orthodoxy
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C1 noun /ˈɔːrθədɑːksi/

orthodoxy

Meaning
traditional or generally accepted beliefs and practices
Example
The religious leader defended the orthodoxy of the faith.
B1 adjective /ˈaʊtər/

outer

Meaning
situated on or toward the outside; external
Example
The outer layer of the jacket is waterproof.
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.
C2 adjective /əbˈsiːkwɪəs/

obsequious

Meaning
Excessively obedient or attentive in a servile way.
Example
The waiter gave an obsequious bow to every customer.
C1 noun /oʊˈeɪ.sɪs/

Oasis

Meaning
a fertile spot in a desert where water is found; a pleasant refuge
Example
The travelers found an oasis after days in the desert.
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.
B2 noun /ˈɔr.fən.ɪʒ/

Orphanage

Meaning
an institution for the care and education of children who have lost their parents
Example
The charity built a new orphanage for homeless children.
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 adjective /ˌaʊt əv ðə ˈweɪ/

out-of-the-way

Meaning
remote or unusual; not in a convenient or usual location
Example
They stayed in an out-of-the-way village.
A2 pronoun /aʊərˈsɛlvz/

ourselves

Meaning
used by the speaker to refer to themselves and one or more others as the object of the verb
Example
We should help ourselves before helping others.
B2 adjective /aʊtˈstændɪŋ/

outstanding

Meaning
extremely good or impressive; not yet resolved or paid
Example
She received an award for her outstanding performance.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈpeɪ/

overpay

Meaning
To pay more than is necessary or reasonable.
Example
She realized she had overpaid for the concert tickets.
B2 noun /ˈɔɪ.stər/

Oyster

Meaning
a type of shellfish that can be eaten and sometimes contains pearls
Example
She ordered fresh oysters at the seafood restaurant.
C1 adjective /əbˈstrʌk.tɪv/

Obstructive

Meaning
deliberately creating difficulties or preventing progress; hindering or blocking something
Example
The obstructive policies hindered economic growth.
B1 noun /ˌɑk.jəˈpeɪ.ʃən/

Occupation

Meaning
a job or profession; the action of taking control of a place
Example
Teaching is her chosen occupation.
B2 verb /oʊˈmɪt/

omit

Meaning
to leave out or exclude; to fail to include something
Example
Please don't omit any important details from your report.
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.
A1 verb, adjective /oʊn/

own

Meaning
to possess something; belonging to oneself
Example
She owns a beautiful house in the city.
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.
C2 noun ˈɒpjʊləns

opulence

Meaning
Great wealth or luxuriousness.
Example
The opulence of the mansion was evident in its ornate furnishings.
C2 adjective /ˈɒf.biːt/

offbeat

Meaning
Unusual, unconventional, or different from the norm.
Example
She has a very offbeat sense of humor.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈkʌm/

overcome

Meaning
To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Example
You can overcome procrastination with planning.
C1 adjective ˈɒptɪmaɪzd

optimized

Meaning
Made as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible; improved to achieve maximum efficiency.
Example
The system has been optimized for faster performance.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdnəns/

ordnance

Meaning
Military supplies including weapons, ammunition, and combat equipment.
Example
The army stored ordnance in a secure facility outside the city.
C2 noun /ˈaʊtˌrɪɡər/

outrigger

Meaning
a projecting structure on a boat, used for stability, or a boat fitted with such support
Example
The fisherman paddled his outrigger canoe across the lagoon.
B2 noun /ˈɒkjʊpənt/

occupant

Meaning
A person who resides in or is present in a house, vehicle, seat, or place.
Example
The car had three occupants at the time of the accident.
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.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /əbˈzɜːrvənt/

Observant

Meaning
quick to notice things; watchful; attentive
Example
The observant detective noticed every small detail at the crime scene.
A1 pronoun /ˈʌðərz/

others

Meaning
people or things distinct from the ones already mentioned or known
Example
I like to spend time with others.
C1 noun /ˈəʊ.nəs/

onus

Meaning
A duty or responsibility, especially a heavy one.
Example
The onus is on the government to provide relief to the victims.
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 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.
C1 noun /ˈɒstrəsɪzəm/

ostracism

Meaning
The act of excluding someone from a group or society.
Example
The student faced ostracism after breaking the rules.
A1 adjective /oʊˈkeɪ/

ok

Meaning
used to indicate agreement, approval, or understanding
Example
Okay, let's go to the park.
B1 noun /ˈɔːfɪsər/

officer

Meaning
a person in a position of authority, especially in law enforcement
Example
The officer gave him a ticket for speeding.
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 /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊ/

overshadow

Meaning
to appear more important or significant than something else, reducing its impact
Example
The scandal overshadowed his achievements.
C2 noun /ˌɒn.əˌmæt.əˈpiː.ə/

onomatopoeia

Meaning
The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named.
Example
The word 'buzz' is an example of onomatopoeia.
C1 adjective /ˌɒmnɪˈprezənt/

omnipresent

Meaning
(of God) present everywhere at the same time.
Example
Social media has become an omnipresent force in modern society.
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.
C2 noun /ˈɒlɪv brɑːntʃ/

olive-branch

Meaning
A symbol of peace or reconciliation; an offer to end conflict.
Example
He extended an olive-branch to his rival after years of hostility.
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.
A1 preposition /ʌv/

of

Meaning
expressing the relationship between a part and a whole
Example
The book is on the table, in front of the window.
C1 noun/verb /ˈoʊvərˌhæŋ/

overhang

Meaning
To extend outward and hang over something; a projecting part.
Example
The roof overhang provides shade in the summer.
C1 adjective /əˈkʌlt/

occult

Meaning
Relating to mysterious, supernatural, or magical powers and practices.
Example
She had always been fascinated by the occult and its hidden knowledge.
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.
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 adjective /ˈɔːrəˌtʌnd/

orotund

Meaning
full, rich, and clear in sound; pompous in style
Example
The actor's orotund voice filled the theater.
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 /ˈɔːrθədɑːks/

orthodox

Meaning
conforming to traditional beliefs or practices
Example
He comes from a very orthodox family.
C1 noun ˌɒp.tɪ.maɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

optimization

Meaning
Improving processes to increase performance and efficiency.
Example
SEO optimization helps websites rank higher on search engines.
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.
C1 noun /ˌəʊvərɪksˌplɔɪˈteɪʃən/

overexploitation

Meaning
The unsustainable use of natural resources at a rate that exceeds their ability to regenerate, leading to depletion and environmental degradation.
Example
Overexploitation of natural resources leads to environmental degradation.
B2 noun /ˌɒb.zəˈveɪ.ʃənz/

observations

Meaning
The action or process of observing something carefully.
Example
Observations of distant galaxies provide new insights.
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.
A2 verb /ˈɔːfər/

offer

Meaning
to present something for acceptance or rejection; to propose
Example
She offered to help with the project.
B2 noun /ˈɔːɡən/

organ

Meaning
a part of the body that performs a specific function
Example
The heart is an important organ in the human body.
C1 noun /ˈoʊ.vər spɪl/

Over-spill

Meaning
the overflow of liquid from a container; excess that cannot be contained
Example
The overspill from the river flooded nearby farms.
A2 adverb /ˈɒbviəsli/

obviously

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

outlast

Meaning
to continue longer than; to endure beyond someone or something else
Example
The old castle has outlasted many generations.
B1 adjective /əˈkeɪ.ʒən.əl/

Occasional

Meaning
occurring infrequently or irregularly; happening from time to time
Example
She enjoys occasional walks in the park.
C2 adjective /ˌɒbsəˈlɛsnt/

obsolescent

Meaning
Becoming outdated or on the way to becoming obsolete.
Example
The obsolescent technology could not compete with modern devices.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈɒptɪkəl/

optical

Meaning
related to or used in seeing or sight
Example
The optical illusion fooled everyone at the exhibition.
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 adjective/adverb /ˌɒfˈhænd/

offhand

Meaning
Without previous thought or preparation; casual and sometimes dismissive.
Example
She gave an offhand reply to his serious question.
A2 noun /ˈʌv.ən/

Oven

Meaning
an enclosed compartment used for heating, baking, or drying food
Example
She baked cookies in the oven for thirty minutes.
C2 verb /ˌaʊtməˈnuːvər/

outmaneuver

Meaning
to gain an advantage over an opponent by skillful or clever action
Example
The smaller company managed to outmaneuver its larger rival.
C1 noun /ˈoʊvərˌtoʊn/

overtone

Meaning
A subtle quality, implication, or additional meaning beyond the obvious.
Example
His speech had political overtones that were hard to ignore.
B1 adverb /əˈrɪdʒɪnəli/

originally

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

Odour

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

oppress

Meaning
to keep someone down by harsh and unfair use of authority; to suppress
Example
The dictator oppressed the people for decades.
B1 noun ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz

opportunities

Meaning
A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something; chances for advancement or success.
Example
Opportunities for jobs decreased.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈɔːrnəri/

ornery

Meaning
bad-tempered and combative; stubborn
Example
The ornery old man refused to leave his chair.
C2 noun /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/

orthography

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

obelisk

Meaning
A tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument with a pyramid-shaped top.
Example
The ancient Egyptians built obelisks to honor their gods.
C1 adjective /ɒˈstɛnsəbl/

ostensible

Meaning
stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so
Example
His ostensible reason for leaving was illness, but many doubted it.
B2 adjective /ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

outgoing

Meaning
Friendly and sociable; inclined to mix with others.
Example
He is an outgoing person who loves meeting new people.
A2 adjective /ˈaʊtdɔːr/

outdoor

Meaning
situated, existing, or done outside a building
Example
We planned an outdoor picnic for the weekend.
B2 noun /ˈɒs.trɪtʃ/

Ostrich

Meaning
a large flightless bird native to Africa with long legs and neck
Example
The ostrich is the world's largest bird.
A1 preposition /ɒn/

on

Meaning
physically in contact with and supported by a surface
Example
The book is on the table.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈɒkjʊlər/

ocular

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

observatory

Meaning
A building equipped for observing astronomical or meteorological events.
Example
The observatory is open to the public on weekends.
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 adjective /ˌɒbsəˈliːt/

obsolete

Meaning
No longer in use or out of date.
Example
Floppy disks are now completely obsolete.
B2 adjective /ˈɔː.rəl/

Oral

Meaning
spoken rather than written; relating to the mouth
Example
The oral examination will test your speaking skills.
B2 noun /əbˈsɛʃən/

obsession

Meaning
An idea, thought, or concern that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.
Example
His obsession with success drove him to work day and night.
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 /ˌɑːbdʒərˈɡeɪʃən/

objurgation

Meaning
a harsh scolding or strong rebuke
Example
His misconduct earned him a severe objurgation from the manager.
C2 noun /ˈoʊdiəm/

odium

Meaning
general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone as a result of their actions
Example
The scandal brought public odium on the corrupt minister.
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 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.
C2 noun /oʊd/

ode

Meaning
a lyrical poem, often expressing praise or strong emotions
Example
The poet wrote an ode to the beauty of nature.
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.
B1 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈsiːz/

overseas

Meaning
in or to a foreign country across the sea
Example
He went overseas for higher education.
B2 noun /əˈfɛns/

offense

Meaning
an illegal act; a crime
Example
The offense was committed in broad daylight.
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.
C1 adverb /ˈɒp.tɪ.məl.i/

optimally

Meaning
In the most effective or efficient way possible.
Example
Tasks should be allocated optimally for maximum output.
A2 noun /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/

opening

Meaning
an act or instance of beginning something
Example
The opening of the new store was a huge success.
A2 adjective /ɒd/

Odd

Meaning
strange; unusual; different from what is normal or expected
Example
That's an odd way to solve the problem.
C1 adjective /ˈɒptɪməm/

optimum

Meaning
Most conducive to a favorable outcome; best.
Example
To achieve optimum results, we need to improve efficiency.
C2 noun /əbˈstrʌkʃənɪst/

obstructionist

Meaning
a person who deliberately delays or prevents progress by being uncooperative or oppositional
Example
The obstructionist in the committee kept delaying the decision-making process.
B2 verb /əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt/

originate

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

outstretch

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

ointment

Meaning
A smooth, oily substance applied to the skin for healing or soothing.
Example
The doctor prescribed an ointment for the burn on his arm.
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.
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.
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.
C2 adjective /əˈfɪʃəs/

officious

Meaning
Excessively eager to offer unwanted help or advice; meddlesome.
Example
The officious guard kept interrupting the visitors with unnecessary instructions.
B2 noun /ˈoʊtˌmiːl/

oatmeal

Meaning
A type of porridge made from ground oats, often eaten for breakfast.
Example
She eats a bowl of oatmeal every morning for breakfast.