railroad
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B1 noun /ˈreɪlˌroʊd/

railroad

Meaning
a track or system of tracks made of steel rails along which trains run
Example
The railroad connects the city to several nearby towns.
C1 adjective /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/

Biting

Meaning
extremely cold; sharply critical or harsh
Example
The biting cold made everyone shiver.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌfɑːðər/

forefather

Meaning
an ancestor, especially one who was part of an earlier generation of a family or nation
Example
Our forefathers fought for independence.
C2 noun /paɪər/

pyre

Meaning
A heap of combustible material, especially one used for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
Example
The villagers built a pyre to honor the deceased.
B2 noun /ˈsɑːrˌkæzəm/

sarcasm

Meaning
The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
Example
His sarcasm often made people laugh but sometimes offended them.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈhɜːrt/

unhurt

Meaning
Not injured or harmed.
Example
She walked away from the accident unhurt.
A1 adjective /ˈdɪf.ər.ənt/

different

Meaning
Not the same as another; distinct or unlike.
Example
Her opinion was completely different from mine.
C2 noun /θroʊz/

throes

Meaning
intense or violent pain and struggle, often at the beginning or end of something
Example
The country was in the throes of a political crisis.
B2 noun /ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm/

mechanism

Meaning
A system of parts working together in a machine; a process or technique for achieving something.
Example
The mechanism of the clock stopped working after years of use.
B2 noun /ˈɛdʒuˌkeɪtər/

educator

Meaning
a person who provides education; a teacher or instructor
Example
She is a dedicated educator who inspires her students every day.
C2 adjective /vɪˈtjuːpərətɪv/

vituperative

Meaning
Characterized by abusive or harsh language.
Example
The teacher’s vituperative remarks left the students in tears.
A1 verb /kʌt/

cut

Meaning
to divide or separate with a sharp tool
Example
I cut the paper with scissors.
A2 adverb /ˈsɜː.tən.li/

Certainly

Meaning
without doubt; definitely; used to agree or give permission
Example
I will certainly help you with this project.
B1 noun /əˈpɪn.jən/

Opinion

Meaning
a view or judgment formed about something; a belief or assessment based on grounds short of proof
Example
In my opinion, this is the best solution.
A1 adjective /dɑːk/

Dark

Meaning
having little or no light; of a deep shade approaching black
Example
She prefers dark colors for her winter clothes.
A2 noun /ˈpækɪdʒ/

package

Meaning
a container or wrapping in which something is packed
Example
He received a package in the mail.
C1 adjective /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/

gratuitous

Meaning
Unnecessary, unwarranted, or given freely without reason or cause.
Example
The movie was criticized for its gratuitous violence.
C2 noun /muˈleθi/

Mulethi

Meaning
licorice root, a sweet-tasting herb used in traditional medicine and cooking
Example
She prepared a herbal tea with mulethi to soothe her sore throat.
B2 adjective; past participle /ˈɒnəd/

honoured

Meaning
treated with respect or distinction; feeling proud and privileged
Example
She felt deeply honoured to receive the award.
C2 adjective /kəˈmɛnʃərət/

commensurate

Meaning
corresponding in size, degree, or extent; proportionate
Example
Salary will be commensurate with experience.
C1 adjective /ˌdɪktəˈtɔːriəl/

dictatorial

Meaning
Having or showing a tendency to tell people what to do in an autocratic way.
Example
His dictatorial style made him unpopular among colleagues.
C2 verb /bɪˈweɪl/

bewail

Meaning
to express deep sorrow or regret over something; to mourn openly
Example
She bewailed the loss of her childhood home.
C1 noun /ˈæntənɪm/

antonym

Meaning
A word opposite in meaning to another.
Example
‘Hot’ is the antonym of ‘cold’.
C2 noun /krəˈdjuːlɪti/

credulity

Meaning
A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
Example
The scam succeeded because of the victim's credulity.
C2 verb /dɪˈsɛvər/

dissever

Meaning
To separate or cut apart.
Example
The treaty sought to dissever the two hostile regions.
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.
A2 preposition/conjunction /ɪkˈsɛpt/

except

Meaning
not including; other than
Example
Everyone was invited except John.
C2 noun /ˌpɑːrtjʊˈrɪʃən/

parturition

Meaning
The act of giving birth; childbirth.
Example
The doctor explained the stages of parturition to the students.
B2 noun /ɡriːd/

Greed

Meaning
intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food
Example
His greed for money led him to make unethical business decisions.
A1 numeral /θriː/

three

Meaning
the number equivalent to the sum of two and one
Example
She has three dogs at home.
C1 adjective /ɪˈledʒ.ə.bəl/

illegible

Meaning
Not clear enough to be read; unreadable.
Example
The doctor’s handwriting was almost illegible.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdem.nə.ti/

Indemnity

Meaning
security or protection against a loss or other financial burden; compensation for damage or loss
Example
The insurance company provided full indemnity for the damages caused by the flood.
B2 noun /ˈækni/

acne

Meaning
a skin condition in which pores become inflamed and clogged, causing pimples and spots
Example
Regular cleansing and a balanced diet can help reduce acne.
B2 adjective /ˈsɛntɪɡreɪd/

centigrade

Meaning
Relating to the Celsius temperature scale, where water freezes at 0° and boils at 100°.
Example
The weather forecast predicted 30 degrees centigrade.
C1 adjective /ˈsted.fæst/

Steadfast

Meaning
firm in belief, determination, or adherence; unwavering
Example
She remained steadfast in her commitment to helping the poor.
B2 noun /dɪsˈkʌmfərt/

discomfort

Meaning
A feeling of slight pain, unease, or awkwardness.
Example
She shifted in her chair due to discomfort in her back.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈkuːθ/

uncouth

Meaning
Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace; awkward or rough.
Example
His uncouth behavior shocked the guests at the party.
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.
B2 verb /ˈwiːkən/

Weaken

Meaning
to make or become less strong or powerful
Example
The illness weakened his immune system significantly.
C1 verb /kənˈstrɪkt/

constrict

Meaning
to make narrower or tighter; to shrink or compress
Example
The snake constricted its prey before swallowing.
C2 verb /bɪˈtəʊkən/

betoken

Meaning
to be a sign or indication of something
Example
Dark clouds betoken an approaching storm.
B2 verb /ɪˈvoʊk/

evoke

Meaning
to bring a feeling, memory, or image into the mind
Example
The old song evoked memories of her childhood.
B2 verb /buːm/

boom

Meaning
to make a loud deep sound; to grow or increase rapidly
Example
The thunder boomed across the sky.
B2 noun ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən

sanitation

Meaning
Conditions relating to public health, especially the provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.
Example
Good sanitation practices are key to preventing infestations.
C2 verb /ˈmɒrəlaɪz/

moralize

Meaning
To comment on issues of right and wrong, often with an air of superiority.
Example
He tends to moralize about other people's choices.
C1 verb /dʒæb/

jab

Meaning
To poke or thrust quickly, often with a finger or something pointed.
Example
He jabbed his finger at the map to show the location.
C1 adjective /əˈfɜːrmətɪv/

affirmative

Meaning
expressing agreement, approval, or a positive response
Example
She gave an affirmative answer to the proposal.
A1 pronoun /ðɪs/

this

Meaning
used to refer to a person or thing that is close or near in space, time, or thought
Example
This is my favorite book.
A2 noun /ˈsɒkər/

soccer

Meaning
a sport in which two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opposing goal
Example
He loves to play soccer with his friends.
B2 adjective /ˈtæn.dʒɪ.bəl/

tangible

Meaning
Perceptible by touch; clear and definite; real.
Example
The benefits of exercise are tangible and measurable.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪk.əl/

Fickle

Meaning
changeable; inconstant; liable to sudden unpredictable change
Example
His fickle nature made it hard to trust his promises.
C1 noun /ˈɛləkwəns/

eloquence

Meaning
Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.
Example
His eloquence in speech won him great respect.
C1 noun /krəˈnɒlədʒi/

chronology

Meaning
The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.
Example
The chronology of the dynasty was carefully studied by historians.
B2 noun ˈɡloʊbəl ɪˈnɪʃətɪvz

global initiatives

Meaning
Worldwide efforts or programs aimed at addressing global challenges or achieving common goals.
Example
Global initiatives inspire better waste management practices.
C2 noun /ˈfʊl.krəm/

fulcrum

Meaning
The point or support on which a lever pivots; a central or essential point of activity or support.
Example
The teacher became the fulcrum of change in the school.
B1 adjective /əˈkeɪ.ʒən.əl/

Occasional

Meaning
occurring infrequently or irregularly; happening from time to time
Example
She enjoys occasional walks in the park.
A2 noun/verb /meɪl/

mail

Meaning
Letters, packages, or email messages sent or delivered to someone.
Example
I received an important letter in the mail.
A2 noun /ədˈvaɪs/

advice

Meaning
Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.
Example
Experts provide advice for better air quality.
B2 noun /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/

proceeding

Meaning
a course of action; often used for a legal process or event
Example
The court proceedings lasted for several hours.
C1 noun /krɪˈden.ʃəl/

credential

Meaning
a qualification, achievement, or aspect of a person's background used to indicate suitability for something
Example
She presented her credentials before starting the new job.
C1 adjective /ˈpɪθ.i/

pithy

Meaning
concise and meaningful; full of substance
Example
She gave a pithy comment that summarized the issue perfectly.
C2 noun /ˈlæsi/

lassie

Meaning
a young girl (informal, mainly Scottish)
Example
The old man greeted the little lassie warmly.
B1 noun /ˈpaɪ.lət/

Pilot

Meaning
a person who operates the controls of an aircraft
Example
The experienced pilot landed the plane safely during the storm.
C1 verb /rɪˈpʌls/

repulse

Meaning
to drive back an attack or attacker by force; to cause intense dislike or disgust
Example
The army managed to repulse the enemy attack.
C2 noun mʌnˈdeɪ.nɪ.ti

mundanity

Meaning
The quality of being ordinary, routine, or lacking excitement.
Example
The mundanity of office life can be exhausting.
C1 noun /krʌks/

crux

Meaning
the most important or decisive point of an issue
Example
The crux of the problem lies in poor communication.
C1 adjective /ˈnjuː.tri.ənt dɛns/

nutrient-dense

Meaning
Rich in nutrients and high nutritional value.
Example
Organic food is often more nutrient-dense than processed food.
C2 noun /ˈkɪləˌliːtər/

kiloliter

Meaning
a unit of capacity equal to 1,000 liters
Example
The tank can hold up to three kiloliters of water.
C1 noun /ˌsɪmbɪˈəʊsɪs/

symbiosis

Meaning
A mutually beneficial relationship between different people or groups.
Example
The symbiosis between the two companies led to mutual growth.
B2 noun ədˈvɜː.sɪ.ti

adversity

Meaning
Difficulties; misfortune; a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Example
He remained strong in the face of adversity.
C1 noun ɪnˌten.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən

intensification

Meaning
The process of becoming or making something more intense or extreme.
Example
The intensification of climate change requires urgent action.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːni/

tawny

Meaning
A warm, sandy or golden-brown color.
Example
The owl's tawny feathers blended with the tree bark.
C2 noun /ˈkætəˌklɪzəm/

cataclysm

Meaning
A sudden and violent event that causes great destruction or upheaval.
Example
The earthquake was a cataclysm that reshaped the city.
C1 verb /ˈlɪŋɡər/

linger

Meaning
to stay in a place longer than necessary; to persist
Example
The smell of coffee lingered in the kitchen.
B2 verb /ɪkˈsɛl/

excel

Meaning
to be exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject
Example
She always tries to excel in her studies.
B1 adverb /ˈɔːfəli/

awfully

Meaning
in a very great degree; extremely; in a way that is very bad or unpleasant
Example
I am awfully glad to see you again.
C2 noun (plural) /ˈɔːrdʒiːz/

orgies

Meaning
Wild gatherings involving excessive indulgence in food, drink, or sexual activity.
Example
The ancient Romans were infamous for their lavish feasts and orgies.
C1 verb /blɜːrt/

blurt

Meaning
to say something suddenly without thinking
Example
He blurts out the secret accidentally.
B2 noun /hɪˈstɔːriən/

historian

Meaning
a person who studies or writes about history
Example
The historian gave a lecture on ancient civilizations.
C2 adjective /ˌdɪskəmˈbɑːbjuleɪtɪd/

discombobulated

Meaning
confused and disoriented; feeling unsettled
Example
She looked discombobulated after hearing the unexpected news.
A2 noun /nɒk/

Knock

Meaning
a sudden sharp blow; the sound of striking something
Example
There was a loud knock at the door late at night.
C1 adjective /səbˈsɪd.i.ər.i/

Subsidiary

Meaning
less important than the main thing; secondary; of or relating to a subsidiary company
Example
The subsidiary company handles all overseas operations.
C1 noun /ˈfɛlən/

felon

Meaning
a person who has committed a serious crime
Example
The felon was sentenced to ten years in prison.
C2 noun /məˈnɪʃən/

monition

Meaning
A warning or caution, often of a religious or moral nature.
Example
The priest gave a monition against dishonesty.
C2 verb /pɜːrl/

purl

Meaning
To knit with a purl stitch; to flow with a murmuring sound (as a stream).
Example
The brook purled softly through the meadow.
C2 noun /ˈtʃaɪ.nə bɑːks/

China box

Meaning
a small evergreen shrub with tiny white fragrant flowers
Example
The China box plant produced clusters of small white flowers.
C2 noun ˈtɪl.ɪdʒ

tillage

Meaning
The preparation of land for growing crops.
Example
Excessive tillage can lead to soil erosion.
C2 verb /ˌkaʊntərˈveɪl/

countervail

Meaning
to offset or counteract the effect of something
Example
The benefits of the new policy countervail its drawbacks.
A2 verb /əˈtækt/

attacked

Meaning
physically or verbally assaulted someone or something; launched an aggressive action against a target
Example
The soldiers attacked the enemy at dawn.
C2 noun /tʃɜːrl/

churl

Meaning
A rude, boorish, or ill-mannered person.
Example
The waiter was such a churl that customers left unhappy.
B2 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.fəl/

pitiful

Meaning
deserving or arousing pity; very small or inadequate
Example
The team's performance was pitiful compared to last year.
C1 verb /piːk/

pique

Meaning
to stimulate interest or curiosity; to arouse resentment or anger
Example
Her remarks piqued his curiosity about the secret project.
B2 noun rɪˈtɛnʃən

retention

Meaning
The continued possession, use, or control of something
Example
The retention of information is essential for academic success.
B1 noun /tʃest/

Chest

Meaning
the front surface of a person's or animal's body between the neck and abdomen; a large strong box
Example
The doctor listened to his chest with a stethoscope.
B1 verb /ʃuːt/

shoot

Meaning
to fire a bullet or arrow from a weapon; to take a photograph or film
Example
He learned how to shoot a bow and arrow.
C1 adjective /ˈpɑːr.dən.ə.bəl/

Pardonable

Meaning
able to be forgiven; excusable
Example
His mistake was pardonable given the difficult circumstances.
B2 noun /stɪŋk/

Stink

Meaning
a strong unpleasant smell; bad odor
Example
The garbage created a terrible stink in the kitchen.
B2 noun /ˈbɛriəl/

burial

Meaning
the act of placing a dead body into the ground.
Example
The burial ceremony took place in the afternoon.
C1 noun /ˈdʒʌɡərˌnɔːt/

juggernaut

Meaning
A huge, powerful, and unstoppable force or institution.
Example
The new tech company has become a juggernaut in the industry.
C2 noun /ˈɔːrdʒi/

orgy

Meaning
A wild party involving excessive indulgence, especially of a sexual nature.
Example
The novel described a scandalous orgy in a wealthy mansion.
C2 noun /ænˈtɪpədiːz/

antipodes

Meaning
places on opposite sides of the Earth; also refers to things that are direct opposites
Example
Australia and Britain are often considered antipodes of each other.
C2 verb /ˈmɪlɪˌteɪt/

militate

Meaning
to have a strong effect against something; to work as a powerful factor in preventing or influencing an outcome
Example
His lack of experience will militate against his promotion.
C1 noun/verb /ˈhɛmərɪdʒ/

hemorrhage

Meaning
A significant loss of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, or to lose blood heavily.
Example
The patient suffered a severe brain hemorrhage.
B1 noun /ˈleʒ.ər/

Leisure

Meaning
time when one is not working or occupied; free time used for enjoyment
Example
She enjoys reading books in her leisure time.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃ/

impoverish

Meaning
To make someone poor or reduce the quality or richness of something.
Example
The long war impoverished the entire nation.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtæŋɡəl/

entangle

Meaning
to become twisted together or caught in something; to involve in difficulties
Example
The fish got entangled in the net.
A2 verb; adjective /broʊk/

broke

Meaning
past tense of break; having no money or being financially poor
Example
I broke my phone last night and now I’m completely broke.
A1 noun /deɪts/

Dates

Meaning
sweet brown oval fruits that grow on date palm trees
Example
Dates are commonly eaten during Ramadan to break the fast.
B2 noun /ɡreɪs/

grace

Meaning
simple elegance or refined movement; goodwill and kindness
Example
She moved with grace across the stage.
C1 noun /ˈmiːnnəs/

Meanness

Meaning
The quality of being unkind, spiteful, or unfair; stinginess
Example
His meanness towards the poor children shocked everyone in the neighborhood.
A2 verb /dɪˈskraɪb/

describe

Meaning
to give an account of something in words, including details
Example
She described the scene vividly.
C2 noun /ˈfrɛʃɪt/

freshet

Meaning
A sudden overflow of a stream or river caused by heavy rain or melting snow.
Example
After the storm, the river turned into a raging freshet.
C2 adjective /ˈkæp.ʃəs/

Captious

Meaning
tending to find fault or raise petty objections; fault-finding; critical
Example
His captious remarks about every small detail made the meeting very unpleasant.
C1 adjective /məˈlɛvələnt/

malevolent

Meaning
Having or showing a wish to do evil or harm to others.
Example
The malevolent glare in his eyes frightened the children.
C2 verb /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

lionize

Meaning
to treat someone as a celebrity or give a lot of public attention
Example
The press began to lionize the young scientist after his discovery.
B2 noun /fɪˈlɒsəfə/

philosopher

Meaning
a person engaged in the study of philosophy or in serious thinking about fundamental questions
Example
Socrates was a famous philosopher of ancient Greece.
B2 noun /ˈtʃer.i ˌblɒs.əm/

Cherry Blossom

Meaning
the pink or white flowers of a cherry tree that bloom in spring
Example
The cherry blossoms bloom beautifully in April.
B2 adjective /wiː/

wee

Meaning
very small in size; tiny
Example
She gave me a wee smile before leaving.
B2 noun /dɪˈsen.dənt/

Descendant

Meaning
a person who is descended from a particular ancestor; offspring of a later generation
Example
She discovered that she was a descendant of European royalty through genealogy research.
B2 noun /ˈɔːkɪstrə/

orchestra

Meaning
a large group of musicians playing different instruments together
Example
The orchestra performed beautifully at the concert.
B2 adjective /stɑːrk/

stark

Meaning
Severe, sharp, or clearly defined; plain and without any decoration.
Example
The stark contrast between poverty and wealth was evident in the city.