pretension
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C1 noun /prɪˈtɛnʃən/

pretension

Meaning
A claim or assertion to something, often without justification; an attempt to impress by showing greater importance or talent than is actually possessed.
Example
His pretension to be an expert was quickly exposed.
C1 adjective /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/

scathing

Meaning
severely critical; harshly scornful
Example
The critic wrote a scathing review of the movie.
C2 noun /əˈstɪɡmətɪzəm/

astigmatism

Meaning
An eye defect causing blurred vision due to irregular curvature of the cornea or lens.
Example
She wears glasses to correct her astigmatism.
B2 adverb /səˈfɪʃəntli/

sufficiently

Meaning
to an adequate degree or extent
Example
She studied sufficiently to pass the exam.
A2 noun /ˈnoʊ.tɪs/

Notice

Meaning
attention to something; a written or printed announcement
Example
The notice on the board announced the school closure.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈpoʊz/

discompose

Meaning
To disturb the order or calmness of something or someone.
Example
The unexpected question seemed to discompose her.
C1 adjective /ˌsekənd ˈreɪt/

second-rate

Meaning
Of mediocre or inferior quality.
Example
The movie was entertaining but clearly second-rate compared to the original.
C1 noun /ˈtjuːmʌlt/

tumult

Meaning
A loud, confused noise, especially caused by a crowd; commotion or disorder.
Example
The protest created a tumult in the city square.
B2 adjective ˈɡluːmi

gloomy

Meaning
Dark or poorly lit; depressing or pessimistic.
Example
The atmosphere suddenly turned gloomy.
C1 noun /ˈdeɪ.ə.ti/

deity

Meaning
a god or goddess
Example
The temple is dedicated to a Hindu deity.
A2 adjective /rɪtʃ/

Rich

Meaning
having a lot of money or valuable possessions; abundant in nutrients or flavor
Example
The rich businessman donated money to the charity.
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.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
C2 noun /kəˈlɒsəti/

callosity

Meaning
A thickened or hardened area of skin; insensitivity or hardness of character.
Example
Years of manual labor left callosity on his hands.
C2 adjective /sɪˈdɪʃəs/

seditious

Meaning
Encouraging rebellion against authority.
Example
The activist spread seditious pamphlets among the crowd.
C1 noun/verb ˈfɒr.ɪdʒ

forage

Meaning
Food for horses and cattle, especially dried hay or feed; to search for food.
Example
Animals forage for food during the winter months.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪˌliːtər/

centiliter

Meaning
A metric unit of capacity equal to one hundredth of a liter.
Example
The recipe calls for 20 centiliters of milk.
A2 adverb /ˌɛniˈmɔr/

anymore

Meaning
used to refer to the present time, typically to mean no longer
Example
He doesn’t live here anymore.
B2 adjective/noun /ˈmaɪ.nər/

minor

Meaning
less important, serious, or significant; a person under the legal age
Example
Luckily, the accident caused only minor injuries.
C1 noun /dɪˈstɔːrʃən/

distortion

Meaning
the action of twisting, changing, or misrepresenting the shape, sound, or truth of something
Example
There was a distortion in the radio signal.
C1 noun /ˈkæn.ɪ.bəl/

Cannibal

Meaning
a person who eats the flesh of other human beings
Example
The explorer's journal described rumors of cannibals living on the remote island.
C2 adjective ˈtɛnsaɪl

tensile

Meaning
Relating to tension; capable of being stretched.
Example
The tensile strength of the material is crucial for the construction project.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnbɪˈliːvɪŋ/

unbelieving

Meaning
Not willing or able to believe; skeptical or doubtful
Example
She gave him an unbelieving look when he claimed to have met a celebrity.
B2 noun /ˌveəriˈeɪʃən/

Variation

Meaning
a change or difference in condition, amount, or level; a different or distinct form or version of something
Example
There was a significant variation in temperature throughout the day.
C1 verb /rɪˈklaɪn/

recline

Meaning
To lean or lie back in a relaxed position.
Example
She reclined on the sofa with a book.
B1 noun/verb /skeɪl/

scale

Meaning
A system of ordered marks used for measurement; also means to climb or to adjust in size.
Example
The company plans to scale its operations globally.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪb.jə.ter.i/

Tributary

Meaning
a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake
Example
The tributary joins the main river near the city.
C2 noun /ˌɛərəˈstætɪks/

aerostatics

Meaning
The branch of physics that deals with the equilibrium of air and gases and the forces acting on bodies in them.
Example
Aerostatics is essential for understanding how balloons float.
B2 verb, noun, adjective /flʌʃ/

flush

Meaning
to become red in the face, usually from embarrassment, heat, or excitement; to clean something with a flow of water
Example
She flushed with embarrassment when she realized her mistake.
C2 noun /niːp/

neap

Meaning
A tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when the difference between high and low tide is least.
Example
During a neap tide, the water level change is minimal.
C1 noun /ˈkɑːrkəs/

carcass

Meaning
the dead body of an animal, especially after being slaughtered
Example
Vultures fed on the carcass left in the field.
A2 verb /ˈkʌvər/

cover

Meaning
to put something over or upon something else to protect or conceal
Example
Please cover the food to keep it fresh.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋ/

Exceeding

Meaning
going beyond; surpassing; extremely
Example
The project was completed with exceeding excellence.
B2 noun /ˈwɜːrkˌfɔːrs/

workforce

Meaning
the people engaged in or available for work
Example
The company is looking to expand its workforce by 20%.
C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning
Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.
Example
Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.
A1 verb /send/

send

Meaning
to cause something to go or be taken to a particular destination; to transmit
Example
I will send you an email with the details.
B2 noun /rɪˈsɛs/

recess

Meaning
A short break from work or school; also a small space set back in a wall.
Example
The children played outside during recess.
C1 verb /ɪˈvɪkt/

evict

Meaning
To expel someone from a property, usually by legal process.
Example
The landlord decided to evict the tenants for not paying rent.
C2 verb /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪt/

discombobulate

Meaning
to confuse or disconcert; to upset the normal order
Example
The sudden question seemed to discombobulate him.
B1 noun /ˈsteɪtəs/

status

Meaning
the social or professional position or condition of someone or something
Example
His social status improved after the promotion.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tjʊ.mə.si/

contumacy

Meaning
stubborn refusal to obey authority
Example
His contumacy led to his suspension from the council.
C2 noun /kwiːn kreɪp ˈmɜːrtəl/

Queen crape myrtle

Meaning
A flowering tree with colorful, crepe-like flowers, scientifically known as Lagerstroemia
Example
The Queen crape myrtle bloomed beautifully in the garden with its purple flowers.
A1 preposition /ɪn ˈfrʌnt əv/

in front of

Meaning
positioned before or ahead of something; facing or located at the forward side of a person or object
Example
She stood in front of the building.
B1 noun ˈɪn.də.stri

industry

Meaning
Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories.
Example
The industry focuses on luxury experiences.
C2 adjective /ɡlɪb/

glib

Meaning
speaking easily but without sincerity or depth
Example
The politician gave a glib answer to a serious question.
C1 noun /fəˌsɪlɪˈteɪʃən/

facilitation

Meaning
The action of facilitating or making an action or process easier or helping bring about an outcome.
Example
Her facilitation made the meeting run smoothly.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmʌndeɪn/

ultramundane

Meaning
Relating to things beyond the physical world; supernatural or transcendental.
Example
Philosophers often discuss ultramundane realities beyond human perception.
C2 noun /ˌlɪk.wəˈfeɪ.ʃənt/

liquefacient

Meaning
a substance that causes something to become liquid
Example
The chemist explained how the liquefacient worked in the experiment.
C2 adjective /ˈɛksplɪkəbəl/

explicable

Meaning
able to be explained or understood
Example
His sudden anger was explicable given the stressful situation.
B2 noun /spaɪn/

Spine

Meaning
the backbone or vertebral column of a vertebrate; the central support of a structure
Example
She injured her spine in the accident.
C2 noun /ˌriːkəˌpɪtjʊˈleɪʃən/

recapitulation

Meaning
The act of summarizing or repeating the main points of something.
Example
The professor gave a brief recapitulation of the lecture before ending the class.
A2 verb /hæŋ/

hang

Meaning
to suspend or be suspended from above; to attach from a higher point
Example
I hang my coat on the hook.
C2 verb /pɑːrtʃ/

parch

Meaning
to make something extremely dry, especially by exposure to heat
Example
The scorching sun began to parch the fields.
A1 verb /ˈwɔːtər/

water

Meaning
to give water to plants or animals; to irrigate
Example
She waters the plants every morning.
C1 adjective /ˈbeɪs.ləs/

Baseless

Meaning
without foundation; groundless; unfounded
Example
The accusations against him were completely baseless.
A2 noun /ˈkælɪndər/

calendar

Meaning
a system for organizing days, months, and years; a chart showing days of the year
Example
She marked her birthday on the calendar.
C2 verb ˈlev.ɪ.teɪ.tɪŋ

levitating

Meaning
Rising and hovering in the air, especially as a result of supernatural or magical power.
Example
The levitating structure is an engineering marvel.
A1 adjective /fɑːst/

Fast

Meaning
moving or happening quickly; rapid; swift
Example
She runs very fast in the morning.
A2 noun ˈprɒdʒekt

project

Meaning
An individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim
Example
Working on two projects simultaneously is difficult.
A2 noun ˈbræntʃɪz

Branches

Meaning
A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk or from a bough.
Example
Family tree branches show the relationship between family members.
B2 noun /ˈbɒdiɡɑːrd/

bodyguard

Meaning
a person employed to protect someone from harm
Example
The celebrity arrived with her bodyguard.
C2 noun /ˈhænd ˌrɪŋɪŋ/

hand-wringing

Meaning
excessive worry or concern expressed in a visible or dramatic way.
Example
There was much hand-wringing over the political crisis.
C1 verb /ɡreɪt/

grate

Meaning
to shred food into small pieces using a grater; to irritate or annoy
Example
She grated the cheese for the pasta dish.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈθroʊ/

overthrow

Meaning
To remove a leader or government from power, often by force.
Example
The rebels planned to overthrow the corrupt regime.
C2 adjective /ˌmɔːrɡəˈnætɪk/

morganatic

Meaning
relating to a marriage in which one partner, usually of lower social rank, does not share the titles or privileges of the other
Example
The prince entered into a morganatic marriage with a commoner.
C1 noun /daɪˈvɜː.dʒəns/

divergence

Meaning
The process or state of diverging; a difference or deviation between two or more things.
Example
The divergence in their opinions led to a heated debate.
C2 noun /ˈzaɪtɡaɪst/

zeitgeist

Meaning
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
Example
The novel perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s.
C2 noun /ˈlɪniəmənt/

lineament

Meaning
A distinctive feature or characteristic, especially of the face.
Example
Her delicate lineaments revealed her noble birth.
B2 adjective kɒnˈtek.stju.əl

contextual

Meaning
Depending on or relating to the circumstances or setting; context-dependent.
Example
Contextual meaning changes depending on usage.
B1 adverb /ˈðɛərˌfɔr/

Therefore

Meaning
for that reason; consequently
Example
It was raining, therefore we stayed inside.
C1 adjective /ˈdaʊn.kæst/

downcast

Meaning
feeling sad, dejected, or with lowered eyes
Example
He looked downcast after hearing the bad news.
B2 verb /ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv/

misbehave

Meaning
to behave badly or inappropriately; to act in an unacceptable way
Example
The children misbehaved during the school assembly.
C2 verb /ˈsɛreɪt/

serrate

Meaning
To make a saw-toothed edge or notched margin.
Example
The craftsman serrated the knife blade for better cutting.
C1 noun ˌkæp.ɪ.təl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

capitalization

Meaning
The total market value of a company's shares or the provision of capital for a company or activity.
Example
The company's capitalization reached $1 billion in market value.
A2 noun /drʌɡ/

drug

Meaning
a substance used as a medicine or an illegal addictive substance
Example
The doctor prescribed a new drug for the illness.
C2 verb /priːˈfɪɡjər/

prefigure

Meaning
to represent, show, or foreshadow something in advance
Example
The economic reforms prefigure major social changes.
C1 noun /ˈdʒuː.və.naɪl/

Juvenile

Meaning
a young person below the age of adult criminal responsibility; relating to young people
Example
The juvenile court handles cases involving young offenders under eighteen.
B1 verb /bɜːrst/

burst

Meaning
to break open suddenly; to be full of something
Example
The balloon bursts with a loud pop.
B1 adjective /ˈjuːnɪfɔːrm/

Uniform

Meaning
consistent; identical; standardized
Example
All students must wear a uniform to school.
B1 noun /ˈkætl/

cattle

Meaning
large domesticated animals such as cows and bulls that are kept on a farm for their milk, meat, or hides
Example
The farmer owns a herd of cattle that graze near the river.
B1 noun /paɪp/

pipe

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

opportune

Meaning
Happening at a suitable or convenient time.
Example
She arrived at an opportune moment to help.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈwɪtɪŋ/

unwitting

Meaning
Not aware of what is happening; done without realizing.
Example
She became an unwitting participant in the scam.
C2 adjective /ˈkɑːrnəl/

carnal

Meaning
Relating to physical, especially sexual, desires and appetites.
Example
The book explores the conflict between spiritual and carnal desires.
C1 adverb /ˈɪnwərdli/

inwardly

Meaning
In the mind or spirit; not outwardly visible.
Example
She smiled outwardly but inwardly she was worried.
C2 adjective /ˈʌŋk.tʃu.əs/

unctuous

Meaning
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily in texture.
Example
His unctuous tone made everyone uncomfortable.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈæn.ju.eɪt/

superannuate

Meaning
to retire someone with a pension, usually due to age or long service
Example
The company decided to superannuate its senior employees after thirty years of service.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/

Indecisive

Meaning
unable to make decisions quickly; hesitant; wavering
Example
She was indecisive about which university to attend.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkɒŋɡruənt/

incongruent

Meaning
Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects.
Example
His casual outfit looked incongruent at the formal dinner.
C1 adjective ɪnɪɡˈzɔːstɪbəl

inexhaustible

Meaning
Unable to be used up or worn out; limitless.
Example
His inexhaustible energy allowed him to work tirelessly on his projects.
C1 noun /ˈɡreɪdiənt/

gradient

Meaning
A gradual slope, or the degree of inclination of a surface.
Example
The cyclist struggled up the steep gradient of the hill.
B1 adjective /ˈtʃɪli/

chilly

Meaning
uncomfortably or unpleasantly cold
Example
It was a chilly morning in December.
A2 adverb /æz ˈjuː.ʒu.əl/

As usual

Meaning
in the way that is normal or typical; customarily
Example
As usual, he arrived late to the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈsɪblɪŋ/

sibling

Meaning
A brother or sister.
Example
She has three siblings, two brothers and one sister.
B2 noun /ˈmɪnərəl/

mineral

Meaning
a naturally occurring substance that is solid and inorganic, often used in industry or nutrition
Example
Calcium is an important mineral for strong bones.
C1 adjective /ˈɔː.də.bəl/

Audible

Meaning
able to be heard; loud enough to hear
Example
The speaker's voice was barely audible from the back of the large hall.
B1 verb /briːð/

breathe

Meaning
To take air into the lungs and send it out again.
Example
It was hard to breathe in the smoky room.
C2 noun /ˈpær.əkˌsɪz.əm/

paroxysm

Meaning
A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or activity.
Example
She was seized by a paroxysm of laughter.
A2 noun /koʊtʃ/

coach

Meaning
A person who helps improve others' skills or knowledge.
Example
The football coach motivated his team before the match.
C2 adjective /ˈmʌnid/

Moneyed

Meaning
having much money; wealthy; rich
Example
She comes from a moneyed family with extensive real estate holdings.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.raɪt.nəs/

Uprightness

Meaning
the quality of being honest and morally correct; integrity
Example
His uprightness in business dealings earned him great respect.
B2 noun /ˈdreɪ.nɪdʒ/

drainage

Meaning
the system or process by which water or other liquids are drained away
Example
Poor drainage caused flooding in the neighborhood.
A2 noun /dɪˈskʌʃən/

discussion

Meaning
The action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or share ideas.
Example
The project needs more discussion before moving forward.
C1 noun /pərˈkʌʃən/

percussion

Meaning
Musical instruments that are played by striking, shaking, or scraping, such as drums or cymbals.
Example
The percussion section added rhythm and energy to the orchestra.
C1 noun /ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑːrki/

oligarchy

Meaning
A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.
Example
The nation was ruled by a wealthy oligarchy that controlled all resources.
C2 noun /ɪnˈkʌmbrəns/

encumbrance

Meaning
a burden or obstacle that makes progress or movement difficult
Example
Debt can become a serious encumbrance in life.
C1 noun /ˌdʒʊə.rɪsˈdɪk.ʃən/

Jurisdiction

Meaning
the official power to make legal decisions and judgments; the extent of this power
Example
This case falls under the jurisdiction of the federal court.
A2 noun /ˈbjuː.ti/

Beauty

Meaning
the quality of being pleasing to look at; attractiveness
Example
The beauty of the sunset took my breath away.
B2 noun /ˈkætəlɔːɡ/

catalog

Meaning
a complete list of items, typically arranged systematically
Example
The library provides an online catalog of all available books.
B1 noun kəˈmɪt.mənt

commitment

Meaning
A promise or firm decision to do something; the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity.
Example
The president reaffirmed his commitment to environmental protection.
B1 verb /pɔːr/

pour

Meaning
to flow or cause to flow in a steady stream; to rain heavily
Example
Please pour the water into the glass carefully.
C2 adjective /ˈdɪsənənt/

dissonant

Meaning
Harsh and lacking harmony; conflicting.
Example
The orchestra produced a dissonant sound during rehearsal.
A2 noun /ˈæmbjʊləns/

ambulance

Meaning
A specially equipped vehicle used to transport sick or injured people to the hospital.
Example
The ambulance rushed to the accident site within minutes.
C1 noun /twɪndʒ/

twinge

Meaning
a sudden, sharp pain or an emotional pang
Example
He felt a twinge of guilt after lying to his friend.
C2 noun /ˌɛmjʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

emulation

Meaning
Reproducing something or following someone to achieve success.
Example
The software allows the emulation of old video games on modern devices.
C2 noun /ˈnaɪɪˌlɪzəm/

nihilism

Meaning
The rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.
Example
The philosopher was criticized for promoting nihilism.
C1 noun /ˈviːəməns/

Vehemence

Meaning
great forcefulness or intensity of feeling or expression; passionate conviction
Example
He argued with such vehemence that everyone was surprised.
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.
A1 noun /ˈæp.əl/

Apple

Meaning
a round fruit with red, green, or yellow skin and white flesh
Example
I eat an apple every day for breakfast.
A2 noun /drʌm/

Drum

Meaning
a percussion instrument typically made of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched over one or both ends
Example
The drummer kept perfect time on his drum kit.
B2 verb /fraʊn/

frown

Meaning
to wrinkle one's brow in displeasure or concentration
Example
She frowned when she heard the bad news.