such as artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or other artificial agents.
Example
Organic foods are healthier than processed foods.
C2 adjective /ˈoʊ.pən ˈhɑrt.ɪd/

Open-hearted

Meaning
Kind and generous; sincere and honest; warmly receptive;
Example
She welcomed the strangers with an open-hearted smile and invited them for dinner.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːbdjʊrət/

obdurate

Meaning
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
Example
He remained obdurate despite everyone's pleas.
A2 adjective /ˈɒb.vi.əs/

Obvious

Meaning
easily perceived or understood; clear and apparent to the mind
Example
It was obvious that she was upset about something.
C2 noun ˌɒbfəsˈkeɪʃən

obfuscation

Meaning
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
Example
The obfuscation of the data made it difficult to interpret.
B2 noun/verb /ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/

outrage

Meaning
A strong feeling of anger and shock; to arouse anger or shock.
Example
The unfair decision caused public outrage.
B2 noun /ˈɒp.tɪ.mɪ.zəm/

optimism

Meaning
Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
Example
Her optimism helped her overcome difficult times.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtriːtʃ/

outreach

Meaning
The act of providing services or support to people who might not otherwise have access to them.
Example
The charity launched a new outreach program for the homeless.
B1 noun /əˈpɪn.jən/

Opinion

Meaning
a view or judgment formed about something; a belief or assessment based on grounds short of proof
Example
In my opinion, this is the best solution.
C2 noun /ɑːlˈfækʃən/

olfaction

Meaning
The sense of smell; the process of detecting and perceiving odors.
Example
Dogs have a highly developed sense of olfaction.
C1 noun /ˈɒf.sprɪŋ/

offspring

Meaning
a person's child or children; an animal's young
Example
The bird carefully fed its offspring.
B1 adjective /əˈbiː.di.ənt/

Obedient

Meaning
willing to comply with orders or instructions; submissive
Example
The obedient student always follows the teacher's instructions.
C1 noun /ɔːr/

Oar

Meaning
a long pole with a flat blade used to row a boat
Example
He dipped the oar into the water and pulled the boat forward.
C1 adjective /əbˈtjuːs/

Obtuse

Meaning
annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand; lacking in intelligence or perception
Example
He was being deliberately obtuse about the instructions.
C1 noun /oʊˈbɪt.ʃu.er.i/

Obituary

Meaning
a notice of someone's death published in a newspaper; biographical account of deceased person
Example
The newspaper published his obituary yesterday.
B2 noun /ˈoʊ.vər ɡroʊθ/

Over growth

Meaning
excessive growth beyond normal size; too much development or expansion
Example
The overgrowth of weeds made the garden look untidy.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌsɛt/

outset

Meaning
the beginning or start of something
Example
From the outset, the project seemed ambitious but achievable.
C1 adjective /əbˈzɜːrvənt/

Observant

Meaning
quick to notice things; watchful; attentive
Example
The observant detective noticed every small detail at the crime scene.
C1 noun /əbˈzɜːvəns/

observance

Meaning
The practice of following a custom, rule, or religious law.
Example
The festival is held in observance of a centuries-old tradition.
C1 adjective /aʊtˈmoʊdɪd/

outmoded

Meaning
No longer in fashion or useful; outdated.
Example
That old computer is completely outmoded.
B2 noun /ˌoʊ.vɚˈkraʊ.dɪŋ/

overcrowding

Meaning
Excessive crowd or packed condition, having more people or vehicles in a place than the approved capacity.
Example
The subway system suffers from severe overcrowding during peak hours.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊpəˈlɛsənt/

opalescent

Meaning
showing or reflecting a milky, iridescent light like an opal
Example
The opalescent sky glowed with shades of pink and blue.
C1 noun /ˌoʊvərprəˈdʌkʃən/

overproduction

Meaning
The act of producing more of something than is needed or can be consumed.
Example
The economic crisis was caused by the overproduction of goods.
C1 adjective /ˌɒbsəˈliːt/

obsolete

Meaning
No longer in use or out of date.
Example
Floppy disks are now completely obsolete.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtˌɡroʊθ/

outgrowth

Meaning
something that grows out of something else; a natural development or result
Example
The new policy was an outgrowth of years of debate.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌskɜːrt/

outskirt

Meaning
the outer edge or border of a town or city
Example
They built a new factory on the outskirts of the city.
B2 noun ˈɒksɪdʒən prəˈdʌkʃən

oxygen production

Meaning
The process of generating oxygen through photosynthesis or other means.
Example
Plants are vital for oxygen production and the maintenance of life.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈsiː/

oversee

Meaning
to supervise or watch over something; to manage and direct
Example
The manager will oversee the entire construction project.
B2 noun /ˈoʊvərpæs/

overpass

Meaning
A bridge that carries one road or railway over another.
Example
The new overpass reduced traffic congestion in the city.
B2 noun /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzər/

organizer

Meaning
a person who arranges or coordinates activities, events, or groups; a tool or item used to keep things in order
Example
She worked as the main organizer of the international conference.
C2 noun /ˈɒn.rʌʃ/

onrush

Meaning
A sudden powerful forward or downward rush or flow.
Example
The onrush of water swept away the bridge.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈduː/

outdo

Meaning
To do better than someone else; to surpass.
Example
She always tries to outdo her classmates in exams.
B2 verb /əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt/

originate

Meaning
to come into existence; to begin; to create or produce
Example
The tradition originated in ancient times.
C1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈbloʊn/

overblown

Meaning
excessively exaggerated or inflated
Example
The controversy was overblown by the media.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/

outskirts

Meaning
The outer parts of a town or city, away from the center.
Example
They moved to the outskirts of the city for a quieter life.
C1 verb əˈblɪt.ə.reɪt

obliterate

Meaning
To destroy utterly; wipe out completely, to erase or remove something completely.
Example
The storm obliterated entire villages.
A1 adverb /wʌns/

Once

Meaning
one time only; at some time in the past; formerly
Example
I have been to Paris once in my life.
C2 noun /ˌɒktədʒəˈnɛəriən/

octogenarian

Meaning
A person who is between 80 and 89 years old.
Example
The octogenarian still jogs every morning to stay healthy.
B2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/

overwhelming

Meaning
Very intense; overpowering.
Example
Large tasks can feel overwhelming.
C1 verb /əbˈsɛs/

obsess

Meaning
To preoccupy or fill the mind of someone continually and to an excessive degree.
Example
She tends to obsess over small details.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtlet/

outlet

Meaning
a means by which something is released, expressed, or distributed
Example
Art is a great outlet for emotions.
C2 noun /ˈɒfərtɔːri/

offertory

Meaning
The part of a religious service when offerings are collected; the offering itself.
Example
The offertory was taken during the Sunday service.
C1 noun /ˈɑːdəsi/

odyssey

Meaning
a long, adventurous journey; a series of experiences
Example
Her career has been an odyssey of challenges and achievements.
C1 noun /əˈpreʃ.ən/

Oppression

Meaning
cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority; the state of being subject to harsh treatment
Example
The people fought against political oppression.
A2 noun /ˈoʊ.nər/

Owner

Meaning
a person who owns something; someone who has legal possession of property
Example
The owner of the restaurant greeted us warmly.
A1 verb, adjective /oʊn/

own

Meaning
to possess something; belonging to oneself
Example
She owns a beautiful house in the city.
A2 noun /ˈɒf.ɪs/

office

Meaning
a room or building where people work, usually at desks
Example
She left the office early to attend a family event.
B1 verb /əˈkɜːr/

occur

Meaning
to happen or take place; to be found or present
Example
The accident occurred at the intersection during rush hour.
B2 noun /ˈaʊt.laɪn/

Outline

Meaning
a general description or plan showing the essential features of something; the main points
Example
The teacher provided an outline of the course syllabus.
B2 adjective, verb /əbˈskjʊr/

obscure

Meaning
Not clearly expressed or understood; to make something difficult to see or understand.
Example
The meaning of the poem was obscure to most readers.
B2 noun /ˌɒb.zəˈveɪ.ʃənz/

observations

Meaning
The action or process of observing something carefully.
Example
Observations of distant galaxies provide new insights.
C2 adjective /ˌoʊdəˈrɪfərəs/

odoriferous

Meaning
having or giving off a smell, especially a strong or pleasant one
Example
The garden was filled with odoriferous flowers.
C2 noun /ˌoʊpəˈlɛsəns/

opalescence

Meaning
a milky or pearly appearance of a surface like that of an opal
Example
The pearl had a gentle opalescence under the light.
B2 adverb /ˈoʊpənli/

Openly

Meaning
in a frank and honest way; without concealment; publicly
Example
She spoke openly about her struggles with mental health.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtlʊk/

outlook

Meaning
a person's general attitude or view; a forecast or prospect
Example
The economic outlook for the year is positive.
B1 verb /oʊ/

owe

Meaning
to be under obligation to pay or repay; to be indebted
Example
I owe my success to my parents' support.
A2 noun /ˈɔr.dər/

Order

Meaning
a command or instruction; the arrangement of things following a particular sequence
Example
The teacher gave an order to sit down quietly.
B2 adjective /ˌɑːp.təˈmɪs.tɪk/

optimistic

Meaning
hopeful and confident about the future
Example
She is optimistic about the success of her new project.
C1 adjective /ˈaʊt.kɑːst/

Outcast

Meaning
rejected by society; excluded person
Example
He felt like an outcast in his new school.