ordinance
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C1 noun /ˈɔːrdɪnəns/

ordinance

Meaning
An authoritative rule, law, or decree issued by a city, town, or authority.
Example
The city council passed an ordinance banning smoking in public parks.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈɒpjʊlənt/

opulent

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

overreach

Meaning
to go beyond what is proper, acceptable, or achievable; to overextend
Example
The politician overreached by making promises he couldn't keep.
B2 adverb /ˈɒdli/

oddly

Meaning
in a strange or unusual way; unexpectedly
Example
Oddly, he didn’t seem upset by the bad news.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlm/

overwhelm

Meaning
to overpower someone emotionally or physically; to be too much to handle
Example
She was overwhelmed with gratitude after receiving the help.
A2 adverb /ˈɒbviəsli/

obviously

Meaning
in a way that is easily perceived or understood; clearly
Example
Obviously, he didn’t read the instructions.
C1 adjective /ˌɔːrnəˈmɛntl/

ornamental

Meaning
Serving as decoration; decorative rather than functional.
Example
The garden was filled with ornamental plants.
C2 adjective /ɒmˈnɪʃ.ənt/

Omniscient

Meaning
having complete knowledge; all-knowing
Example
The narrator in the novel appears to be omniscient, knowing every character's thoughts.
B1 adjective /əˈfɪʃəl/

official

Meaning
relating to or connected with an authority or public office
Example
He is the official spokesperson for the company.
B1 noun /ˈɑp.ʃən/

Option

Meaning
a thing that is or may be chosen; an alternative course of action
Example
You have the option to work from home or office.
C2 noun /oʊˈbeɪsəns/

obeisance

Meaning
A gesture of respect such as a bow or curtsy.
Example
They bowed in obeisance to the king.
B2 adverb /əˈfɪʃəli/

officially

Meaning
in a formal or authorized way
Example
The building was officially opened by the mayor.
C1 noun /ɒpˈtɒmɪtrɪst/

optometrist

Meaning
A healthcare professional who examines eyes and prescribes corrective lenses.
Example
The optometrist prescribed new glasses for her.
A1 interjection /oʊ/

oh

Meaning
used to express surprise, realization, or understanding
Example
Oh, I didn't know you were here!
B2 adverb /ˌoʊvərˈnaɪt/

Overnight

Meaning
during the night; suddenly; very quickly
Example
The city was transformed overnight.
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.
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 /ˈɒfʃuːt/

offshoot

Meaning
A branch or result that develops from something larger or more important.
Example
The startup was an offshoot of a major tech company.
A2 noun /əˈlɪmpɪks/

olympics

Meaning
an international sports competition held every four years with athletes from many countries
Example
The Olympics bring athletes from all over the world together.
B2 adjective; verb (past participle) /ˈɒkjʊpaɪd/

occupied

Meaning
being in use or taken; filled or lived in; controlled or held by force
Example
The room is occupied, so please wait outside.
A2 adjective/adverb /ˈɒnˌlaɪn/

online

Meaning
connected to or available through the internet
Example
I prefer shopping online rather than going to stores.
A2 verb /ˈɔːfər/

offer

Meaning
to present something for acceptance or rejection; to propose
Example
She offered to help with the project.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊtˈlændɪʃ/

outlandish

Meaning
Looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar; strange.
Example
He wore an outlandish costume to the festival.
B2 noun/verb /ˈoʊvərˌdoʊs/

overdose

Meaning
An excessive and dangerous amount of a drug; to take too much of a substance.
Example
He was rushed to the hospital after a drug overdose.
C1 noun ˈaʊt.sɔːr.sɪŋ

outsourcing

Meaning
The practice of having certain job functions done outside a company instead of having an in-house department or employee handle them.
Example
Many companies use outsourcing to reduce labor costs.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

outgoing

Meaning
Friendly and sociable; inclined to mix with others.
Example
He is an outgoing person who loves meeting new people.
A1 adverb /aʊt/

out

Meaning
moving or appearing away from the inside or center; not at home or present
Example
He stepped out of the room quietly.
B2 noun /əˈfens/

Offence

Meaning
a breach of law or rule; an annoyance or resentment
Example
Stealing is a serious offence punishable by law.
C2 adjective /ˈɑːsɪˌfaɪd/

ossified

Meaning
Turned into bone or become rigid; unwilling to change.
Example
The company had an ossified management structure that resisted innovation.
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.
C1 noun /ˈoʊvərˌtʊr/

overture

Meaning
An introduction to something more substantial; a proposal or preliminary action.
Example
The peace overture was welcomed by both nations.
B2 verb /əˈpoʊz/

oppose

Meaning
to disagree with or resist; to act against
Example
Many citizens oppose the new tax policy.
B1 noun ˈɒk.sɪ.dʒən

oxygen

Meaning
A colorless, odorless reactive gas, the chemical element of atomic number 8 and the life-supporting component of the air.
Example
Oxygen is vital for life.
C1 verb /əˈfɪʃieɪt/

officiate

Meaning
To perform official duties, especially in a ceremony or as a referee.
Example
The priest will officiate the wedding ceremony.
B2 noun /ˈoʊ.dər/

Odour

Meaning
a distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one
Example
The odour of fresh bread filled the kitchen.
C1 noun /ˈɒf.sprɪŋ/

offspring

Meaning
a person's child or children; an animal's young
Example
The bird carefully fed its offspring.
C2 noun /əˈprəʊ.bri.əm/

opprobrium

Meaning
Harsh criticism or public disgrace.
Example
The scandal brought opprobrium on the politician.
B2 verb /əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt/

originate

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

overpower

Meaning
To defeat or gain control over someone or something by using greater strength or force.
Example
The soldiers managed to overpower the enemy forces.
B2 adjective /ˌfæʃ.ənd/

Outdated

Meaning
obsolete; no longer current
Example
This computer software is completely outdated.
B2 noun /əbˈdʒek.ʃən/

Objection

Meaning
an expression of disagreement or disapproval; a reason for disagreeing
Example
The lawyer raised an objection during the trial.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌfɪt/

outfit

Meaning
A set of clothes worn together, often for a particular occasion.
Example
She wore a beautiful outfit to the party.
A2 modal verb /ɔːt/

ought

Meaning
Used to indicate duty, correctness, or moral obligation.
Example
You ought to respect your elders.
C1 noun /oʊˈveɪʃən/

ovation

Meaning
an enthusiastic show of approval, especially by clapping hands
Example
The actor received a standing ovation after his performance.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈneɪt/

ornate

Meaning
elaborately or highly decorated
Example
The palace hall was filled with ornate furniture and paintings.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈduː/

outdo

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

opposed

Meaning
being against or in disagreement with something
Example
She is strongly opposed to animal testing.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtˌkraɪ/

outcry

Meaning
A strong expression of public anger or disapproval.
Example
The decision sparked an outcry among the citizens.
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.
A2 noun /ˈʌn.jən/

Onion

Meaning
a round vegetable with a strong taste and smell, made up of many layers
Example
I need to chop some onions for the curry recipe.
C1 noun /ˈɔːr.ə.tɔːr.i/

oratory

Meaning
The art of public speaking; skilled and confident delivery of speeches to an audience.
Example
His exceptional oratory skills won him the debate competition.
C2 verb /aʊtˈraɪd/

outride

Meaning
to ride faster, farther, or better than someone else
Example
The young rider managed to outride his competitors in the race.
C1 adjective /əbˈzɜːrvənt/

Observant

Meaning
quick to notice things; watchful; attentive
Example
The observant detective noticed every small detail at the crime scene.
B2 noun /ˈɔr.fən/

Orphan

Meaning
a child whose parents are dead; someone without protective support
Example
The orphan was adopted by a loving family.
C1 adjective /ˌəʊvərˈstɪmjʊˌleɪtɪd/

overstimulated

Meaning
Excessively excited or aroused, overwhelmed by too much stimulus.
Example
Overstimulated minds can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
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 /ˌaʊtˈsaɪdə(r)/

outsider

Meaning
a person who is not accepted as a member of a particular group or community
Example
As a new student, she often felt like an outsider at school.
C1 verb /uːz/

ooze

Meaning
to slowly flow or leak out through small openings or pores
Example
Blood began to ooze from the small cut.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
B1 adjective /ˈaʊtər/

outer

Meaning
situated on or toward the outside; external
Example
The outer layer of the jacket is waterproof.
A2 adjective /əˈlɪmpɪk/

olympic

Meaning
related to the Olympic Games, a major international sporting event
Example
She trained hard to compete in the Olympic Games.
B2 adverb /ˈəʊvəli/

overly

Meaning
to an excessive degree or extent
Example
She was overly concerned about the results.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈrʌn/

overrun

Meaning
to spread over or occupy completely; to exceed a limit or time
Example
The garden was overrun with weeds.
C1 noun ˌɒk.sɪˈdeɪ.ʃən

oxidation

Meaning
A chemical reaction that involves the combination of a substance with oxygen, often causing deterioration.
Example
Oxidation causes metal surfaces to weaken.
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.
C1 verb /ɔːrˈdeɪn/

ordain

Meaning
To officially make someone a priest or minister; to decree or order something officially.
Example
The bishop will ordain three new priests this Sunday.
C2 noun /ˈəʊpəs/

opus

Meaning
A creative work, especially a large and important piece of music or art.
Example
The composer considered the symphony his greatest opus.
B2 noun /ˈaʊtˌsɛt/

outset

Meaning
the beginning or start of something
Example
From the outset, the project seemed ambitious but achievable.
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.
C2 adjective /əbˈsiːkwɪəs/

obsequious

Meaning
Excessively obedient or attentive in a servile way.
Example
The waiter gave an obsequious bow to every customer.
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.
C2 noun /oʊliˈændər/

Oleander

Meaning
a poisonous evergreen shrub with clusters of white, pink, or red flowers
Example
The beautiful oleander flowers bloomed in the garden despite their toxic nature.
C1 adjective əˈblɪv.i.əs

oblivious

Meaning
Being completely unaware of surrounding events.
Example
He was oblivious to the noise around him while reading.
C2 noun /oʊˈbleɪʃən/

oblation

Meaning
a religious offering, especially of bread or wine to God
Example
The priest placed the oblation on the altar during the ceremony.
C1 noun /ˈɑd.ɪ.ti/

Oddity

Meaning
something that is strange or unusual; a peculiar trait
Example
His habit of sleeping standing up was considered an oddity.
C2 adjective /ˈɒkjʊlər/

ocular

Meaning
Relating to the eye or vision.
Example
The patient was referred to a specialist for ocular treatment.
C1 adjective /ˌaʊtˈspoʊkən/

Outspoken

Meaning
frank; speaking directly
Example
She is known for being outspoken about social issues.
A1 adjective /əʊˈkeɪ/

okay

Meaning
used to express agreement or acceptance
Example
It's okay to leave early today.
B1 noun ˌɔː.ɡən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

organization

Meaning
An organized group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department.
Example
The organization was officially inaugurated in 2024.
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.
A1 verb, adjective /oʊn/

own

Meaning
to possess something; belonging to oneself
Example
She owns a beautiful house in the city.
C2 adjective /ɔːrˈθɑːɡənl/

orthogonal

Meaning
at right angles; independent or unrelated
Example
In mathematics, two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product is zero.
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.
C2 noun /ˌɒpəˈrɛtə/

operetta

Meaning
a short opera with light and humorous themes
Example
The theater staged a famous operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan.
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 /ˈɔːɡənɪzəm/

organism

Meaning
a living thing that has an organized structure and can grow and reproduce
Example
Every organism needs water to survive.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrnɪˈθɑːlədʒi/

ornithology

Meaning
the scientific study of birds
Example
She pursued ornithology to understand the migration patterns of birds.
A1 adverb /ɔːf/

off

Meaning
away from a place, position, or time; not functioning
Example
He turned off the light before leaving the room.
C2 noun /ˈɒlɪv bɑːb/

Olive barb

Meaning
A small freshwater fish with olive-colored body and barbels
Example
The olive barb is commonly found in South Asian rivers.
B2 adjective /ˈɒp.ʃən.əl/

Optional

Meaning
not compulsory; left to choice
Example
Wearing a tie is optional for this event.
C2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈstraɪd/

overstride

Meaning
To stride over something; to step across with long steps.
Example
He managed to overstride the narrow stream with ease.
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.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈpeɪ/

overpay

Meaning
To pay more than is necessary or reasonable.
Example
She realized she had overpaid for the concert tickets.
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 /ˌɔːrəˈtɔːri.oʊ/

oratorio

Meaning
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a sacred theme, performed without costumes or scenery.
Example
Handel's 'Messiah' is one of the most famous oratorios ever written.
A2 adverb; noun /ˌaʊtˈdɔːrz/

outdoors

Meaning
outside a building; the natural environment outside
Example
We spent the whole afternoon outdoors enjoying the fresh air.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈɔːɡənaɪzd/

organized

Meaning
Arranged in a systematic way, especially on a large scale.
Example
An organized approach to work increases productivity and reduces stress.
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.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/

overload

Meaning
to load with too much weight or cargo; to give too much work or information
Example
Don't overload the washing machine or it might break down.
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 noun /ˈoʊ.mən/

Omen

Meaning
an event regarded as a sign of future good or bad luck
Example
Many people consider a black cat crossing your path a bad omen.
B2 noun, verb /ˈaʊtlɔː/

outlaw

Meaning
as a noun: a person who breaks the law and lives outside its protection; as a verb: to make something illegal
Example
The government decided to outlaw the harmful practice.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈɒfɪʃ/

offish

Meaning
Unfriendly, distant, or reserved in manner.
Example
He seemed offish at the party and avoided most conversations.
B2 noun/verb /ˌoʊvərˈlæp/

overlap

Meaning
To extend over and cover partly; an area where things coincide.
Example
The two meetings overlap by an hour.
C1 noun /ˈɒktəɡən/

octagon

Meaning
A polygon with eight sides and eight angles.
Example
The stop sign is shaped like an octagon.
C2 noun /ˈɔɪl.mən/

Oilman

Meaning
a person who works in the oil industry; someone who sells oil or petroleum products
Example
The oilman discovered a new oil field in the desert.
A1 adjective /ˈɔːr.ɪndʒ/

Orange

Meaning
having a color between red and yellow like that of a ripe orange fruit
Example
The orange sunset painted the sky magnificently.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈlʊk/

overlook

Meaning
to fail to notice or consider something; to have a view from above
Example
It's easy to overlook small details when you're in a hurry.
C1 noun /əbˈstrʌkʃən/

obstruction

Meaning
Something that blocks or gets in the way; the action of obstructing.
Example
There was an obstruction on the railway track.
C1 noun /ˈɒptɪks/

optics

Meaning
The branch of physics dealing with light and vision.
Example
She studied optics to understand how lenses work.
C1 noun /oʊˈmɪʃ.ən/

Omission

Meaning
the action of excluding or leaving out someone or something; a failure to include
Example
The omission of his name from the list was intentional.
B2 noun /ɒpˈtɪʃən/

optician

Meaning
A person who makes or sells glasses and contact lenses.
Example
The optician adjusted my new glasses to fit better.
B2 noun /oʊˈbiː.di.əns/

Obedience

Meaning
compliance with an order, request, or law; submission to authority
Example
Children should show obedience to their parents.
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.