pinnacle
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C1 noun /ˈpɪnəkəl/

pinnacle

Meaning
the highest point or peak of something, especially of success or achievement
Example
Winning the Nobel Prize was the pinnacle of her career.
B2 adverb /ˈpʌb.lɪk.li/

Publicly

Meaning
in a public manner; openly; for everyone to see or know
Example
The company publicly announced their new policy.
B2 noun /ˈpɑː.tɪ.klz/

particles

Meaning
Minute portions of matter.
Example
PM2.5 particles harm respiratory health.
C1 verb prəˈpel

propel

Meaning
To drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.
Example
Lack of proper guidance can propel adolescents toward delinquency.
B2 noun /ˈpen.ʃən/

Pension

Meaning
a regular payment made to someone who is no longer working because of age or disability
Example
After retirement, he receives a monthly pension from the company.
C1 noun /prəʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

procrastination

Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities.
Example
Procrastination is the enemy of success.
B2 verb /pərˈsɪst/

persist

Meaning
to continue firmly in an action or opinion despite difficulty or opposition
Example
She decided to persist in her efforts to learn French.
B2 noun /ˈpeɪtrən/

patron

Meaning
a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause
Example
The library is supported by generous patrons.
B2 verb /plʌndʒ/

plunge

Meaning
to jump or dive quickly; to fall sharply
Example
She plunged into the swimming pool.
C1 adjective /ˈplʌk.i/

plucky

Meaning
having or showing courage and determination
Example
The plucky child rescued the kitten from the tree.
C2 noun /ˈplænɪsfɪr/

planisphere

Meaning
a rotating star chart used to display the visible stars for any time and date
Example
The astronomer used a planisphere to identify the constellations.
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 noun /ˈpɑːdreɪ/

padre

Meaning
A title for a priest, especially in the Roman Catholic Church; also used informally for 'father'.
Example
The soldiers attended mass led by the padre.
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.
A2 noun /ˈpɪərɪəd/

period

Meaning
a length or portion of time
Example
The meeting will last for a period of two hours.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪst/

preexist

Meaning
to exist beforehand or before something else
Example
These customs preexist the arrival of modern technology.
B2 noun ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən

preservation

Meaning
The action of maintaining something in its original or existing state; protection from harm or damage.
Example
Proper preservation extends the lifespan of machinery.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

parquetry

Meaning
The art or technique of laying parquet floors.
Example
The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes.
C2 noun /ˌpærəˈɡɔːrɪk/

paregoric

Meaning
a medicine containing opium, once used to relieve pain and diarrhea
Example
Doctors once prescribed paregoric to treat diarrhea in children.
C1 noun prɪˈdɪk.ə.mənt

predicament

Meaning
A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
Example
Losing both jobs put him in a financial predicament.
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.
B2 noun /ˈpɒp.i/

Poppy

Meaning
a bright red flower with black seeds, often used as a symbol of remembrance
Example
The red poppy bloomed beautifully in the garden.
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 noun /ˈpriː.tɛns/ or /prɪˈtɛns/

pretense

Meaning
A false appearance or claim; an act of pretending.
Example
His kindness was only a pretense to gain trust.
C1 noun /ˌprɑːfɪˈtɪr/

profiteer

Meaning
a person who makes excessive profits, especially unfairly or illegally
Example
The government punished war profiteers.
B1 noun /pɪl/

pill

Meaning
a small round piece of medicine to be swallowed
Example
He took a pill to relieve his headache.
C2 verb /ˈprætəl/

prattle

Meaning
to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
Example
The children would prattle on about their games.
B1 noun pɔːrt

Port

Meaning
A town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload.
Example
Ports improve maritime trade.
C1 noun /ˌpɒməˈdɔːrəʊ/

pomodoro

Meaning
A time management technique that uses a timer to break down work into intervals.
Example
The Pomodoro technique improves productivity.
B2 adjective /pəˈzes.ɪv/

Possessive

Meaning
showing a desire to own or control something; unwilling to share; jealously protective
Example
He is very possessive about his car.
C1 adjective /ˈplaɪəbəl/

pliable

Meaning
easily bent or flexible; adaptable
Example
The metal is pliable enough to be shaped into jewelry.
C1 noun /ˈpʌndɪt/

pundit

Meaning
An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give opinions to the public.
Example
Political pundits debated the election results on television.
C2 noun, verb /ˌpæm.fləˈtɪər/

pamphleteer

Meaning
a person who writes or distributes pamphlets, often to promote a political or social cause
Example
In the 18th century, many pamphleteers influenced public opinion.
B1 verb /pərˈfɔːrm/

perform

Meaning
to carry out an action or present entertainment; to function
Example
The orchestra will perform at the concert hall tonight.
B1 noun /ˈpiː.kɒk/

Peacock

Meaning
a large bird with beautiful colorful tail feathers that can spread out like a fan
Example
The magnificent peacock displayed its colorful feathers to attract attention.
A1 noun/verb /pɛn/

pen

Meaning
A writing instrument using ink; also, to write something.
Example
She used a pen to sign the document.
B2 noun pɑrˈtɪʃən

partition

Meaning
The action of dividing or being divided into parts; separation.
Example
Partition caused unrest.
C2 verb /pəˈræmbjʊˌleɪt/

perambulate

Meaning
To walk through or travel around, especially for leisure.
Example
They perambulated the old town, enjoying the sights.
B1 adverb /ˈpɜː.mə.nənt.li/

permanently

Meaning
in a way that lasts or remains unchanged for a long time or forever
Example
She moved to the city permanently after finishing her studies.
B2 adverb /ˈprez.ənt.li/

Presently

Meaning
at the present time; soon; in a little while
Example
The doctor will see you presently.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌn.dʒənt/

Pungent

Meaning
sharp; strong-smelling; acrid;
Example
The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
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.
C2 noun /ˈpæk.ɪ.dɜːrm/

pachyderm

Meaning
a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus
Example
The zoo had several pachyderms, including elephants and rhinos.
C2 adjective /pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv/

pejorative

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

parry

Meaning
to ward off or deflect an attack, especially in fencing or conversation
Example
He managed to parry the opponent’s sword with quick reflexes.
A2 noun /ˈpoʊɪt/

poet

Meaning
a person who writes poems
Example
The poet wrote about love and nature.
C1 verb /ˈpærəlaɪz/

paralyze

Meaning
to cause someone or something to lose the ability to move or function normally
Example
The sudden shock seemed to paralyze him.
B1 verb /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/

purchase

Meaning
to buy something; to acquire by paying money
Example
I need to purchase groceries for the week.
C1 noun /ˈpæn.θi.ən/

pantheon

Meaning
All the gods of a religion collectively; a building dedicated to all gods.
Example
The Roman Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient temples.
C2 adjective /ˌpɒliˈæn.ɪ.ɪʃ/

pollyannaish

Meaning
overly or blindly optimistic
Example
Her pollyannaish attitude ignored the obvious problems.
C1 verb /ˈpɜːmieɪt/

permeate

Meaning
Spread throughout (something); pervade.
Example
The scent of fresh flowers permeated the entire room.
B2 noun /plʌɡ/

plug

Meaning
a device used to connect or block an opening
Example
She inserted the plug into the socket.
B2 verb /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/

pinpoint

Meaning
to locate or identify something with precision
Example
The detective was able to pinpoint the exact location of the suspect.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkəbl/

peccable

Meaning
liable to sin or error; capable of doing wrong
Example
Humans are peccable, but they strive for goodness.
C1 verb /piːv/

peeve

Meaning
To annoy or irritate someone.
Example
His constant interruptions really peeve me.
C2 verb /ˈprɛsɪdʒ/

presage

Meaning
to be a sign or warning that something will happen; to foreshadow
Example
Dark clouds presage a storm.
B2 noun pɪər ˈɪnfluəns

peer influence

Meaning
The effect that members of a peer group have on each other, especially in terms of behavior, attitudes, and decision-making.
Example
Peer influence can shape juvenile behavior significantly.
C2 noun /ˌsaɪ.kəʊˈɡræf.ɪks/

Psychographics

Meaning
The study and classification of people according to their attitudes, aspirations, and other psychological criteria.
Example
Psychographics reveal consumer buying motives.
A2 noun /ˈpleɪər/

player

Meaning
a person who participates in a game or sport
Example
The player scored the winning goal.
C1 noun prɪˈzɜː.və.tɪvz

preservatives

Meaning
A substance used to preserve foodstuffs, wood, or other materials against decay.
Example
Many processed foods contain harmful preservatives.
B1 verb pres

press

Meaning
Exert force on (someone or something), typically with one's finger or hand, in order to move them away from oneself.
Example
Press firmly to operate the machine.
C2 noun /prɪˈfɜːrmənt/

preferment

Meaning
promotion or advancement in rank, position, or office
Example
He hoped for preferment in the government office.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪrɪk/

pyrrhic

Meaning
A victory won at such a great cost that it is almost equivalent to defeat.
Example
The general declared the battle a pyrrhic victory due to heavy losses.
A2 noun, verb /pəʊst/

post

Meaning
a job or position, or to send something by mail
Example
She posted a letter to her friend yesterday.
B1 noun freɪzɪz

phrases

Meaning
A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause.
Example
Learn common phrases for daily use.
B2 noun /pərˈspek.tɪv/

Perspective

Meaning
a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view; the art of representing three-dimensional objects
Example
From his perspective, the decision was completely wrong.
C1 verb /ˈpændər/

pander

Meaning
to indulge or exploit the weaknesses, desires, or immoral tendencies of others
Example
The politician was accused of pandering to voters' fears.
C1 verb /piːk/

pique

Meaning
to stimulate interest or curiosity; to arouse resentment or anger
Example
Her remarks piqued his curiosity about the secret project.
C1 noun /ˈper.ɪ.wɪŋ.kəl/

Periwinkle

Meaning
a small trailing plant with violet-blue or white flowers
Example
Purple periwinkles covered the garden ground beautifully.
B2 noun /prɒp/

prop

Meaning
an object used on stage by actors during a performance; something that supports or holds up
Example
The actor forgot his prop on stage.
B1 noun /ˈpʊl.oʊ.vər/

Pullover

Meaning
a knitted garment worn on the upper body, typically pulled on over the head
Example
She wore a warm pullover during the cold winter evening.
C2 noun /fɪˈlændərər/

philanderer

Meaning
a man who habitually engages in casual romantic or sexual affairs
Example
The politician was exposed as a notorious philanderer.
C2 noun /ˈfɪl.ɪ.staɪn/

philistine

Meaning
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
Example
He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art.
C2 noun /ˈpɛd.ən.tri/

pedantry

Meaning
Excessive concern with minor details or rules.
Example
His pedantry made the meeting unnecessarily long.
B2 verb /prəˈhɪbɪt/

prohibit

Meaning
to forbid something by law, rule, or other authority
Example
The law prohibits smoking in public places.
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.
C2 noun /proʊˈbɑːsɪs/

proboscis

Meaning
The long, flexible nose of some animals, especially an elephant, or a tubular feeding and sucking organ in insects.
Example
The elephant used its proboscis to grab food.
C1 noun /pæŋ/

pang

Meaning
a sudden sharp feeling of pain or emotional distress
Example
She felt a pang of guilt after the argument.
C1 noun ˈfeɪz.aʊt

phase-out

Meaning
A gradual reduction and eventual elimination of something.
Example
A phase-out of fossil fuels was agreed upon.
C1 adjective /pəˈfʌŋk.tər.i/

perfunctory

Meaning
done without much effort, interest, or thought
Example
He gave a perfunctory nod and walked away.
C1 noun, verb /pliːt/

pleat

Meaning
a fold in fabric made by doubling the material back upon itself
Example
She added a pleat to the skirt for extra volume.
C2 noun /ˈfærɪsiː/

pharisee

Meaning
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
Example
He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults.
C1 noun /ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃən/

provocation

Meaning
An action or statement that is intended to make someone angry or to cause a reaction.
Example
His rude comment was a clear provocation.
C1 verb /pɜːrdʒ/

purge

Meaning
To remove unwanted feelings, people, or things; to cleanse or purify.
Example
The new leader promised to purge corruption from the government.
B2 verb /pəˈluːt/

pollute

Meaning
to make air, water, or land dirty and harmful to people, animals, and plants
Example
Factories pollute the environment with toxic chemicals.
B2 noun /fɪˈlɒsəfə/

philosopher

Meaning
a person engaged in the study of philosophy or in serious thinking about fundamental questions
Example
Socrates was a famous philosopher of ancient Greece.
B1 noun /ˈpoʊni/

Pony

Meaning
a small horse, typically under 14.2 hands high
Example
The children enjoyed riding the gentle pony at the farm.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪk/

polemic

Meaning
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
Example
The article was a fierce polemic against the government's policies.
A1 noun, verb /pleɪs/

place

Meaning
a particular position or location; to put something in a specific position
Example
She placed the books on the table.
C2 adjective /paɪd/

pied

Meaning
having two or more different colors, typically in blotches
Example
The pied cat had black and white patches all over its body.
C1 noun /ˌsaɪkoʊˈθɛrəpi/

psychotherapy

Meaning
The treatment of mental disorder by psychological rather than medical means.
Example
She attended weekly psychotherapy sessions to cope with her anxiety.
B1 noun /ˈproʊtiːn/

protein

Meaning
a molecule composed of amino acids essential for bodily functions
Example
Proteins are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body.
C1 noun /ˈpɔːpər/

pauper

Meaning
A very poor person.
Example
The pauper begged for food on the street corner.
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.
C1 verb /pərˈspaɪər/

perspire

Meaning
To give out sweat through the pores of the skin as a result of heat, physical exertion, or stress.
Example
He began to perspire after running for 10 minutes.
B2 noun /ˈfoʊ.bi.ə/

Phobia

Meaning
an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something
Example
She has a phobia of spiders.
C1 noun /ˈpleɪˌraɪt/

playwright

Meaning
a person who writes plays
Example
Shakespeare is considered the greatest playwright of all time.
A2 preposition/conjunction/noun/adjective /plʌs/

plus

Meaning
in addition to; a positive aspect or advantage
Example
She received an A plus on her exam.
B1 noun /ˈpɔɪ.zən/

Poison

Meaning
a substance that is capable of causing death or illness
Example
The snake's bite contains deadly poison.
C2 adjective /prəˈpɪʃəs/

propitious

Meaning
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
Example
The sunny weather was a propitious start to the picnic.
C1 noun /ˌpænəˈsiːə/

panacea

Meaning
A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
Example
Education is often seen as a panacea for social problems.
A2 noun /ˈpaɪnˌæpəl/

pineapple

Meaning
a tropical fruit with a rough spiky skin, sweet yellow flesh, and a leafy crown
Example
She added fresh pineapple to the fruit salad.
B1 noun /praɪˈɔːr.ə.ti/

Priority

Meaning
something that is more important than other things and needs attention first
Example
Health should be our top priority.
A2 noun /pæn/

Pan

Meaning
a wide, flat-bottomed cooking utensil used for frying, searing, and browning foods
Example
Heat the oil in a large pan before adding the vegetables.
B1 verb /prəˈsiːd/

proceed

Meaning
to continue with a course of action; to move forward
Example
Let's proceed with the meeting as planned.
B2 noun /ˌpiːdiəˈtrɪʃən/

pediatrician

Meaning
a doctor who specializes in the medical care of children
Example
The pediatrician examined the child carefully.
B2 noun /pərˈfek.ʃən/

Perfection

Meaning
the state of being complete and without flaws; the highest degree of excellence
Example
The artist spent years trying to achieve perfection in his paintings.
B1 adjective /ˈpeɪn.fəl/

painful

Meaning
causing physical or emotional pain
Example
The injury was very painful, and he needed immediate care.
C1 adjective /ˈpəʊtəbl/

potable

Meaning
safe to drink; drinkable
Example
The villagers did not have access to potable water.
C1 noun prəˈpʌl.ʃən

propulsion

Meaning
The action of driving or pushing forward.
Example
Jet engines provide propulsion for aircraft to travel long distances.
C1 noun /pɪˌdɛs.tri.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

pedestrianization

Meaning
Making areas pedestrian-friendly, closing any area to vehicle traffic and making it open only for pedestrians.
Example
The pedestrianization of city centers reduces pollution.
A2 noun /ˈpɒkɪt/

pocket

Meaning
a small, enclosed space in clothing for carrying items
Example
He put his phone in his pocket.
C1 adjective /ˈprɪvi/

privy

Meaning
having access to secret or private knowledge
Example
She was privy to the confidential discussions.
C2 verb /prɒɡˈnɒstɪkeɪt/

prognosticate

Meaning
To foretell or predict future events, especially based on current signs.
Example
Experts attempted to prognosticate the outcome of the election.
A2 noun /ˈpɛni/

penny

Meaning
a small coin of low value; a very small amount of money
Example
He found a penny on the sidewalk and smiled.
C2 noun /foʊˈtɑːmɪtri/

photometry

Meaning
the science of measuring visible light in terms of its perceived brightness to human eyes
Example
Photometry helps in designing efficient lighting systems.
C1 adjective /ˈprɪnsəpəld/

principled

Meaning
acting in accordance with moral or ethical standards
Example
He is a principled leader who always puts honesty first.
C1 noun ˌpɒlɪˈneɪʃən

Pollination

Meaning
The process by which pollen is transferred from flowers, enabling plant reproduction.
Example
Butterflies play a vital role in pollination.
B2 adjective ˈpeɪn.ləs

painless

Meaning
Not causing pain; involving little effort or stress.
Example
Modern methods ensure painless treatment.
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.
A2 noun /ˈpæs.ən.dʒər/

Passenger

Meaning
A person who travels in a vehicle but is not driving it
Example
The bus can carry thirty passengers.