portrait
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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.
C1 adjective /ˈprevələnt/

Prevalent

Meaning
widespread; existing very commonly; generally occurring
Example
Smoking is still prevalent among teenagers despite health warnings.
B1 noun /ˈprɪnsɪpl/

principle

Meaning
A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
Example
Honesty is a key principle of leadership.
C1 noun /pɒˈstɛrɪti/

posterity

Meaning
All future generations of people.
Example
The monument was built for the benefit of posterity.
C1 adjective /ˌpærəˈdɒksɪkəl/

paradoxical

Meaning
Seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense, yet possibly true.
Example
It is paradoxical that standing is often more tiring than walking.
B2 noun /ˈpɪm.pəl/

Pimple

Meaning
a small, inflamed elevation of the skin; a spot on the skin, especially on the face
Example
She was embarrassed about the pimple on her forehead.
C1 noun /ˈprɒk.tər/

proctor

Meaning
a person who supervises students during an examination
Example
The proctor reminded students to keep their phones switched off.
A2 verb /pɒp/

pop

Meaning
to make a short, sharp sound, or to burst or break with such a sound
Example
The balloon popped when I accidentally pricked it with a pin.
C1 noun, verb /ˌprɒməˈneɪd/

promenade

Meaning
A leisurely walk or stroll, especially in a public place for pleasure or display.
Example
They went for a promenade along the seaside.
C1 adjective /pɪˈkjuːniˌɛri/

pecuniary

Meaning
relating to money or financial matters
Example
They faced pecuniary difficulties after the business failed.
C2 noun /ˈpriːsɛpt/

precept

Meaning
A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
Example
Honesty is a fundamental precept in all religions.
C1 adjective /pərˈsɛptɪv/

perceptive

Meaning
Having or showing keen insight, understanding, or awareness.
Example
She is very perceptive and quickly notices when something is wrong.
A2 adverb /pəˈhæps/

Perhaps

Meaning
possibly; maybe; used to express uncertainty or make a suggestion
Example
Perhaps we should call before visiting to make sure they're home.
C1 noun /ˌpiːdiˈætrɪks/

pediatrics

Meaning
the branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of children
Example
She decided to specialize in pediatrics after medical school.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈpɑːrtɪzən/

partisan

Meaning
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person; showing biased allegiance.
Example
The debate quickly turned partisan, with each side defending their own agenda.
B2 noun /ˈpɪk.səl/

pixel

Meaning
the smallest unit of a digital image or display
Example
The image is blurry because some pixels are missing.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪroʊˈmeɪniæk/

pyromaniac

Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The pyromaniac was arrested for setting several buildings ablaze.
B2 noun /fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/

philosophy

Meaning
the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
Example
Her philosophy emphasizes kindness and empathy.
B1 noun

Pattern

C1 noun /ˌpæn.əˈræm.ə/

panorama

Meaning
An unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer.
Example
From the hilltop, we enjoyed a breathtaking panorama of the city.
C1 noun /ˌpɜːrsɪˈkjuːʃn/

persecution

Meaning
the act of treating someone cruelly or unfairly because of their religion, race, or beliefs
Example
The persecution of minorities has been condemned worldwide.
C1 adjective /pɒˈstɪəriər/

posterior

Meaning
Situated at or toward the back; later in time.
Example
The posterior part of the brain controls vision.
C2 noun, verb /ˈpɑːrli/

parley

Meaning
a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms
Example
The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender.
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 /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.
C2 noun /ˈprɒvəndər/

provender

Meaning
food or provisions, especially for livestock
Example
The barn was filled with provender for the cattle.
C1 noun /ˈpɪn.sərz/

Pincers

Meaning
a tool made of two curved or hinged pieces of metal used for gripping and pulling things
Example
The chef used pincers to remove the hot pot from the stove.
B2 noun /ˈpɒlən/

pollen

Meaning
fine powder produced by flowers, used in fertilization
Example
Bees collect pollen from flowers to make honey.
C2 noun prɒkˈsiː.mɪks

proxemics

Meaning
The study of how people use space and distance to indicate relationships
Example
Understanding proxemics helps in improving interpersonal communication.
C2 noun /fɪˈlæt.əl.i/

philately

Meaning
the collection and study of postage stamps
Example
Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages.
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.
C1 verb /ˌpriːdɪˈspoʊz/

predispose

Meaning
To make someone more likely to behave in a certain way or be affected by something.
Example
His genetics may predispose him to diabetes.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɪʒən/

parisian

Meaning
relating to Paris or its people
Example
She wore a Parisian style dress at the party.
A2 preposition /pɜːr/

per

Meaning
for each, according to
Example
The tickets are priced at $20 per person.
B2 adjective ˌpriːhɪˈstɒrɪk

prehistoric

Meaning
Belonging to the time before written records.
Example
The prehistoric era was marked by the rise of early humans.
B2 adjective /prɪˈdɒmɪnənt/

predominant

Meaning
Having superior strength, influence, or authority; most common or noticeable.
Example
The predominant color in the painting is blue.
C2 noun/verb /ˈpɪləri/

pillory

Meaning
a device for publicly punishing someone / to expose to public ridicule
Example
The corrupt official was placed in the pillory for the town to jeer at.
A2 adjective /ˈprɒpər/

proper

Meaning
conforming to accepted standards of behavior or morality
Example
He made sure to wear proper attire for the interview.
C2 adjective /pruːˈdɛnʃəl/

prudential

Meaning
involving or showing prudence, especially in financial or business matters
Example
The bank has set prudential rules to protect depositors.
B2 noun /saɪˈkɒlədʒɪst/

psychologist

Meaning
a person who studies mental processes and behavior
Example
The psychologist helped him cope with his anxiety.
B2 adjective /ˈprɒb.ə.bəl/

Probable

Meaning
likely to happen; expected; plausible
Example
It is probable that it will rain tomorrow according to the weather forecast.
B1 noun /ˈpælɪs/

palace

Meaning
a large and impressive building that is the official home of a king, queen, or other ruler
Example
The royal family lives in a magnificent palace.
B2 adjective /ˈplɛʒərəbl/

pleasurable

Meaning
giving pleasure or enjoyment
Example
Reading a good book is a pleasurable activity.
C1 adjective /ˈprɪvi/

privy

Meaning
having access to secret or private knowledge
Example
She was privy to the confidential discussions.
B2 adjective /prəˈɡrɛsɪv/

progressive

Meaning
favoring or implementing new and modern ideas or policies; moving forward or improving
Example
She holds progressive views on social justice and equality.
B2 noun /ˈprɒbləm ˈsɒlvɪŋ/

problem-solving

Meaning
The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
Example
Problem-solving skills are key to leadership.
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.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrsənɪdʒ/

personage

Meaning
an important or famous person
Example
He is considered a great personage in the world of literature.
C1 noun /ˈpɪt.əns/

pittance

Meaning
a very small or inadequate amount of money
Example
She worked long hours for a mere pittance.
B2 noun /pætʃ/

Patch

Meaning
a small piece of material used to mend a hole; a small area of something different
Example
She sewed a patch over the hole in her jeans.
C1 verb /paʊt/

pout

Meaning
to push one's lips forward as an expression of annoyance or sulkiness
Example
The child began to pout when he didn’t get the toy.
B1 noun ˈpɒdkɑːsts

podcasts

Meaning
A digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer.
Example
Podcasts are great for improving listening.
C1 adjective /prəˈfɛtɪk/

prophetic

Meaning
accurately predicting or describing what will happen in the future
Example
His prophetic words came true after many years.
C1 verb /pərˈtɜːrb/

perturb

Meaning
To disturb or unsettle greatly in mind.
Example
The sudden noise perturbed the students during the exam.
C1 adjective /pɑːrtʃt/

parched

Meaning
extremely dry, especially because of heat or thirst
Example
After walking in the desert, he was parched with thirst.
B2 noun pəˈspek.tɪvz

perspectives

Meaning
A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Example
New perspectives enhance understanding.
B1 noun ˈpeɪʃəns

patience

Meaning
The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious
Example
Patience is essential when chasing big goals.
B2 noun /ˈproʊtəˌtaɪp/

prototype

Meaning
The first model or version of something, used as a sample for testing or improvement.
Example
The company built a prototype of the new smartphone before mass production.
A2 noun /ˈpeɪmənt/

payment

Meaning
the action or process of paying money for something
Example
The payment for the order was received yesterday.
C1 noun

Peck

C2 adjective /ˈpjuːɪsənt/

puissant

Meaning
having great power or influence; mighty
Example
The king was a puissant ruler whose word was law.
C2 noun /ˌpriːɪɡˈzɪstəns/

preexistence

Meaning
the state of existing before something else
Example
Philosophers often debated the preexistence of the soul.
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.
B1 noun, verb /praɪz/

prize

Meaning
something given as a reward for achievement; to value highly
Example
He won the first prize in the competition.
C2 noun /pəˈnʌmbrə/

penumbra

Meaning
a partially shaded area around the shadow of an object, especially during an eclipse
Example
The moon’s penumbra created a dim shadow over the Earth.
C2 noun /ˈpiːən/

paean

Meaning
A song or piece of writing expressing great praise or triumph.
Example
The article was a paean to the beauty of nature.
A2 noun /ˈpʊd.ɪŋ/

Pudding

Meaning
a sweet dessert typically made by boiling or steaming
Example
My grandmother makes delicious chocolate pudding for dessert.
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 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.
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.
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.
B2 noun /ˈpæm.flət/

pamphlet

Meaning
a small booklet or brochure containing information or arguments about a subject
Example
The health department distributed a pamphlet about nutrition.
C1 noun /ˈpreɪsiː/

precis

Meaning
A concise summary of a text or speech.
Example
The student submitted a précis of the long article.
B2 noun /pɔːrtʃ/

porch

Meaning
a covered area at the entrance of a building, often with a roof and open sides
Example
We sat on the porch and enjoyed the evening breeze.
C1 verb /ˈpʌlseɪt/

pulsate

Meaning
to expand and contract rhythmically; to throb or beat
Example
The neon lights pulsated with a steady rhythm.
C2 adjective /ˈpjʊəraɪl/

puerile

Meaning
childishly silly or immature
Example
His puerile jokes annoyed the audience.
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.
A2 noun /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/

possibility

Meaning
something that may happen or be the case; a chance that something exists or might occur
Example
There is a strong possibility of rain tomorrow.
B2 noun/verb /pəʊl/

poll

Meaning
a survey of public opinion or voting in an election
Example
The poll revealed that most people favored the new policy.
B2 noun /ˈpɪl.ɡrɪm/

Pilgrim

Meaning
a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons; a traveler
Example
The pilgrim walked for days to reach the holy shrine.
C2 noun /ˈpærəmʊr/

paramour

Meaning
a lover, especially an illicit one
Example
The secret paramour was finally revealed.
A2 adjective /praʊd/

Proud

Meaning
feeling deep pleasure from one's achievements; having high self-respect
Example
She was proud of her daughter's academic achievements.
C2 verb /pɑːrtʃ/

parch

Meaning
to make something extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
Example
The scorching sun began to parch the fields.
C1 noun /pərˈvɜr.sə.ti/

Perversity

Meaning
deliberate determination to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable way; the quality of being contrary or obstinate
Example
His perversity in refusing help frustrated everyone.
C2 adjective /ˈprɑːflɪɡət/

profligate

Meaning
recklessly extravagant or wasteful in resources
Example
The king was known for his profligate lifestyle.
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.
C1 noun /ˈpraɪməsi/

primacy

Meaning
the state of being first in importance or authority
Example
The primacy of education cannot be denied.
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.
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.
C2 verb /prɪmp/

primp

Meaning
To spend time making minor adjustments to one's appearance.
Example
She primped in front of the mirror before the party.
C1 noun prəˈtɛk.ʃə.nɪ.zəm

protectionism

Meaning
The theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports.
Example
The government's protectionism helped local businesses grow.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

philologist

Meaning
a person who studies languages and their history
Example
The philologist analyzed ancient texts to understand language evolution.
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 adjective /prəˈfeɪn/

profane

Meaning
showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things; irreverent or vulgar
Example
His jokes were considered too profane for the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈpɔːrfəri/

porphyry

Meaning
A hard igneous rock containing crystals, often used for decorative or building purposes.
Example
The ancient Romans used porphyry to make columns and statues.
A2 noun /ˈpɜːr.pəl/

Purple

Meaning
a color intermediate between red and blue; violet color
Example
The purple flowers bloomed beautifully in the garden.
A1 verb /peɪnt/

paint

Meaning
to apply a colored substance to a surface
Example
She loves to paint landscapes in her free time.
C1 verb /plʌm/

plumb

Meaning
to measure the depth of water or examine closely
Example
They used a line to plumb the depth of the lake.
C1 noun /pəˈraɪə/

pariah

Meaning
An outcast; someone who is rejected by society or a social group.
Example
After the scandal, he became a social pariah.
C2 noun /poʊˈzɜːr/

poseur

Meaning
A person who pretends to be something they are not, often to impress others.
Example
Many considered him a poseur because he exaggerated his accomplishments.
B1 noun prəˈsiː.dʒər

procedure

Meaning
An established or official way of doing something.
Example
Follow the procedure for accuracy.
C2 noun /ˈplɛbɪsaɪt/

plebiscite

Meaning
a direct vote by the electorate on an important public question
Example
The government held a plebiscite to decide on the new constitution.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌfærɪˈseɪɪkəl/

pharisaical

Meaning
Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.
Example
His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity.
A2 adjective /ˈplɛzənt/

pleasant

Meaning
giving a sense of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction
Example
We had a pleasant evening at the park.
C1 noun /prəˈvaɪzoʊ/

proviso

Meaning
a condition or stipulation attached to an agreement
Example
He accepted the job offer with the proviso that he could work remotely twice a week.
C1 adjective /prəˈdɪdʒəs/

prodigious

Meaning
remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree
Example
The team made a prodigious effort to complete the project on time.
C1 adjective /ˌfɪl.hɑːrˈmɒn.ɪk/

philharmonic

Meaning
relating to a symphony orchestra or its music
Example
The philharmonic orchestra performed a stunning rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
C2 noun /ˈpɒl.i.mæθ/

polymath

Meaning
a person with knowledge of many different subjects
Example
Leonardo da Vinci was a true polymath, excelling in art, science, and engineering.
A2 adjective /pliːzd/

pleased

Meaning
feeling happy or satisfied with something
Example
She was pleased with her exam results.
C1 noun /ˈpɛsəl/

pestle

Meaning
A heavy tool with a rounded end used for crushing or grinding substances in a mortar.
Example
She used a pestle to grind the spices.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntæd/

pentad

Meaning
A group or set of five things.
Example
The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups.
C2 adjective /ˌpɒliˈæn.ɪ.ɪʃ/

pollyannaish

Meaning
overly or blindly optimistic
Example
Her pollyannaish attitude ignored the obvious problems.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɔːrˈdeɪn/

preordain

Meaning
To decide or determine an outcome in advance, especially by fate or divine will.
Example
They believed their meeting was preordained by destiny.
B1 adjective /ˈplʊrəl/

plural

Meaning
denoting more than one person or thing
Example
The word 'cats' is the plural of 'cat'.
C2 noun /ˈpɒlɪti/

polity

Meaning
an organized society or form of government
Example
The ancient Greek polity had a system of city-states.
C1 noun /ˈprɒv.ɜːb/

Proverb

Meaning
a short saying that expresses a general truth or gives advice
Example
The proverb 'Early to bed, early to rise' teaches us about good habits.
B2 noun prəˈɡreʃ.ən

progression

Meaning
The process of developing or moving gradually towards a more advanced state.
Example
Progression in technology drives innovation.
C2 noun /fɪˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/

philology

Meaning
the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics
Example
She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts.
C1 noun /pəˈfjuː.mər.i/

perfumery

Meaning
the art, business, or products of making perfumes
Example
She works in a perfumery that creates luxury scents.
B2 verb praɪˈɒraɪtaɪz

prioritize

Meaning
To designate or treat something as more important than other things
Example
Prioritize your tasks to stay efficient.