pre-empt
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C1 verb /priːˈɛmpt/

pre-empt

Meaning
to act in advance to prevent an anticipated event from happening; forestall
Example
The government moved to pre-empt a crisis by introducing new policies.
C1 verb /ˈpɛtrɪfaɪ/

petrify

Meaning
to make someone so frightened that they are unable to move or think; to turn into stone
Example
The loud noise petrified the little child.
B2 adjective /ˈpoʊ.lər/

polar

Meaning
relating to the North or South Pole; opposite in nature or character
Example
Penguins live in polar regions of the Earth.
C1 adjective /ˈprɪnsəpəld/

principled

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

protrude

Meaning
To stick out or extend beyond a surface.
Example
A nail was protruding from the wooden board.
C2 noun /ˈpætwɑː/

patois

Meaning
a regional or social dialect, especially one considered nonstandard or informal
Example
The guide slipped into local patois when chatting with the fishermen.
B2 noun /ˈpesɪˌmɪzəm/

pessimism

Meaning
A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe the worst will happen.
Example
Her constant pessimism made it hard to stay optimistic.
C1 verb /pɜːrtʃ/

perch

Meaning
To sit or rest on something high or narrow.
Example
The bird perched on the fence.
B2 verb /paɪn/

pine

Meaning
to long intensely for something or someone; to suffer from longing
Example
He pined for his hometown after moving abroad.
C1 noun /ˈpærɪti/

parity

Meaning
the state or condition of being equal, especially in status or pay
Example
The campaign aims to achieve pay parity between men and women.
C1 noun /ˌpɜː.mɪˈæbɪlɪti/

permeability

Meaning
The quality or state of being permeable; allowing liquids or gases to pass through.
Example
The permeability of the soil affects water retention.
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 /ˈplʌk.i/

plucky

Meaning
having or showing courage and determination
Example
The plucky child rescued the kitten from the tree.
C1 noun,verb /pleɪt/

plait

Meaning
a braid of hair or straw; to braid
Example
She decided to plait her hair before the party.
A2 noun /ˈpɪloʊ/

Pillow

Meaning
a soft cushion used to support the head while sleeping
Example
She rested her head on the soft pillow.
C1 adjective /priˈɛmptɪv/

preemptive

Meaning
Serving or intended to prevent something by taking action first.
Example
The government took preemptive measures to control inflation.
C2 noun /pəˈlɛmɪks/

polemics

Meaning
the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
Example
The conference was full of polemics on economic reforms.
C2 noun /pluːˈtɒkrəsi/

plutocracy

Meaning
a system of government where the wealthy hold power
Example
The country was ruled as a plutocracy.
C2 noun /ˌfɑːrməkəˈpiːə/

pharmacopoeia

Meaning
An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.
Example
The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage.
A1 verb /peɪnt/

paint

Meaning
to apply a colored substance to a surface
Example
She loves to paint landscapes in her free time.
C2 verb /ˌpriːɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/

preengage

Meaning
To contract or engage beforehand; to arrange in advance.
Example
The workers were preengaged before the project officially started.
B2 adjective /ˈpɒlɪʃt/

polished

Meaning
refined, sophisticated, and elegant in appearance or behavior
Example
She gave a polished performance at the recital.
C2 adjective /ˈpɪd.lɪŋ/

Piddling

Meaning
trivial; insignificant; small in amount
Example
He was annoyed by the piddling amount of money he received.
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.
A2 verb /ˈpræktɪs/

practise

Meaning
to do something repeatedly to improve skill; to work in a profession
Example
She practises piano for two hours daily.
B2 verb /prɪˈskrʌɪb/

prescribe

Meaning
to recommend or authorize the use of something, especially medicine
Example
The doctor prescribed medication for my cold.
C1 adjective /pəˈdæntɪk/

pedantic

Meaning
Excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overly academic or bookish.
Example
Her pedantic explanations made the lecture dull.
B1 verb /pɑːrtɪsɪˈpeɪtɪŋ/

participating

Meaning
Taking part in an activity or event.
Example
He is participating in the Antarctic expedition.
B1 verb /prəˈsiːd/

proceed

Meaning
to continue with a course of action; to move forward
Example
Let's proceed with the meeting as planned.
C2 noun /ˈpɜːrkwɪzɪt raɪt/

perquisiteperquisiteright

Meaning
a legal right to certain benefits or privileges associated with a job or office
Example
The judge enjoyed certain perquisite rights attached to his position.
B2 adjective /ˌpriːməˈtjʊər/

premature

Meaning
Happening or done before the usual or proper time.
Example
His decision to quit the job was premature.
C1 noun /pæŋ/

pang

Meaning
a sudden sharp feeling of pain or emotional distress
Example
She felt a pang of guilt after the argument.
C2 noun /ˈpʌndʒənsi/

pungency

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

pertness

Meaning
boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness
Example
Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone.
B1 noun /ˈpaʊdər/

powder

Meaning
a fine, dry substance made of very tiny particles
Example
She sprinkled some powder on the cake.
C1 adjective /ˈpiːvɪʃ/

peevish

Meaning
Easily irritated, especially by unimportant things.
Example
The child grew peevish when denied candy.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒmɪsəri/

promissory

Meaning
Containing or conveying a promise, especially in writing.
Example
He signed a promissory note to repay the loan.
B1 noun /prəˈduː.sər/

Producer

Meaning
a person who supervises the making of a film, play, or broadcast program; someone who creates or manufactures goods
Example
The film producer invested millions in the new movie project.
C2 noun /ˈpriːskrɪpt/

prescript

Meaning
An authoritative rule or direction; something laid down as a command.
Example
The prescript of the organization required strict punctuality.
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.
C1 noun /ˈpoʊʃən/

potion

Meaning
a liquid with healing, magical, or poisonous properties
Example
The witch gave the hero a healing potion.
A2 noun /pəˈluː.ʃən/

pollution

Meaning
The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
Example
Industrial pollution harms marine life.
B2 noun /ˈpiː.lər/

Peeler

Meaning
a kitchen tool used to remove the outer skin or peel from fruits and vegetables
Example
Use a peeler to remove the potato skin.
C1 noun /ˈpraɪ.mər/ (US), /ˈprɪm.ər/ (UK)

primer

Meaning
A basic introductory book or a substance used to prepare a surface for painting.
Example
He read a primer on programming before starting his course.
B2 noun /ˈpær.ə.daɪs/

Paradise

Meaning
heaven; a place or state of perfect happiness; an ideal or perfect place
Example
The tropical island was like paradise for the tourists.
C1 noun /prəˌlɪf.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

proliferation

Meaning
Rapid increase in the number or amount of something; rapid multiplication or growth.
Example
The proliferation of malware is a growing concern.
C1 adjective /ˌpæn.əˈmer.ɪ.kən/

Pan-American

Meaning
relating to all the countries of North, Central, and South America
Example
The Pan-American Games bring together athletes from across the continent.
A1 adjective /pʊr/

Poor

Meaning
having little money; lacking resources; of low quality
Example
The poor family struggled to make ends meet.
C1 adjective /prəˈvoʊkɪŋ/

Provoking

Meaning
causing anger or strong reaction; irritating; stimulating
Example
His provoking comments made everyone angry.
C2 noun /ˈpjuː.pɪ.lɪdʒ/

pupilage

Meaning
The state of being a pupil or under instruction.
Example
During his pupilage, he studied law under a senior barrister.
C2 noun /ˈpɛntæd/

pentad

Meaning
A group or set of five things.
Example
The committee was divided into a pentad of working groups.
C1 adjective /pərˈtɜːrbd/

perturbed

Meaning
feeling anxious, unsettled, or disturbed
Example
He looked perturbed after hearing the bad news.
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 prɒkˈsiː.mɪks

proxemics

Meaning
The study of how people use space and distance to indicate relationships
Example
Understanding proxemics helps in improving interpersonal communication.
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 noun /ˈpær.əkˌsɪz.əm/

paroxysm

Meaning
A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
Example
She was seized by a paroxysm of laughter.
B2 adjective /pɪˈkjuː.li.ər/

Peculiar

Meaning
strange or odd; unusual; belonging exclusively to
Example
She has a peculiar way of speaking.
B2 noun /ˈpɑː.tɪ.klz/

particles

Meaning
Minute portions of matter.
Example
PM2.5 particles harm respiratory health.
C2 adjective /prəˈtuːbərənt/

protuberant

Meaning
Sticking out or bulging.
Example
His protuberant belly showed after the meal.
B2 adjective /proʊn/

Prone

Meaning
having a tendency to; inclined; lying face down
Example
He is prone to making mistakes when he's tired.
C1 noun /ˌpɑːrʃiˈæləti/

partiality

Meaning
an unfair preference or bias toward one side or person
Example
The judge was criticized for showing partiality in the case.
B2 noun ˈprɑː.sest fuːdz

processed foods

Meaning
Foods that have been altered from their natural state through various methods such as canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration and aseptic processing.
Example
Excessive consumption of processed foods leads to health issues.
B2 verb prəˈlɔŋd

prolonged

Meaning
Extended in duration; made to last longer than usual.
Example
Modern medicine has prolonged life expectancy.
B1 adjective /pərˈtɪk.jʊ.lər/

particular

Meaning
specific or special; distinct from others
Example
He is very particular about his diet.
B1 noun

Pedestrian

C2 noun /ˈpɒliˌɑːrki/

polyarchy

Meaning
government by many people
Example
Polyarchy allows multiple parties to share power.
B1 adverb /ˈprɒpərli/

properly

Meaning
in the correct or suitable manner
Example
He performed the task properly to avoid mistakes.
B2 verb /ˈprɒsɪkjuːt/

prosecute

Meaning
to institute legal proceedings against someone
Example
The lawyer decided to prosecute the case after gathering sufficient evidence.
C1 noun /ˈpluː.mɪdʒ/

plumage

Meaning
the feathers covering a bird's body
Example
The peacock's plumage was vibrant and eye-catching.
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 adjective /prəˈdʌk.tɪv/

Productive

Meaning
efficient; yielding good results; fruitful
Example
Working from home has made me more productive than ever before.
A2 adjective /ˈpɜːrfɪkt/

Perfect

Meaning
flawless; excellent; without fault
Example
She delivered a perfect performance on stage.
C1 noun /ˈpær.ə.di/

Parody

Meaning
an imitation of a particular style for comic effect; a humorous exaggerated copy
Example
The comedy show featured a parody of famous politicians.
B2 noun /ˈpɑːrtɪkəl/

particle

Meaning
a very small piece or amount of something
Example
Dust particles floated in the air near the window.
C1 verb /ˈprɒfər/

proffer

Meaning
to offer something for acceptance; to present
Example
She proffered her hand as a sign of friendship.
C1 adjective /ˈper.ɪ.ləs/

perilous

Meaning
Full of danger or risk; hazardous and threatening.
Example
The explorers took a perilous journey.
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.
C1 noun /ˈpruːdəns/

prudence

Meaning
The quality of being cautious, wise, and exercising good judgment.
Example
She invested her money with great prudence.
C2 adjective /ˌpɒliˈæn.ɪ.ɪʃ/

pollyannaish

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

prescriptible

Meaning
Capable of being prescribed or laid down as a rule or directive.
Example
Certain regulations are prescriptible under the law.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.əs/

Piteous

Meaning
deserving pity; arousing compassion
Example
The piteous cries of the injured animal moved everyone to tears.
C2 adjective /ˌpɜːrtɪˈneɪʃəs/

pertinacious

Meaning
holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action; stubbornly persistent
Example
The pertinacious lawyer refused to give up the case.
C1 noun ˈprɛvələns

prevalence

Meaning
The fact or condition of being widespread; the extent to which something exists or occurs
Example
The prevalence of aging issues requires immediate attention.
B2 verb /ˈpɛrɪʃ/

perish

Meaning
To die, especially in a sudden or violent way.
Example
Many soldiers perished in the war.
C1 verb /piːv/

peeve

Meaning
To annoy or irritate someone.
Example
His constant interruptions really peeve me.
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.
B1 verb /prəˈmoʊt/

promote

Meaning
to help something develop or increase; to advance someone to a higher position
Example
The company promotes environmental awareness.
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.
B1 noun /paɪp/

pipe

Meaning
a tube used for conveying liquids or gases
Example
The plumber fixed the broken pipe.
C1 noun /pəˈtɜːrnəti/

paternity

Meaning
The state of being someone's father.
Example
He demanded a paternity test to confirm his relationship with the child.
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 /ˈplez.ən.tri/

Pleasantry

Meaning
a remark made in order to be polite or friendly; light conversation or jokes
Example
They exchanged pleasantries before the meeting began.
C1 noun /ˈpɔːpər/

pauper

Meaning
A very poor person.
Example
The pauper begged for food on the street corner.
B1 noun /ˈpɪkʌp/

pickup

Meaning
a small truck with an open back; the act of collecting or improving something
Example
The company scheduled a pickup for the returned goods.
B2 noun /prəˈpɔːʃən/

proportion

Meaning
a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole
Example
The proportion of students passing the exam was high.
A2 noun ˈprəʊ.ses

process

Meaning
A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.
Example
Recruitment involves a three-stage process.
C2 adjective /ˈproʊtiən/

protean

Meaning
tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile
Example
She is a protean artist who experiments with many styles.
C1 noun /prɪˈzʌmp.ʃən/

Presumption

Meaning
an idea that is taken to be true without proof
Example
There is a presumption of innocence in the legal system.
B2 adjective /ˈpæsɪv/

passive

Meaning
not actively responding or participating; in grammar, denoting the voice in which the subject undergoes the action
Example
Instead of taking charge, he remained passive during the meeting.
B2 noun /prəˈvɪʒ.ən/

Provision

Meaning
supplies of food and other necessary things; arrangement or preparation
Example
The government made provision for emergency supplies during the flood.
C2 adjective /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/

picayune

Meaning
of little value or importance; trivial
Example
He complained about the picayune details of the contract.
B2 noun /pəˈræmɪtər/

parameter

Meaning
a limit, boundary, or measurable factor that defines or determines something
Example
We need to set clear parameters for this project.
C2 noun /prɪˈsɛʃən/

precession

Meaning
The slow movement of the axis of a spinning body around another axis, often referring to Earth's rotation.
Example
Astronomers study the precession of the equinoxes.
B1 adverb /ˈpɑrtli/

Partly

Meaning
to some extent; not completely; in part
Example
The weather was partly cloudy today.
C1 verb /pərˈteɪn/

pertain

Meaning
to relate or have reference to something
Example
The rules pertain to all students in the school.
A2 noun /ˈplen.ti/

Plenty

Meaning
a large or sufficient amount; abundance
Example
There is plenty of food for everyone at the party.
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.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈpæn.ɪ.ki/

Panicky

Meaning
feeling or showing panic; anxious and fearful
Example
The crowd became panicky when the fire alarm sounded.
C2 adjective /prəˈvaɪzəri/

provisory

Meaning
conditional; depending on certain terms being met
Example
The arrangement was only provisory until the final contract was signed.
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.
A1 noun /ˈpɛnsəl/

pencil

Meaning
an instrument for writing or drawing, typically made of wood with a graphite core
Example
He drew a picture with a pencil.
C2 noun /ˈpraɪəri/

priory

Meaning
a small monastery or convent governed by a prior or prioress
Example
The old priory was converted into a museum.
C1 verb /praɪ/

pry

Meaning
to look closely into something; to try to find out private information
Example
She tried to pry into her neighbor’s private life.
B2 noun /ˈpɜr.mə.nəns/

Permanence

Meaning
the state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely; enduring nature
Example
The permanence of the stone monument impressed all visitors.
C2 noun /ˌpɒl.iˈsɪl.ə.bəl/

polysyllable

Meaning
a word with more than one syllable
Example
The word 'elephant' is a polysyllable because it has three syllables.
C1 noun /ˌpærəfəˈneɪliə/

paraphernalia

Meaning
Miscellaneous articles, especially equipment needed for a particular activity.
Example
The fisherman carried all his fishing paraphernalia in a large box.
B2 noun /ˈpɪlər/

pillar

Meaning
a strong vertical support or mainstay of a structure or system
Example
The ancient temple was supported by massive stone pillars.
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.
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.