quicken
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C1 verb /ˈkwɪkən/

quicken

Meaning
to make or become faster; to accelerate
Example
His pulse began to quicken as he approached the finish line.
C1 noun (plural) /kwɑːmz/

qualms

Meaning
feelings of doubt, worry, or uneasiness
Example
He had serious qualms about accepting the offer.
B1 noun /kjuː/

Queue

Meaning
a line of people or things waiting for something; a sequence
Example
We had to wait in a long queue to buy tickets for the movie.
B2 noun /kwəʊˈteɪʃən/

quotation

Meaning
a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated exactly; an estimated price given for goods or services
Example
The article opened with a famous quotation from Shakespeare.
C1 verb /ˈkwentʃɪŋ/

quenching

Meaning
The act of satisfying thirst or extinguishing something like fire.
Example
Drinking cold water was quenching her thirst.
C2 adjective /kwɪkˈsɑː.t̬ɪk/

quixotic

Meaning
Extremely idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical.
Example
His quixotic dreams often led to disappointment.
B1 noun /ˈkwɔː.tər/

Quarter

Meaning
one of four equal parts of something; a period of three months
Example
The company reported strong profits in the first quarter of the year.
C1 noun /kwæk/

Quack

Meaning
a person who pretends to be a doctor but has no medical training; the sound a duck makes
Example
People should be careful not to trust medical advice from a quack.
A2 adverb /kwaɪt/

Quite

Meaning
to a considerable extent; fairly; rather; completely
Example
The movie was quite interesting.
A2 noun /kwiːn/

queen

Meaning
a female ruler of a country or the wife of a king
Example
The queen addressed her people with grace.
B2 noun /ˈkwɔː.tərz/

Quarters

Meaning
living accommodation; lodgings; military housing
Example
The soldiers returned to their quarters after the training exercise.
C1 adjective /ˈkwɑː.rəl.səm/

Quarrelsome

Meaning
given to arguing and fighting; argumentative and confrontational
Example
His quarrelsome nature makes it difficult to work with him.
C2 noun /ˌkiː ˈviːv/

qui vive

Meaning
A state of alertness or vigilance.
Example
The guards were on the qui vive during the night.
B2 noun /kwest/

Quest

Meaning
a journey or search for something; an adventure to achieve a goal
Example
The knight embarked on a quest to find the legendary treasure.
A2 noun ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti

quality

Meaning
The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.
Example
Quality assurance is vital in medical education.
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.
C1 noun/verb /kwɪp/

quip

Meaning
A witty remark; to make a witty or clever comment.
Example
She quipped about the weather during the meeting.
B2 verb /kweɪk/

quake

Meaning
to shake or tremble, often due to fear or a natural event like an earthquake
Example
The ground began to quake during the earthquake.
C2 noun kwɔːrk

quark

Meaning
A fundamental subatomic particle that combines to form protons and neutrons.
Example
Quarks form protons and neutrons.
B2 noun/verb /ˈkwɒr.ən.tiːn/

quarantine

Meaning
A period of isolation to prevent the spread of disease.
Example
The travelers were placed in quarantine for two weeks.
B2 adjective /ˈkwɜːrki/

quirky

Meaning
Unusual in an interesting, charming, or odd way.
Example
She has a quirky sense of fashion that makes her stand out.
B1 noun /ˈkwɒn.tə.ti/

Quantity

Meaning
an amount or number of something; the measurable property of something
Example
The quantity of water in the bottle is sufficient for the trip.
C1 verb, noun /kweɪl/

quail

Meaning
verb: to feel or show fear; noun: a small, short-tailed bird
Example
She quailed at the sight of the approaching storm.
A2 verb /kwɪt/

quit

Meaning
to stop doing something; to leave a job or position
Example
She decided to quit her job and start her own business.
C1 noun /kiː/

quay

Meaning
A platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.
Example
The cargo was unloaded at the quay.
C2 noun /ˈkwɒdrʊpɛd/

quadruped

Meaning
an animal that walks on four feet
Example
Most mammals are quadruped creatures adapted for running and stability.
B2 noun /ˈkwɒr.əl/

Quarrel

Meaning
an angry argument or disagreement between people
Example
They had a quarrel about money and stopped talking to each other.
B2 noun /ˌkwes.tʃəˈneər/

questionnaire

Meaning
a set of written questions used to collect information or opinions
Example
Participants filled out a detailed questionnaire about their habits.
C1 noun /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/

quintessence

Meaning
The purest or most perfect example of something.
Example
She is the quintessence of elegance.
C1 noun /kwɑːm/

qualm

Meaning
a feeling of doubt, worry, or fear about something
Example
She had no qualm about speaking her mind.
C2 verb, noun /ˈkweɪvər/

quaver

Meaning
To shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion.
Example
Her voice quavered as she spoke before the crowd.
C1 verb /kwentʃ/

quench

Meaning
to satisfy thirst by drinking; to extinguish fire
Example
He drank water to quench his thirst after the long run.
C1 noun /kwɔːrˈtɛt/

quartet

Meaning
A group of four people playing music or singing together.
Example
The string quartet performed beautifully at the concert.
C1 adjective /ˈkwiːzi/

queasy

Meaning
Feeling sick to one's stomach; nauseated.
Example
She felt queasy after the long boat ride.
B1 noun /ˌkwɒl.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

Qualification

Meaning
official record showing that someone has finished a training course or has necessary skills; condition or requirement
Example
She has the right qualifications for this engineering job.
C2 noun /kwɪˈɛsəns/

quiescence

Meaning
A state of quietness, inactivity, or dormancy.
Example
The volcano has been in a state of quiescence for decades.
C2 verb /kwɒf/

quaff

Meaning
to drink something heartily or in large gulps, especially an alcoholic drink
Example
He quaffed a mug of ale after the long day.
A1 adverb /ˈkwɪk.li/

Quickly

Meaning
at a fast speed; with little delay; rapidly
Example
He quickly finished his homework.
C1 verb /ˈkwɪvər/

quiver

Meaning
To tremble or shake with slight but rapid motion.
Example
Her lips began to quiver as she tried not to cry.
C1 verb/noun /ˈkwɪbəl/

quibble

Meaning
To argue or raise objections about a trivial matter; a petty objection.
Example
They quibbled over who should pay the bill.
C1 noun/verb /ˈkwɒr.i/

quarry

Meaning
A place where stone or minerals are extracted; also means prey when hunted.
Example
The workers quarried limestone from the hill.
B2 noun ˈkwɒlɪti sliːp

quality sleep

Meaning
Deep and healthy sleep that is adequate and restorative, ensuring physical and mental well-being
Example
Quality sleep improves cognitive function and overall health.
B1 verb /ˈkwɒlɪfaɪ/

qualify

Meaning
to successfully complete a course or pass an exam; to become eligible
Example
She worked hard to qualify for the competition.
C1 noun /ˈkwɪk.sænd/

Quick-sand

Meaning
loose wet sand that yields easily to pressure and sucks in anything on its surface
Example
The explorer got trapped in quicksand while crossing the desert.
C1 adjective /kwɪər/

Queer

Meaning
strange; unusual; peculiar; odd
Example
The old house had a queer atmosphere that made visitors uncomfortable.
C2 adjective /kwəʊˈtɪdiən/

quotidian

Meaning
Ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane.
Example
He focused on the quotidian details of family life.
C1 noun /ˈkwæɡˌmaɪər/

quagmire

Meaning
a soft, wet area of land that gives way underfoot; a complex or dangerous situation
Example
The hikers were trapped in a political quagmire.
C1 verb /kwɑːʃ/

quash

Meaning
To reject or void something legally or to put an end to something forcefully.
Example
The court quashed the decision due to lack of evidence.
B2 adjective /ˈkwestʃənəbl/

Questionable

Meaning
doubtful; dubious; suspicious; open to doubt or suspicion
Example
His questionable business practices led to an investigation.
B1 adjective /ˈkwɑː.lɪ.faɪd/

Qualified

Meaning
having the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience for a particular job or activity; certified
Example
She is a qualified doctor with years of experience.
C1 adjective ˈkwɒn.tɪ.faɪ.ə.bəl

quantifiable

Meaning
Able to be expressed or measured as a quantity; capable of being counted or calculated.
Example
The impact of the project is quantifiable.
B2 noun /ˈkwɪə.ri/

Query

Meaning
a question or inquiry; a request for information
Example
I have a query about the new policy changes in the company.
C1 noun /ˈkwɔːrəm/

quorum

Meaning
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business in a meeting.
Example
The board meeting was postponed because there was no quorum.
C2 noun /kwaɪˈiːtəs/

Quietus

Meaning
death or something that causes death; a final settlement
Example
The hero received his quietus from the villain's sword.
B2 noun /kwɪlt/

Quilt

Meaning
a warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric
Example
Grandmother made a beautiful quilt with colorful patches for my bed.
B2 adjective /ˈkwɔːrtərli/

Quarterly

Meaning
occurring every three months; relating to a quarter of a year
Example
The company publishes quarterly reports to shareholders.
C1 noun /kwɪnˈtɛt/

quintet

Meaning
A group of five people or things, especially musicians.
Example
The jazz quintet performed beautifully.
B2 adjective /ˈkwɑː.lɪ.teɪ.tɪv/

Qualitative

Meaning
relating to quality or character rather than quantity; descriptive rather than numerical
Example
The research focuses on qualitative analysis rather than numbers.
B1 verb /kwoʊt/

quote

Meaning
to repeat someone else's words; to give a price or estimate
Example
The teacher asked students to quote the famous author in their essays.
C1 noun /kwɜːrk/

Quirk

Meaning
a peculiar behavioral habit; an unexpected turn or twist
Example
Her quirk of always wearing mismatched socks made her unique.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvər/

quicksilver

Meaning
Mercury; a liquid metal, or something that is quick and unpredictable.
Example
His mood was as changeable as quicksilver.
C2 noun /ˈkwɔːrtoʊ/

quarto

Meaning
A book size resulting from folding each printed sheet into four leaves (eight pages).
Example
The library has rare Shakespeare quartos.
C1 adjective ˌkwɪn.tɪˈsen.ʃəl

quintessential

Meaning
representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
Example
The artist's work is the quintessential example of modernism.
B2 noun /ˈkwɔːtərˌbæk/

quarterback

Meaning
the player who directs a team’s offense in American football
Example
The quarterback threw a perfect pass.
A1 noun /ˈkwes.tʃən/

Question

Meaning
a sentence asking for information or a response; an interrogative expression
Example
The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.
C1 adjective /ˈkwɪzɪkəl/

quizzical

Meaning
Expressing mild or amused puzzlement.
Example
She gave him a quizzical look when he made the strange comment.
C2 noun /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/

quisling

Meaning
A traitor who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country.
Example
During the war, he was branded a quisling for aiding the invaders.
B2 noun ˈkwəʊ.tə

quota

Meaning
A limited or fixed number or amount of people or things, in particular.
Example
The quota reform was a key demand.
C1 noun /kwoʊ/

quo

Meaning
The existing state of affairs or situation, often used in the phrase 'status quo'.
Example
He wanted to maintain the status quo at work.
C1 adjective /kweɪnt/

quaint

Meaning
attractively unusual or old-fashioned
Example
They stayed in a quaint little cottage by the sea.
C2 adjective /kwaɪˈesnt/

Quiescent

Meaning
quiet; peaceful; inactive; dormant; at rest
Example
The volcano has been quiescent for over a century.
C2 noun /ˈkwaɪəˌtuːd/

quietude

Meaning
A state of stillness and tranquility.
Example
She enjoys the quietude of the countryside.
C1 adjective /ˈkwɑː.drʊ.pəl/

Quadruple

Meaning
four times as much or as many; consisting of four parts
Example
The company's profits have shown quadruple growth this year.
A2 adjective /ˈkwaɪ.ɪt/

Quiet

Meaning
silent; peaceful; calm; making little or no noise
Example
Please keep quiet during the movie.
C2 adjective /ˈkwɒdreɪt/

quadrate

Meaning
square or nearly square; having four sides or being suited or corresponding to something
Example
The tiles had a neat quadrate shape that made the floor look orderly.
A2 adverb /ˈkwaɪ.ət.li/

Quietly

Meaning
without making much noise; silently; in a calm manner
Example
She spoke quietly so she wouldn't wake the baby.
C1 noun /ˈkwɒn.dər.i/

Quandary

Meaning
a difficult situation where you cannot decide what to do; dilemma
Example
She was in a quandary about which job offer to accept.
C2 adjective /ˈkwɛrʊləs/

querulous

Meaning
Complaining in a whining or irritable manner.
Example
The querulous customer kept finding fault with every detail.
B1 noun /ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti taɪm/

quality time

Meaning
Time spent giving someone your full attention in order to strengthen your relationship with them.
Example
Spending quality time with family enhances relationships.
C1 verb /kwɛl/

quell

Meaning
To suppress or put an end to something, usually by force.
Example
The police were called to quell the violent protest.
A1 adjective /kwɪk/

Quick

Meaning
fast; rapid; swift; happening in a short time
Example
She gave a quick answer to the teacher's question.
B2 adjective /ˈkwɑːn.tɪ.teɪ.tɪv/

Quantitative

Meaning
relating to quantity or amount; expressed in terms of numbers or measurements
Example
The study provides quantitative evidence of climate change effects.