peccadillo
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C2 noun /ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/

peccadillo

Meaning
a small or minor fault or sin
Example
Forgetting to call was just a small peccadillo, not a serious mistake.
C1 noun /ˈpluː.mɪdʒ/

plumage

Meaning
the feathers covering a bird's body
Example
The peacock's plumage was vibrant and eye-catching.
A2 noun /ˈpoʊst ˌɒfɪs/

post office

Meaning
a public building or agency where mail is sent, received, and other postal services are provided
Example
I went to the post office to mail a package.
C2 adjective /ˌpluːˈpɜːrfɪkt/

pluperfect

Meaning
a verb tense expressing an action completed before another past action
Example
By the time she arrived, he had finished his homework, showing the pluperfect tense.
C2 adjective /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/

presumptive

Meaning
Based on probability or assumption rather than proof.
Example
She is the presumptive nominee for the party.
B1 noun /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/

publication

Meaning
the act of making something publicly known or available
Example
The publication of the report sparked a debate.
A2 noun /ˈpɑːrkɪŋ/

parking

Meaning
the action or practice of leaving a vehicle in a particular place for a period of time
Example
There was no available parking near the restaurant.
C1 adjective /ˈpæl.ə.tə.bəl/

palatable

Meaning
pleasant or acceptable to the taste, mind, or feelings
Example
The meal was simple but quite palatable.
B2 noun ˈpeɪtriəˌtɪzəm

patriotism

Meaning
The quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
Example
Victory Day reflects the patriotism of the entire nation.
C1 noun /pləˈsiːboʊ/

placebo

Meaning
a substance with no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing new drugs
Example
The patient was given a placebo to compare the effect of the real drug.
B2 noun ˈpɛs.tɪ.saɪdz

pesticides

Meaning
Substances used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals.
Example
Excessive pesticides use can harm the environment.
B2 adverb /ˈpʌŋk.tʃu.əl.i/

Punctually

Meaning
at the exact time arranged; on time; not late
Example
She always arrives punctually for meetings.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪd.lɪŋ/

Piddling

Meaning
trivial; insignificant; small in amount
Example
He was annoyed by the piddling amount of money he received.
C2 noun /ˈfoʊ.nə.ɡræm/

phonogram

Meaning
a written symbol representing a speech sound
Example
The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound.
B2 adjective /prɪˈpærəˌtɔːri/

Preparatory

Meaning
preliminary; introductory; intended as preparation
Example
She attended preparatory classes before the final exam.
C2 verb /prɪˈværɪkeɪt/

prevaricate

Meaning
to avoid telling the truth by not giving a direct answer
Example
The politician began to prevaricate when asked about the scandal.
C2 adjective /ˈprʊəriənt/

prurient

Meaning
having or showing an excessive interest in sexual matters
Example
The magazine was criticized for its prurient content.
C2 noun /ˌpoʊpʊˈriː/

potpourri

Meaning
a mixture of dried flowers and spices kept in a bowl to perfume a room; a miscellaneous collection
Example
The living room was filled with the scent of potpourri.
C2 noun /prɪˈfɜːrmənt/

preferment

Meaning
promotion or advancement in rank, position, or office
Example
He hoped for preferment in the government office.
B1 noun /ˈfɑːrməsi/

pharmacy

Meaning
A place where medicinal drugs are prepared and sold.
Example
I went to the pharmacy to buy antibiotics.
B2 noun /ˈpleɪsmənt/

placement

Meaning
the act of putting something or someone in a particular position or job
Example
The company arranged job placement for the graduates.
A2 verb /prəˈduːs/

produce

Meaning
to make, create, or manufacture something
Example
The factory produces cars.
C1 noun /ˈproʊbeɪt/

probate

Meaning
the official proving of a will in a court of law
Example
The family had to go through probate after his death.
C1 noun /ˈsuːdənɪm/

pseudonym

Meaning
a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name
Example
Mark Twain was the pseudonym of Samuel Clemens.
C1 adjective /ˈplʌk.i/

plucky

Meaning
having or showing courage and determination
Example
The plucky child rescued the kitten from the tree.
A2 verb /prɪˈtɛnd/

pretend

Meaning
To act as if something is true when it is not.
Example
The children pretended to be superheroes.
B2 noun /ˈpæd.i/

Paddy

Meaning
rice in its natural state before processing; a field where rice is grown
Example
The farmers worked hard in the paddy fields during harvest season.
C2 noun /ˈpɑr.bəl/

Parbal

Meaning
A green vegetable also known as pointed gourd, commonly used in South Asian cuisine
Example
Mother prepared parbal curry with fish.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɛniəl/

perennial

Meaning
lasting or existing for a long time, or recurring continually
Example
Climate change is a perennial concern for scientists.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒmɪsəri/

promissory

Meaning
Containing or conveying a promise, especially in writing.
Example
He signed a promissory note to repay the loan.
C1 noun /pəˈlɪɡ.ə.mi/

Polygamy

Meaning
the practice of marrying multiple spouses at the same time
Example
Polygamy is illegal in many countries around the world.
C2 noun /ˈpɛd.ən.tri/

pedantry

Meaning
Excessive concern with minor details or rules.
Example
His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long.
C1 verb /ˈpærəfreɪz/

paraphrase

Meaning
To express the meaning of something using different words, often to make it clearer.
Example
The teacher asked the students to paraphrase the poem in their own words.
B2 adjective /ˈpəʊstwɔːr/

postwar

Meaning
occurring or existing after a war
Example
The postwar period saw significant economic growth.
B2 noun /ˈpɪs.təl/

Pistol

Meaning
a small gun that can be held and fired with one hand
Example
The officer drew his pistol from the holster.
C2 noun /ˈplɛntɪtjuːd/

plentitude

Meaning
the condition of being full or abundant
Example
The garden offered a plentitude of flowers in spring.
C1 noun /pərˈveɪər/

purveyor

Meaning
a person or business that supplies goods, services, or information
Example
He is a well-known purveyor of fine wines.
B1 noun /ˈpeɪstri/

pastry

Meaning
a baked food product made from flour, fat, and water, often sweet or savory
Example
I bought a box of fresh pastries for breakfast.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌn.dʒənt/

Pungent

Meaning
sharp; strong-smelling; acrid;
Example
The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
B1 noun /ˈpaʊdər/

powder

Meaning
a fine, dry substance made of very tiny particles
Example
She sprinkled some powder on the cake.
B1 noun pəˈfɔː.məns

performance

Meaning
The action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.
Example
Performance improvements boost confidence.
B1 verb /ˈpʌnɪʃ/

punish

Meaning
to give a penalty for wrongdoing; to discipline
Example
The teacher will punish students who cheat.
B1 adverb /pɑːrˈtɪkjʊləli/

particularly

Meaning
to a higher degree than is usual or expected
Example
She is particularly fond of Italian food.
B1 verb /pərˈsweɪd/

persuade

Meaning
to convince someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument
Example
He persuaded his friend to join the club.
B2 noun /ˈpæn.ɪk/

Panic

Meaning
sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety; a state of widespread fear and anxiety
Example
The fire alarm caused panic among the students.
C2 noun /ˈpʌndʒənsi/

pungency

Meaning
The quality of having a strong, sharp taste or smell.
Example
The pungency of garlic filled the kitchen.
C2 verb /ˈpɛrəɡrɪˌneɪt/

peregrinate

Meaning
To travel or wander from place to place.
Example
He loved to peregrinate across the countryside during summer.
C1 noun /ˌpɪɡ.menˈteɪ.ʃən/

pigmentation

Meaning
The natural coloring of animal or plant tissue.
Example
Excessive rubbing can cause pigmentation issues.
A1 verb pleɪ

play

Meaning
To have a role or function in a situation; to contribute to something.
Example
Artemis will play a crucial role in Mars exploration.
B1 noun /prəˈməʊ.ʃən/

Promotion

Meaning
the act of raising someone to a higher position; advertising to increase sales
Example
She received a promotion to manager after five years of hard work.
B2 verb /prəˈvoʊk/

provoke

Meaning
To cause someone to become angry or to cause a reaction.
Example
His words provoked a heated argument.
C2 noun /ˈpælɪˌnoʊd/

palinode

Meaning
a poem or statement in which the writer retracts something said in an earlier work
Example
The poet wrote a palinode to apologize for his earlier harsh words.
A2 adjective /ˈpiːs.fəl/

Peaceful

Meaning
free from disturbance; calm and quiet; not involving war or violence
Example
The garden is a peaceful place to relax.
C1 noun /ˈpɔɪ.nən.si/

poignancy

Meaning
the quality of evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; emotionally touching
Example
The poignancy of the farewell brought tears to everyone's eyes.
C1 noun /pəˈrɪfəri/

periphery

Meaning
The outer edge or boundary of an area or object.
Example
The soldiers were stationed at the periphery of the camp.
C1 adjective /ˈplæsɪd/

placid

Meaning
calm and peaceful, not easily disturbed
Example
She had a placid expression despite the chaos around her.
B1 noun /ˈpɜr.fjuːm/

Perfume

Meaning
a fragrant liquid made from essential oils and alcohol; a pleasant smell
Example
She wore her favorite perfume to the party.
B2 adjective + noun ˈpraɪməri əbˈdʒektɪv

primary objective

Meaning
The main goal or chief aim of an activity, project, or endeavor.
Example
The primary objective of the event was to promote recycling.
B1 noun /poʊl/

pole

Meaning
a long, slender, vertical object or structure, typically made of wood, metal, or another material
Example
They placed the flag on top of the pole.
C2 adjective /ˌpaɪroʊˈtɛknɪk/

pyrotechnic

Meaning
Relating to fireworks or spectacular displays involving fire.
Example
The city celebrated with a grand pyrotechnic display on New Year's Eve.
C2 adjective /ˈpɑːrləs/

parlous

Meaning
Full of danger or risk; precarious.
Example
The company is in a parlous financial state.
C1 noun, adjective /ˌproʊlɪˈtɛəriən/

proletarian

Meaning
Relating to the working class, especially those who do not own property.
Example
The movement was rooted in proletarian struggles.
A2 verb /pɪk/

pick

Meaning
to choose; to take or select from a group; to pluck or gather
Example
Please pick your favorite color from the palette.
B2 noun /plænˈteɪʃən/

plantation

Meaning
a large area of land where crops are grown, often for commercial purposes
Example
The sugarcane plantation stretched for miles across the valley.
B1 noun ˈpɒl.ə.si

policy

Meaning
A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual; a contract of insurance.
Example
Effective policies drive national development.
A1 noun/adjective/preposition /pɑːst/

past

Meaning
the time before the present; gone by in time
Example
He often thinks about his past mistakes.
A2 noun /ˈprɛzɪdənt/

president

Meaning
the elected head of a republican state
Example
The president addressed the nation last night.
C1 noun, adjective /ˌpəʊstˈmɔːtəm/

postmortem

Meaning
An examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.
Example
The doctor carried out a postmortem on the body.
C1 verb /ˈpɪlfər/

pilfer

Meaning
to steal things of small value or in small quantities
Example
The employee was caught pilfering office supplies.
C2 noun /ˈpɒtˌbɔɪlə/

potboiler

Meaning
a book, play, or film produced quickly to make money rather than for artistic value
Example
The novel was dismissed by critics as a mere potboiler.
B2 noun /ˈpɔːt.fəʊ.li.əʊ/

portfolio

Meaning
A collection of work or samples demonstrating skills and expertise.
Example
His portfolio showcased his diverse range of skills.
C1 adjective /præɡˈmæt.ɪk/

pragmatic

Meaning
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than idealistic considerations.
Example
He took a pragmatic approach to solving the financial crisis.
B2 adjective /pɪˈkjuː.li.ər/

Peculiar

Meaning
strange or odd; unusual; belonging exclusively to
Example
She has a peculiar way of speaking.
C2 adjective /pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

polemical

Meaning
relating to or involving strongly critical or controversial writing or speech
Example
She wrote a polemical article challenging traditional beliefs.
B2 noun /ˈproʊtəkɔːl/

protocol

Meaning
an official procedure or system of rules
Example
The security team followed strict protocol during the event.
C2 noun /priˈɛmpʃən/

preemption

Meaning
The act of taking action before someone else; the right to purchase or act before others.
Example
The company exercised preemption to acquire the land before competitors.
A1 noun /ˈpɪk.tʃər/

Picture

Meaning
a visual representation such as a painting, drawing, or photograph
Example
There is a beautiful picture hanging on the wall.
C2 adjective /ˌprɛsɪˈdɛnʃəl/

precedential

Meaning
Relating to, or serving as, a precedent; having authority as an example.
Example
The court’s decision has precedential value.
B2 noun /ˈpredʒ.ə.dɪs/

Prejudice

Meaning
preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
Example
We must fight against prejudice and discrimination in our society.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛntɪmənt/

presentiment

Meaning
An intuitive feeling about the future, especially of something bad about to happen.
Example
He had a strong presentiment that the plan would fail.
B2 noun /ˈpɛzənt/

peasant

Meaning
a poor farmer or agricultural laborer who owns or rents a small piece of land for cultivation
Example
The peasant worked hard in the fields from dawn to dusk.
C1 noun /fɪˈlæn.θrə.pi/

philanthropy

Meaning
the desire to promote the welfare of others, often expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes
Example
Philanthropy has helped improve healthcare in many developing countries.
C2 noun /ˌfoʊˈtɑːmɪtər/

photometer

Meaning
an instrument for measuring the intensity of light
Example
The scientist used a photometer to measure the light in the laboratory.
C1 noun /ˈprɒspɛktər/

prospector

Meaning
a person who searches for mineral deposits, especially gold
Example
The prospector spent years in the mountains searching for gold.
B2 noun /ˌpɪə.riˈɒd.ɪ.kəl/

periodical

Meaning
a magazine or journal published at regular intervals
Example
She subscribed to a science periodical.
C1 adjective /ˌpæθəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

pathological

Meaning
Relating to disease; extreme or obsessive in a way that is abnormal.
Example
He has a pathological fear of failure.
C2 adjective /ˌpriːtərˈnætʃərəl/

preternatural

Meaning
Beyond what is normal or natural; extraordinary or supernatural.
Example
She had a preternatural ability to remain calm in any crisis.
B1 noun /ˈpʌn.ɪʃ.mənt/

Punishment

Meaning
penalty given for doing something wrong or breaking a rule
Example
The student received punishment for cheating on the exam.
C2 noun/adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtənt/

precipitant

Meaning
As a noun: a substance that causes a substance to be deposited from a solution; as an adjective: acting hastily or impulsively.
Example
The chemist added a precipitant to the solution to observe the reaction.
C1 noun /ˈpædʒənt/

pageant

Meaning
A public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate costumes, or a beauty contest.
Example
She won first place in the beauty pageant.
C1 noun /ˈpeɪtriɑːrk/

patriarch

Meaning
a male head of a family or tribe; an older respected man who leads a group
Example
As the family patriarch, he mediated disputes and kept long traditions alive.
C1 verb /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/

pillage

Meaning
to rob or plunder a place, especially during war
Example
The invading army pillaged the village and took all valuables.
C1 noun /ˈpraɪ.meɪt/

primate

Meaning
A member of the group of animals including humans, apes, and monkeys.
Example
Humans are classified as primates.
C2 verb /ˈproʊtjuːbəreɪt/

protuberate

Meaning
To swell out or bulge.
Example
The roots began to protuberate from the ground.
C1 adjective /priːˈɛmɪnənt/

preeminent

Meaning
Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.
Example
She is a preeminent scientist in the field of genetics.
B2 noun /pʌbˈlɪs.ɪ.ti/

Publicity

Meaning
public attention or notice given to someone or something; advertising or promotion
Example
The movie received a lot of publicity before its release.
C1 noun /ˈplʌn.dər.ər/

Plunderer

Meaning
a person who steals goods, especially during war or civil disorder
Example
The plunderers ransacked the village after the battle.
A1 noun /ˈpeɪ.pər/

paper

Meaning
A material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other fibrous substances, used for writing or printing on.
Example
The student submitted his research paper on artificial intelligence.
C2 noun, adjective /pəˈtrɪʃən/

patrician

Meaning
A person of noble rank or high social standing; relating to aristocracy.
Example
The patrician families of Rome wielded great power in politics.
B2 noun /pəˈtɪʃən/

petition

Meaning
a formal written request, typically signed by many people, appealing to authority about a cause
Example
They signed a petition to improve road safety in the area.
A2 noun; adverb /pərˈsɛnt/

percent

Meaning
a proportion out of one hundred; by each hundred
Example
Sales increased by ten percent this year.
C2 verb /prɪˈpɒndəreɪt/

preponderate

Meaning
To be greater in influence, weight, or number.
Example
In the debate, logical arguments preponderated over emotional appeals.
B1 noun, verb /ˈfəʊtəʊˌkɒpi/

photocopy

Meaning
a copy of a document made using a photocopying machine; to make such a copy
Example
Please photocopy these documents before the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˈpɒp.jʊ.ləs/

Populous

Meaning
having a large population; densely populated; crowded with people
Example
China is the most populous country in the world.
C1 noun /ˌprɑːfɪˈtɪr/

profiteer

Meaning
a person who makes excessive profits, especially unfairly or illegally
Example
The government punished war profiteers.
C1 adjective /ˈpen.ɪ.ləs/

Penniless

Meaning
having no money; extremely poor; completely without funds
Example
After losing his job, he became penniless.
C1 noun /pəˈrɪm.ɪ.tər/

perimeter

Meaning
the continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure or area
Example
The soldiers guarded the perimeter of the camp.
C2 verb /ˈpælieɪt/

palliate

Meaning
to make a disease, symptoms, or problem less severe without removing the cause
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine to palliate the patient's pain.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪˈstæblɪʃ/

preestablish

Meaning
To establish or set up beforehand.
Example
Certain rules were preestablished before the meeting.
C1 adjective /ˈpiːs.ə.bəl/

Peaceable

Meaning
peaceful; inclined to avoid conflict
Example
The peaceable protest ended without any violence.
C1 verb /ˈpoʊ.lə.raɪz/

polarize

Meaning
to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Example
The controversial decision polarized public opinion.
C1 noun /prəˈpraɪəti/

propriety

Meaning
Conformity to accepted standards of behavior or morality.
Example
He always behaved with the utmost propriety in public.
C2 adjective /pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

pejorative

Meaning
Expressing contempt or disapproval.
Example
He used pejorative terms to insult his opponents.
C1 noun /ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪzeɪʃən/

personalization

Meaning
The action of making something personal or individual; customization.
Example
Personalization in marketing improves customer engagement.
C2 noun /ˈprɛʃəns/ or /ˈpriːʃəns/

prescience

Meaning
the ability to know or predict what will happen in the future
Example
Her prescience about market trends saved the company.
C2 noun /prɪˈhɛnʃən/

prehension

Meaning
the act of grasping or seizing; the ability to take hold of something
Example
Therapists assessed the patient's prehension during hand therapy.
C2 noun /ˌfaɪ.təʊˈkem.ɪ.kəlz/

phytochemicals

Meaning
Natural chemical compounds produced by plants that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, often having antioxidant properties.
Example
Phytochemicals in green tea help reduce inflammation.
C1 verb /pɜːrtʃ/

perch

Meaning
To sit or rest on something high or narrow.
Example
The bird perched on the fence.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɪfərəl/

peripheral

Meaning
Relating to or situated on the edge or outer parts of something.
Example
The town is located on the peripheral area of the city.
B1 noun /ˈpɔːtrət/

portrait

Meaning
a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one showing the face
Example
The artist painted a beautiful portrait of his wife.
A1 noun /plæn/

plan

Meaning
A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
Example
A good plan keeps you focused.