overtone
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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.
B2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/

insufficient

Meaning
Not enough; inadequate.
Example
His explanation was insufficient to clear the confusion.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊn.tər/

counter

Meaning
a flat surface in a shop, bank, or kitchen where transactions or work are done
Example
The cashier stood behind the counter.
B1 noun /ˈsɜr.fɪs/

Surface

Meaning
the outside part or uppermost layer of something
Example
The submarine emerged to the surface of the ocean.
B2 noun /haɪˈiː.nə/

Hyena

Meaning
a wild animal of Africa and Asia that looks like a dog and makes a sound like laughter
Example
The hyena laughed in the darkness of the night.
B2 noun /ˈsaɪd.laɪn/

sideline

Meaning
An activity done in addition to one's main job or area of work.
Example
The sideline discussions led to mutual understanding.
B2 verb /ˈnæreɪt/

narrate

Meaning
To tell a story or describe events, often in detail.
Example
She will narrate the events of her journey to the audience.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪplɪŋ/

stripling

Meaning
a young man who is not yet fully grown
Example
The stripling dreamed of becoming a brave knight.
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.
C2 verb /bɪˈfuːl/

befool

Meaning
to deceive or trick someone into believing something false; to make someone appear foolish
Example
The scammer tried to befool innocent people with fake promises.
B2 noun /ˈsoʊlər ɪˈklɪps/

Solar eclipse

Meaning
an eclipse in which the sun is obscured by the moon passing between it and the earth
Example
The solar eclipse will be visible from our city next month.
C2 verb /ˈbæstərdaɪz/

bastardize

Meaning
to corrupt or debase something by altering it from its original form; to change in a way that reduces quality or purity
Example
Critics argue that the remake bastardized the original novel.
C2 noun /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

dissipation

Meaning
the process of disappearing or wasting; excessive indulgence in pleasure
Example
The dissipation of his fortune left him in poverty.
B2 noun /ˈtuː.lɪp/

Tulip

Meaning
a colorful spring flower with cup-shaped petals
Example
The red tulip bloomed beautifully in the garden.
A1 adjective /blæk/

Black

Meaning
having the darkest color; the opposite of white
Example
She wore a beautiful black dress to the party.
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 noun /ˈhɔːrs.liːt͡ʃ/

Horse-leach

Meaning
a large species of leech that was traditionally used in veterinary medicine
Example
The veterinarian explained that horse-leach was once commonly used to treat horses.
B2 noun /ˈɡlæm.ər/

Glamour

Meaning
an attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing; alluring charm
Example
The glamour of Hollywood attracted young actors from around the world.
B2 noun /ˈloʊ.təs/

Lotus

Meaning
a large water flower that floats on the surface of ponds and lakes
Example
The lotus flower blooms beautifully in the quiet pond.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

Barnacle

Meaning
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
Example
The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles.
C1 adjective /fəˈnɛtɪk/

phonetic

Meaning
relating to the sounds of speech or pronunciation
Example
The teacher taught the students the phonetic spelling of difficult words.
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.
C2 verb /ˈhɑːrkən/

hearken

Meaning
To listen attentively; to give heed.
Example
He would hearken to his mentor’s advice before making decisions.
C2 noun /ˈkriːməri/

creamery

Meaning
a place where milk and cream are processed and dairy products are made
Example
The local creamery produces fresh butter and cheese daily.
B2 adjective /hɪˈlɛəriəs/

hilarious

Meaning
Extremely funny or amusing.
Example
The comedian told a hilarious story that had everyone laughing.
C2 verb /ˈbɜːrdʒən/

burgeon

Meaning
To grow or develop rapidly; to flourish.
Example
The city's population began to burgeon after the new factory opened.
B2 noun /ˈɛmbəsi/

embassy

Meaning
the official residence or offices of an ambassador
Example
He works at the French embassy in Dhaka.
A2 verb /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/

introduce

Meaning
to present someone; to bring in for the first time
Example
Let me introduce you to my friend.
B2 noun, adjective, adverb /ˌnɔːrθˈwest/

northwest

Meaning
the direction that is between north and west; situated in or moving toward this direction
Example
Seattle is located in the northwest of the United States.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstræv.ə.ɡəns/

Extravagance

Meaning
lack of restraint in spending money; excessive expense
Example
The wedding celebration was criticized for its unnecessary extravagance.
B2 noun /læp/

Lap

Meaning
the flat area between the waist and knees of a seated person; one circuit of a track or course
Example
The cat curled up comfortably in her lap while she read her book.
B2 adjective /ˌmʌltɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/

multilingual

Meaning
Able to speak or written in several languages.
Example
She grew up in a multilingual household.
B1 noun /ˈhʌntər/

hunter

Meaning
a person or animal that hunts animals for food or sport
Example
The hunter tracked the deer through the forest.
B2 noun /ˈmɪsaɪl/ or /ˈmɪsəl/

missile

Meaning
a weapon that is self-propelled and directed toward a target
Example
The army launched a missile towards the enemy base.
C1 noun /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/

etymology

Meaning
The study of the origin of words and how their meanings and forms have evolved.
Example
The etymology of the word 'salary' comes from the Latin word for salt.
A1 verb /faɪnd/

find

Meaning
to discover or locate something that was lost or hidden
Example
I can't find my keys anywhere.
B1 verb /əˈsuːm/

assume

Meaning
to think that something is true without proof
Example
I assume he will be late to the meeting.
C1 noun /ˌtɛknɪˈkæləti/

technicality

Meaning
A small detail of law, rule, or procedure; a minor point that affects an outcome.
Example
The case was dismissed on a technicality.
A1 noun /dɪˈsɛmbər/

december

Meaning
the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian calendar
Example
December is usually cold in many countries.
C2 verb /ˈæbnɪˌɡeɪt/

abnegate

Meaning
to deny or renounce something, especially a right or desire
Example
She chose to abnegate her personal interests for the sake of the team.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdɛkərəs/

indecorous

Meaning
Not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper.
Example
His indecorous behavior shocked the audience.
C1 noun /ˈkwɔːrəm/

quorum

Meaning
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business in a meeting.
Example
The board meeting was postponed because there was no quorum.
B1 verb /ɪnˈtend/

intend

Meaning
to plan or have in mind as a purpose; to mean
Example
I intend to finish this project by tomorrow.
C1 verb /prəˈkjʊər/

procure

Meaning
to obtain something, especially with effort or difficulty
Example
They managed to procure enough supplies for the expedition.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈfluːɪd/

fluid

Meaning
a substance that can flow easily, such as liquid or gas; smooth and adaptable
Example
The artist's fluid movements impressed the audience.
C2 adjective, noun /pləˈbiːən/

plebian

Meaning
alternate spelling of 'plebeian'; common or ordinary
Example
His tastes were rather plebian, favoring simple food and clothes.
C2 verb /ɪnˈveɪɡəl/

inveigle

Meaning
To persuade someone to do something by deception or flattery.
Example
She inveigled him into signing the contract.
C2 noun /ˈklaɪmɪŋ fɪʃ/

Climbing-fish

Meaning
a type of fish that can climb trees and survive out of water for short periods
Example
The climbing-fish can move from one pond to another by climbing trees.
C2 noun /ɪˈnɪkwɪti/

iniquity

Meaning
Immoral or grossly unfair behavior.
Example
The dictator's regime was marked by corruption and iniquity.
B2 verb /ˈdɪkteɪt/

dictate

Meaning
to say words aloud for someone to write down; to give orders
Example
The boss dictates letters to his secretary.
A2 noun /ˈfɔːrənər/ or /ˈfɑːrənər/

foreigner

Meaning
A person from another country.
Example
The city welcomes every foreigner with kindness.
C2 noun /əˈkjuːtnəs/

acuteness

Meaning
sharpness of mind or senses; severity or intensity of a condition
Example
Her acuteness allowed her to notice details others missed.
B1 noun /ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən/

preparation

Meaning
The act of getting ready or making arrangements for something.
Example
The team made careful preparation for the presentation.
B2 noun/verb /stʌnt/

stunt

Meaning
a daring or unusual action performed for entertainment or publicity; to hinder growth or development
Example
The actor performed a dangerous stunt in the movie.
C2 noun /səbˈdʌk.ʃən/

subduction

Meaning
The lateral and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate.
Example
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of intense subduction.
C1 adjective /ˈskɔːrnfəl/

Scornful

Meaning
showing contempt or disdain; expressing scorn
Example
She gave him a scornful look when he made the rude comment.
A2 noun kɒsts

Costs

Meaning
An amount that has to be paid or spent to buy or obtain something.
Example
Reducing costs improves profit margins.
C1 noun /ˈæbdəmən/

abdomen

Meaning
The part of the body below the chest and above the hips that contains the stomach and other organs.
Example
He complained of pain in his abdomen.
B1 adjective /aɪˈdiːəl/

ideal

Meaning
the best possible; perfect for a situation
Example
This place is ideal for a picnic.
B2 noun /ɡrɪp/

Grip

Meaning
a firm hold or grasp; the power of holding something firmly; a handle or handhold
Example
The rock climber lost his grip and fell several feet before the safety rope caught him.
C1 adjective /ˌtaɪpəˈɡræfɪkəl/

typographical

Meaning
relating to the style, arrangement, or appearance of printed text
Example
There was a typographical error in the book.
C1 verb /sɪˈsiːd/

secede

Meaning
To formally withdraw from a political or organizational union.
Example
Several states threatened to secede from the union.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/

cynical

Meaning
Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
Example
She was cynical about the politician's promises.
C1 verb /kənˈspaɪər/

conspire

Meaning
to secretly plan with others to do something harmful or illegal
Example
They conspired to overthrow the government.
C2 noun /ˈmɛzməˌrɪzəm/

mesmerism

Meaning
A state of fascination or hypnotism.
Example
The magician held the audience in a state of mesmerism.
A2 noun /boʊn/

Bone

Meaning
any of the hard parts inside a human or animal that make up its frame
Example
The doctor said the bone was completely healed after the fracture.
C1 noun rɪˈfaɪnmənt

refinement

Meaning
The process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.
Example
His manners showed a refinement that made him stand out in any crowd.
A2 adjective /ˈstuː.pɪd/

Stupid

Meaning
lacking intelligence or common sense; foolish
Example
It was stupid of me to forget my umbrella on a rainy day.
B2 noun /ˈtɜːr.nɪp/

Turnip

Meaning
a round root vegetable with white or purple skin and white flesh
Example
We grew turnips in our vegetable garden.
B2 noun ˌpʌŋkˈtʃʊəlɪti

punctuality

Meaning
The quality of being on time; the habit of arriving or doing things at the agreed or proper time.
Example
Punctuality is a valued trait in professional settings.
B2 noun /ˈreɪ.zər/

Razor

Meaning
a sharp-edged instrument used for shaving hair from the skin
Example
He shaved his beard with a sharp razor.
B2 adverb /ˈfɜ:rmli/

Firmly

Meaning
in a strong, steady, and unwavering manner
Example
She firmly believed in her decision.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊpi/

Soapy

Meaning
covered with soap; having the characteristics of soap; foamy
Example
The dishes were still soapy after washing.
C1 verb /ˈʃʌdər/

shudder

Meaning
to tremble or shake suddenly, often due to fear, cold, or strong emotion
Example
She shuddered at the thought of walking alone in the dark forest.
C2 noun /ˈkæm.fər/

Camphor

Meaning
a white crystalline substance with a strong aromatic smell, used in medicine and religious ceremonies
Example
The temple was filled with the fragrant smoke of burning camphor.
B2 noun /ˈspesɪmən/

Specimen

Meaning
an individual example of something; a sample collected for scientific study or testing
Example
The scientist collected a blood specimen for analysis.
C2 verb /ˈkælsɪfaɪ/

calcify

Meaning
To harden by deposition of calcium salts; to become rigid or inflexible.
Example
Over time, the tissue began to calcify and lose flexibility.
A1 adjective/verb/adverb /friː/

free

Meaning
Not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes.
Example
The children are free to play outside.
C1 verb /ˈpʌməl/

pummel

Meaning
To strike repeatedly with the fists; to beat or hit forcefully.
Example
The boxer pummeled his opponent in the final round.
B1 verb /bliːd/

bleed

Meaning
to lose blood from the body, especially due to injury
Example
She began to bleed from the cut on her arm.
B2 adjective /ˈɪɡ.nər.ənt/

Ignorant

Meaning
lacking knowledge or awareness; uninformed
Example
She was ignorant about the new technology trends.
C1 verb /ˈɒfsɛt/

offset

Meaning
To counterbalance or compensate for something.
Example
The company's losses were offset by gains in other departments.
C1 verb /ədˈmɪnɪstreɪt/

administrate

Meaning
to manage or supervise the execution of duties, laws, or resources; to formally give or apply something such as a test or medicine
Example
The committee will administrate the new policy across all departments.
C2 noun /ˌæpəˈzɪʃən/

apposition

Meaning
a grammatical construction in which two elements are placed side by side, with one explaining the other
Example
In the phrase 'my friend John,' the word 'John' is in apposition to 'my friend.'
C1 noun /ˈrez.ɪ.dənt ˈkəʊ.ɔː.dɪ.neɪ.tər/

resident coordinator

Meaning
A local administrator or official who coordinates activities in a specific region.
Example
The resident coordinator welcomed all representatives.
C2 noun /ˈeɪʒən swɒmp iːl/

Asian swamp eel

Meaning
a snake-like freshwater fish that can survive in muddy waters and is considered a delicacy in South Asian cuisine
Example
Asian swamp eel can breathe air and survive in shallow muddy waters.
C2 noun /ˈpɒsi/

posse

Meaning
A group of people, often friends or a group organized to support or enforce the law.
Example
He arrived at the party with his posse of friends.
B2 adjective /ˈɛv.ə.ɡriːn/

evergreen

Meaning
Remaining green and functional throughout the year; not shedding leaves seasonally.
Example
Evergreen trees like pine and fir stay green year-round.
C1 noun /ˌfɪziˈɑːlədʒi/

physiology

Meaning
the scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system
Example
She is majoring in human physiology at the university.
A1 verb, adjective /kloʊz/ (verb), /kloʊs/ (adjective)

close

Meaning
To shut something (verb); near in space or relationship (adjective).
Example
Please close the door when you leave.
C1 adjective /tɛk ˈdrɪv.ən/

tech-driven

Meaning
Powered or guided by technology; dependent on technological advancement for operation.
Example
The agricultural sector is becoming more tech-driven for higher efficiency.
B2 noun /ˈbɪtərnəs/

Bitterness

Meaning
anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment; a sharp, unpleasant taste
Example
She spoke with bitterness about her former employer.
B2 adjective /ˈɡlɒsi/

glossy

Meaning
Shiny and smooth in appearance; attractive on the surface but sometimes lacking depth.
Example
She bought a glossy magazine from the store.
C1 adjective /kɑːrˈnɪv.ər.əs/

Carnivorous

Meaning
feeding on other animals; meat-eating
Example
Lions are carnivorous animals that hunt other animals for food.
A2 noun /sɒks/

Socks

Meaning
soft coverings for the feet, typically worn inside shoes
Example
I need to buy new socks for winter.
A2 noun /ˈlev.əl/

level

Meaning
A position on a real or imaginary scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.
Example
Pollution levels must be reduced urgently.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈʌtərəbl/

unutterable

Meaning
Too great, intense, or awful to be expressed or described in words.
Example
She was filled with unutterable joy at the news of her success.
C1 adjective /ˈhiːdləs/

heedless

Meaning
showing a reckless lack of care or attention
Example
He drove with heedless disregard for the rules.
B2 noun ˌæn.tiˈɒk.sɪ.dənt

antioxidant

Meaning
A substance that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage by neutralizing free radicals.
Example
Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that slow aging.
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.
C1 adjective /pərˈveɪsɪv/

pervasive

Meaning
Existing in or spreading through every part of something
Example
Pervasive technology has become a fundamental part of daily life.
C2 noun /ˈdɛnɪzən/

denizen

Meaning
an inhabitant or resident of a particular place
Example
The forest is home to many nocturnal denizens.
C2 noun ˈɔː.tɑː.ki

autarky

Meaning
Economic independence or self-sufficiency; a policy of establishing a self-sufficient national economy.
Example
Some nations aim for autarky to reduce reliance on imports.
C1 verb /ʃʌnt/

shunt

Meaning
to move or turn aside; to push or divert from one track to another
Example
The train was shunted onto a different track.
B2 adjective /stɑːrk/

stark

Meaning
Severe, sharp, or clearly defined; plain and without any decoration.
Example
The stark contrast between poverty and wealth was evident in the city.
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.
A1 verb /tiːtʃ/

teach

Meaning
to give knowledge or instruction to someone; to show how to do something
Example
She teaches English at the local school.
C1 noun /ˈprəʊsiːdz/

proceeds

Meaning
money obtained from an event, activity, or sale
Example
The proceeds from the charity event were donated to the orphanage.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsˈdiːd/

Misdeed

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

knead

Meaning
to work dough or clay into a uniform mixture by pressing, folding, and stretching
Example
She kneads the dough until it becomes smooth.
B1 verb /juˈnaɪt/

unite

Meaning
to join together or combine; to bring people or things together
Example
The crisis helped unite the community.
C1 adjective /bəˈlɪdʒ.ər.ənt/

belligerent

Meaning
Hostile and aggressive, ready to fight or argue.
Example
His belligerent attitude often leads to conflicts.
B2 verb /ˈvæksɪneɪt/

vaccinate

Meaning
to give a vaccine to protect against a disease
Example
Children are usually vaccinated before starting school.
C2 verb /ˈræm.ɪ.faɪ/

ramify

Meaning
to spread or branch out into divisions or subdivisions.
Example
The river ramifies into several smaller streams.
C2 noun /ˈnoʊmənˌkleɪtʃər/

nomenclature

Meaning
A system of names or terms used in a particular science, art, or field.
Example
The chemical nomenclature can be difficult for beginners to understand.
C2 noun /briːtʃ/

breech

Meaning
The back part of a gun barrel; a position of a baby in the womb where the buttocks or feet come out first at birth.
Example
The rifle was loaded through the breech.
A2 verb /prəˈtɛkt/

protect

Meaning
To keep safe from harm or injury.
Example
Protect yourself from the negative effects of social media.
C1 noun /ˈmɜːrdʒər/

merger

Meaning
The combination of two or more companies into a single entity.
Example
The merger of the two firms created the largest bank in the region.
A1 adjective /ˈθɜrti/

thirty

Meaning
equivalent to the number 30
Example
He is thirty years old.
A2 noun /ˈdɒŋ.ki/

Donkey

Meaning
a domesticated animal related to the horse, with long ears and a braying call
Example
The donkey carried heavy bags up the mountain.
C1 adjective /ˈdestatəʊt/

Destitute

Meaning
extremely poor; without money or possessions
Example
Many families became destitute after the economic collapse.