polarize
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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.
B2 noun, verb /ˈblækmeɪl/

blackmail

Meaning
the act of demanding money or advantage by threatening to reveal secrets; to force someone to act by using such threats
Example
He tried to blackmail her by threatening to reveal the documents.
C2 noun /ˌtɜːsənˈtɛnəri/

tercentenary

Meaning
The 300th anniversary of an event.
Example
The city celebrated its tercentenary with a grand festival.
B1 adverb /ˈfɔːtʃənətli/

fortunately

Meaning
by good luck; luckily
Example
Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.
C2 noun /ˈmeɪvən/

maven

Meaning
an expert or connoisseur in a particular field
Example
He is a tech maven who always knows the latest trends.
C2 noun /ˈkɒl.ə.kwi/

colloquy

Meaning
A formal conversation or dialogue, often on serious or academic topics.
Example
The professors engaged in a deep colloquy about the future of education.
C1 noun /ˌæntiˈklaɪmæks/

anticlimax

Meaning
A disappointing end after a big build-up of excitement or expectation.
Example
The movie's ending was an anticlimax after such a thrilling story.
C1 adjective /seɪdʒ/

Sage

Meaning
wise; showing wisdom from experience; prudent; having good judgment
Example
The sage advice from the elder helped solve the problem.
C2 adjective /pʌŋkˈtɪliəs/

punctilious

Meaning
Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
Example
She was punctilious in her attention to etiquette.
B2 noun/verb /preɪ/

prey

Meaning
an animal hunted by another for food; to hunt and feed on
Example
Lions prey on zebras in the wild.
C1 verb /bɔːk/

balk

Meaning
to hesitate or refuse to proceed or comply
Example
She balked at signing the contract without reading it fully.
B2 noun /ˈkiːɒsk/

kiosk

Meaning
A small, open-fronted hut or cubicle from which newspapers, refreshments, tickets, etc., are sold.
Example
She bought a bottle of water from the kiosk near the station.
B2 adjective /ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/

outgoing

Meaning
Friendly and sociable; inclined to mix with others.
Example
He is an outgoing person who loves meeting new people.
B2 noun /slæŋ/

Slang

Meaning
very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written
Example
The teenagers used slang that their parents couldn't understand.
C2 adjective /ˌpɒliˈæn.ɪ.ɪʃ/

pollyannaish

Meaning
overly or blindly optimistic
Example
Her pollyannaish attitude ignored the obvious problems.
B2 noun /taɪm ˈblɒk.ɪŋ/

time blocking

Meaning
A time management method where you divide your day into blocks of time and assign specific activities to each block.
Example
Time-blocking helps in better productivity and efficiency.
C1 adjective ˌhaɪ.pəˈθet.ɪ.kəl

hypothetical

Meaning
Based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed but not necessarily real or true.
Example
The discussion was based on hypothetical scenarios.
C1 verb /əˈpɛnd/

append

Meaning
to add something as an attachment or supplement, usually at the end of a document or list
Example
She decided to append a note to the end of the report.
C2 verb /əˈkuːtə/

accoutre

Meaning
to dress or equip, especially in something impressive or elaborate
Example
The knight was accoutred in shining armor.
C1 verb /ˈmjuːteɪt/

mutate

Meaning
To change or cause to change in form, nature, or character.
Example
The virus can mutate into a more dangerous strain.
C1 verb /ˈræn.sæk/

ransack

Meaning
to search a place roughly and steal or damage things
Example
Burglars ransacked the house while the family was away.
B1 verb /tɛmpt/

tempt

Meaning
to entice or attract someone to do something, often something wrong or unwise
Example
The smell of fresh bread tempted him to enter the bakery.
B2 noun/verb /ˈslɔː.tər/

slaughter

Meaning
the killing of animals for food; killing in large numbers violently
Example
The army slaughtered hundreds of enemy soldiers.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkwɪzɪtər/

inquisitor

Meaning
A person who asks many questions, often in an official or harsh manner.
Example
The inquisitor demanded detailed answers from the witness.
B2 adjective /əˈvɔɪdəbl/

avoidable

Meaning
able to be prevented or avoided
Example
Most of the damage was avoidable with proper planning.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːr.tɪdʒ/

Shortage

Meaning
a lack or deficiency of something that is needed or expected
Example
There is a severe water shortage in the region.
C2 adjective /ˈruːmi/

rheumy

Meaning
Watery, especially referring to the eyes.
Example
His rheumy eyes showed signs of age and fatigue.
A2 noun /dɪˈɡriː/

degree

Meaning
an amount or level of something; an academic qualification
Example
She earned a degree in engineering.
C2 adjective /ˈviː.ni.əl/

Venial

Meaning
forgivable; not seriously wrong; minor
Example
His late arrival was considered a venial offense.
B2 adjective, noun, verb /faʊl/

foul

Meaning
offensive to the senses; dirty or unpleasant; in sports, an unfair or illegal act
Example
The player was penalized for committing a foul.
C2 noun /ˈɡʌmp.ʃən/

gumption

Meaning
Courage, resourcefulness, or initiative.
Example
It takes real gumption to start your own business.
B2 noun /pænt/

Pant

Meaning
a piece of clothing worn on the lower body covering each leg separately
Example
She bought a new pair of pants for the party.
C2 verb /bɪˈstraɪd/

bestride

Meaning
To sit or stand astride something; to dominate over.
Example
The statue bestrides the city square.
C1 noun /ˈɛskəpeɪd/

escapade

Meaning
an adventurous, exciting, or reckless act
Example
Their summer escapade included camping and mountain climbing.
A1 verb /traɪ/

try

Meaning
to make an effort to do something; to attempt
Example
I will try my best to help you.
C2 verb /səˈbɔːrn/

suborn

Meaning
to bribe or induce someone unlawfully to perform an act, especially to commit perjury
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to suborn a witness.
C1 noun /ˈsɒlstɪs/

solstice

Meaning
the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator (summer and winter solstice)
Example
People celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and rituals.
C2 noun /əˈpɒstəsi/

apostasy

Meaning
The abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.
Example
His public apostasy shocked his followers.
C2 noun /ˈɔːldər/

alder

Meaning
A type of tree from the birch family that typically grows in wet ground and has simple, serrated leaves.
Example
The alder trees grew thick along the riverbank.
C1 noun /kənˈvʌl.ʃən/

convulsion

Meaning
a sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of muscles; a seizure
Example
The medicine helped prevent convulsions in children.
C2 verb /breɪ/

bray

Meaning
To make a loud, harsh sound like a donkey.
Example
The donkey began to bray loudly in the field.
C2 noun /ˈɡændər/

Gander

Meaning
male goose
Example
The gander protected his family from the approaching dog.
C2 noun /ˈɛərəˌstæt/

aerostat

Meaning
A lighter-than-air craft, such as a balloon, that is lifted by gas.
Example
The military used an aerostat for surveillance over the border.
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.
C2 noun /ˈvɪtəlz/

victuals

Meaning
Food or provisions, especially for human consumption.
Example
The travelers packed enough victuals for their long journey.
B2 noun rɪsk ˈfæktər

risk factor

Meaning
Something that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or condition
Example
Water pollution is a significant risk factor for health.
A2 noun ˈhæpɪnəs

happiness

Meaning
The feeling or state of being happy; a pleasurable or satisfying experience; contentment and joy.
Example
Happiness lies in enjoying the small things in life.
B2 noun /ˈtʃeɪmbər/

chamber

Meaning
a large room used for formal or public events, or a private room.
Example
The king held meetings in his private chamber.
C1 noun /ˈɒktɪv/

octave

Meaning
A series of eight musical notes, or the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency.
Example
The singer's voice could easily reach the higher octave.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒr.ə.ɡeɪ.tɪd/

corrugated

Meaning
shaped into ridges and grooves; wrinkled or folded
Example
The roof was made of corrugated metal sheets.
A2 noun /kæmp/

Camp

Meaning
a place where soldiers live temporarily; a place with tents or huts for temporary accommodation
Example
The military established a camp near the border.
C2 noun /əˈmæl.ɡəm/

amalgam

Meaning
a mixture or blend of different things
Example
The new policy is an amalgam of several previous laws.
C2 adjective ɪˈnɛfəbl

ineffable

Meaning
Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
Example
The beauty of the landscape was ineffable.
C1 noun /ˌrɛspɪˈreɪʃən/

respiration

Meaning
The process of breathing or the exchange of gases in living organisms.
Example
Respiration is essential for all living beings.
B2 noun ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən

urbanization

Meaning
The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.
Example
Urbanization leads to more developed infrastructure.
B1 verb /dɪˈklɛər/

declare

Meaning
To announce something formally or officially.
Example
The government declared a state of emergency.
B2 noun /ˈsɛnətər/

senator

Meaning
a member of a senate, especially in a legislative body
Example
The senator spoke passionately about environmental policies.
C1 noun ˈkɑːr.bən ˌsiː.kwəˈstreɪ.ʃən

carbon sequestration

Meaning
The process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate or defer global warming.
Example
Forests play a key role in carbon sequestration.
B1 adjective /rɪˈpiː.tɪd/

Repeated

Meaning
done again; happening again; occurring multiple times
Example
He made repeated attempts to contact her.
B2 adjective /dɪm/

Dim

Meaning
not bright; having little light; faint
Example
The room was dim with only a small candle for light.
B2 verb /plaʊ/

plough

Meaning
to break up and turn over soil using a plough; to move through something with difficulty
Example
The farmer ploughs the field every spring.
C1 noun/verb /brʊk/

brook

Meaning
As a noun: a small natural stream; As a verb: to tolerate or endure something
Example
The village was built near a clear brook.
B1 verb /kəmˈbaɪn/

combine

Meaning
To bring two or more things together to form a single unit.
Example
They decided to combine their resources for the project.
C2 noun /təˈmɛrɪti/

temerity

Meaning
Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
Example
He had the temerity to challenge the professor’s argument.
C1 noun /tɪnt/

tint

Meaning
a slight shade or variation of a color
Example
The walls were painted white with a slight blue tint.
B2 adverb /ˈθʌrəli/

Thoroughly

Meaning
completely; entirely; in a thorough manner
Example
She thoroughly cleaned the entire house before the guests arrived.
B1 noun /læk/

Lack

Meaning
the state of being without or not having enough of something; absence or shortage
Example
The lack of rain this summer has caused serious problems for farmers.
C1 adjective /ɪˈrɒtɪk/

erotic

Meaning
relating to or tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement
Example
The novel contained several erotic scenes.
A2 noun /ˈnoʊtbʊk/

notebook

Meaning
a small book with blank or ruled pages for writing notes; also a portable computer
Example
She opened her notebook to jot down some ideas.
B2 adjective ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən.əl

constitutional

Meaning
Relating to an established set of principles governing a state; in accordance with a political constitution.
Example
Constitutional reforms ensure fairness in the system.
A2 noun /klaʊd/

Cloud

Meaning
a visible mass of condensed water vapour floating in the atmosphere above the ground
Example
Dark clouds gathered before the storm.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈsaɪkɪk/

psychic

Meaning
relating to the mind or supernatural powers; a person claiming to have extrasensory abilities
Example
The psychic claimed she could predict the future.
C2 noun /bɛl/

belle

Meaning
A beautiful woman, especially the most attractive woman at a gathering.
Example
She was the belle of the ball that evening.
B2 noun/verb /ˌbærɪˈkeɪd/

barricade

Meaning
a barrier erected to block or defend against movement; to block a passage with obstacles
Example
Protesters built a barricade across the street.
A1 article /æn/

an

Meaning
used before a noun to refer to a non-specific item that begins with a vowel sound
Example
She ate an apple for breakfast.
C1 adjective /ˈpriːmə/

prima

Meaning
first or most important; excellent
Example
She was treated as the prima ballerina of the troupe.
B2 noun/verb /ɡʌt/

gut

Meaning
The stomach or belly; also used for courage, instinct, or to remove the inside of something.
Example
He had the guts to stand up for his beliefs.
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.
C2 noun /ˈɔːɡjʊri/

augury

Meaning
A sign or omen that is believed to predict future events.
Example
The dark clouds were seen as an augury of an approaching storm.
C1 noun /ˌtɛstɪˈməʊnɪəlz/

testimonials

Meaning
Written or spoken statements of praise or recommendation from clients or customers.
Example
Positive testimonials can enhance a company's reputation.
C1 noun ˈeʃ.ə.lɒn

echelon

Meaning
A level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society.
Example
He climbed to the upper echelon of the corporate world.
C2 adjective /ˌævəˈrɪʃəs/

avaricious

Meaning
having or showing extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Example
The avaricious landlord increased the rent unfairly.
B2 adjective /ˈtʃeɪn.dʒə.bəl/

Changeable

Meaning
able to be changed; likely to change frequently
Example
The weather is very changeable in spring.
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.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈmɪnətʃər/ or /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/

miniature

Meaning
a very small version of something; small in scale or size
Example
The artist created a miniature model of the castle.
C1 noun ˈnɛktər

Nectar

Meaning
A sweet liquid produced by flowers that serves as food for butterflies.
Example
Butterflies drink nectar from flowers.
C1 noun ˈfæl.ə.si

fallacy

Meaning
False belief, misconception, false reasoning.
Example
The idea that success comes easy is a fallacy.
B1 noun /stoʊv/

Stove

Meaning
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food by applying heat
Example
She cooked dinner on the gas stove.
C2 verb /dɪˈfreɪ/

defray

Meaning
to provide money to pay the costs of something
Example
The grant will help defray the cost of education.
A2 verb /tʌtʃ/

touch

Meaning
to put your hand or finger on something; to make physical contact
Example
Please don't touch the wet paint.
B1 noun /ˈtɛmpəl/

temple

Meaning
a building used for the worship of a god or gods
Example
They visited an ancient temple during their trip to India.
C1 verb /ˈlæmɪˌneɪt/

laminate

Meaning
to cover or enclose something with a protective layer, usually plastic
Example
She laminated her important documents to protect them from damage.
C1 noun /əˈtrɑːsəti/

atrocity

Meaning
an extremely cruel or violent act, often involving physical violence
Example
The world condemned the atrocity committed against civilians.
A2 adjective /prəˈfɛʃənl/

professional

Meaning
relating to a job that requires special training or education
Example
She is a professional dancer who performs internationally.
C1 noun kənˈsɔː.ti.əm

consortium

Meaning
An association of several companies or organizations formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member.
Example
The consortium worked collaboratively to build the cable.
B2 noun /ɪkˈspəʊʒər/

exposure

Meaning
the state of being exposed to contact with something, especially harmful
Example
Prolonged exposure to the sun can damage your skin.
C1 noun /ˈhɛzɪtənsi/

hesitancy

Meaning
The tendency to pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear.
Example
His hesitancy in answering made everyone doubt his confidence.
C1 noun /əˈboʊd/

abode

Meaning
a place of residence; a home
Example
They invited us to their humble abode.
C2 adjective /daɪˈdæktɪk/

didactic

Meaning
Intended to teach, often with a moral lesson.
Example
The novel is not just entertaining but also didactic in nature.
B1 noun rɪˈdʌk.ʃən

reduction

Meaning
The action or fact of making a specified thing smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
Example
Greenhouse gas reduction is a primary global goal.
C1 adjective /dɪsˈkwaɪətɪŋ/

disquieting

Meaning
Causing worry, unease, or anxiety.
Example
The news report was deeply disquieting to the public.
C2 verb /lɪr/

leer

Meaning
To look at someone in an unpleasant, sly, or sexually suggestive way.
Example
He leered at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
C1 noun /əˈbændənmənt/

abandonment

Meaning
the act of leaving someone or something behind completely; the state of being deserted
Example
The child suffered deep emotional pain because of abandonment.
B2 adjective /ˈtæn.dʒɪ.bəl/

tangible

Meaning
Perceptible by touch; clear and definite; real.
Example
The benefits of exercise are tangible and measurable.
B2 noun /ˌrɛfəˈriː/

referee

Meaning
a person who oversees a game or match to ensure the rules are followed
Example
The referee stopped the game after a foul.
A2 noun /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/

equipment

Meaning
the necessary tools, machines, or other items needed for a particular purpose
Example
The laboratory bought new equipment for research.
C1 noun /ˈwɒndərlʌst/

wanderlust

Meaning
A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Example
Her wanderlust took her to every corner of the globe.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːliˌmaʊðd/

mealymouthed

Meaning
not willing to speak directly and honestly; evasive in speech
Example
The politician gave a mealymouthed response to the tough question.
C1 noun /ˈhɒrəˌskoʊp/

horoscope

Meaning
A forecast of a person's future based on the positions of the stars and planets at their birth.
Example
She read her horoscope every morning to see what the stars predicted.
B1 noun pəˈten.ʃəl

potential

Meaning
Having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.
Example
The potential for innovation is immense.
C2 adjective /bəˈθɛt.ɪk/

bathetic

Meaning
displaying insincere or trivial emotion; producing an unintended ridiculous effect through sudden change from serious to silly
Example
The movie's ending was unintentionally bathetic rather than tragic.
B2 noun ˈæt.rɪ.bjuːts

attributes

Meaning
A quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something.
Example
Advanced crops possess beneficial attributes.
C1 noun ˌhaɪ.droʊˈpɒn.ɪks

hydroponics

Meaning
Growing plants using nutrient-rich water instead of soil.
Example
Hydroponics allows crops to grow without soil.
B1 noun /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt/

engagement

Meaning
The action of engaging or being engaged; participation or involvement.
Example
Social media engagement helps brands connect with their audience.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈduː/

Undue

Meaning
excessive; inappropriate; more than is necessary or proper
Example
The teacher complained about undue pressure from parents.
B1 adverb /ɪnˈkrɛdɪbli/

incredibly

Meaning
to a great degree; extremely or unbelievably
Example
The view from the top of the mountain was incredibly beautiful.
C1 verb /ˌrekəˈlekt/

recollect

Meaning
to remember something; to recall from memory
Example
I can't recollect where I put my keys.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪlkən/

Silken

Meaning
made of silk; smooth and soft like silk
Example
She wore a beautiful silken dress to the party.
B2 adjective /bəˈtænɪkəl/

botanical

Meaning
relating to plants or plant life
Example
She works at the botanical garden.
B2 phrase teɪk ˈpɜː.sən.əl.i

take personally

Meaning
To interpret someone's words or actions as a personal attack or criticism.
Example
Don't take it personally, he didn't mean to upset you.
C1 noun /ˌdɪsəˈluːʃən/

dissolution

Meaning
the act of formally ending or breaking apart something, such as an organization or marriage
Example
The dissolution of the company was announced yesterday.