refractory
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C2 adjective /rɪˈfræktəri/

refractory

Meaning
Stubborn or resistant to control, authority, or treatment.
Example
The refractory child refused to follow the teacher's instructions.
C2 noun /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

underling

Meaning
a person of low rank or importance; a subordinate
Example
The manager ordered his underlings to finish the task quickly.
C2 noun /ˈvaɪkaʊnt/

viscount

Meaning
A British nobleman ranking below an earl and above a baron.
Example
The viscount inherited the estate from his father.
C2 noun /əˈzeɪ.li.ə/

azalea

Meaning
a flowering shrub with brightly colored blooms, often grown ornamentally
Example
The garden was full of blooming azaleas in spring.
C2 noun /ˈɛərəˌstæt/

aerostat

Meaning
A lighter-than-air craft, such as a balloon, that is lifted by gas.
Example
The military used an aerostat for surveillance over the border.
B2 adjective /stiːp/

steep

Meaning
Having a sharp inclination or high slope; also can mean excessive (as in price).
Example
The hikers climbed a steep mountain trail.
C1 adjective /ˈfaɪə.ri/

Fiery

Meaning
burning; passionate; hot-tempered; showing strong emotion
Example
She has a fiery temper that flares up quickly.
B1 verb /ˈdɪfər/

differ

Meaning
to be unlike or distinct from something else
Example
Opinions differ on this issue.
C1 noun /ˌprəʊˈæk.tɪv ˈliː.də.ʃɪp/

proactive leadership

Meaning
Leadership that takes initiative and anticipates problems before they occur, rather than reacting to events.
Example
Proactive leadership ensures timely decisions.
A2 noun /səˈpraɪz/

surprise

Meaning
a sudden and unexpected event or situation
Example
His arrival was a pleasant surprise.
C1 adjective /ɪˈneɪn/

inane

Meaning
lacking sense, meaning, or significance; silly or pointless
Example
The movie was criticized for its inane dialogue.
C1 noun /ˈæmfɪˌθiətər/

amphitheater

Meaning
A large open circular or oval building with rising tiers of seats, used for public events.
Example
The concert was held in an ancient amphitheater.
C1 verb /ˈdɪs.ɪ.peɪt/

dissipate

Meaning
To disappear or cause to disappear gradually.
Example
The tension in the room slowly dissipated.
C1 noun səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi

sustainable technology

Meaning
Technology designed to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.
Example
Sustainable technology ensures a cleaner future.
B1 noun /ˈbʌb.əl/

bubble

Meaning
a thin sphere of liquid enclosing air or gas; a temporary state of inflated value or excitement
Example
The children chased the bubbles in the air.
C2 noun /ˈbrɛviˌɛri/

breviary

Meaning
A book containing the service for each day, used in Christian liturgy.
Example
The monk read from the breviary during morning prayers.
A2 noun /ˈzi.brə/

Zebra

Meaning
an African animal like a horse with black and white stripes
Example
The zebra ran across the African savanna with its herd.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt/

incompetent

Meaning
Lacking the necessary ability or skills to do something successfully.
Example
He was fired because he was incompetent at his job.
B2 adjective /ˈhek.tɪk/

Hectic

Meaning
very busy and full of activity; frantic; characterized by intense activity or excitement
Example
My schedule has been hectic lately with back-to-back meetings.
C2 adjective /ˈblɪŋkəd/

blinkered

Meaning
Having a limited or narrow outlook; unable or unwilling to consider other perspectives.
Example
His blinkered attitude stopped him from seeing the bigger picture.
A2 noun /ˈvɒlibɔːl/

volleyball

Meaning
a team sport in which players hit a ball over a high net using their hands
Example
She plays volleyball with her friends every weekend.
C2 noun /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/

bigamy

Meaning
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Example
He was charged with bigamy after his second marriage was discovered.
A1 adjective /ˈfrɛndli/

friendly

Meaning
Kind and pleasant; showing goodwill and affection.
Example
The shop owner is very friendly to new customers.
C2 noun /krɪpˈtɒɡ.rə.fi/

cryptography

Meaning
The practice of securing information through encryption or coding techniques
Example
Modern cryptography ensures secure online transactions.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfɒɡd/

befogged

Meaning
Confused or clouded in mind; made unclear like being surrounded by fog.
Example
His mind felt befogged after the long and exhausting meeting.
C2 noun /dɪˈspɔɪlər/

despoiler

Meaning
A person who robs, plunders, or violently takes things from others.
Example
The despoilers left the city in ruins.
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.
C1 adverb /ˈeɪ.mi.ə.bli/

Amiably

Meaning
in a friendly and pleasant manner
Example
They discussed the issue amiably without any arguments.
C1 adverb /ˈhɒtli/

hotly

Meaning
in an intense, angry, or passionate way
Example
She hotly denied the accusations.
B2 adjective /ˈbeə.rə.bəl/

Bearable

Meaning
able to be endured; tolerable; not too unpleasant or painful
Example
The pain became bearable after taking the medicine.
C1 noun /ˈɒntʊrɑːʒ/

entourage

Meaning
A group of people attending or surrounding an important person.
Example
The celebrity arrived with her entourage of assistants and bodyguards.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/

incapable

Meaning
lacking the ability, skill, or capacity to do something
Example
He is incapable of understanding complex instructions.
A2 noun əˈɡriː.mənt

agreement

Meaning
A negotiated arrangement between parties as to a course of action.
Example
The agreement was accepted by all countries.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːli ˌmaʊðd/

mealy-mouthed

Meaning
Unwilling to speak directly and honestly; insincere or evasive in speech.
Example
The manager gave a mealy-mouthed excuse instead of admitting the mistake.
C2 adjective /ˈtjuːtɪlɑːr/

tutelar

Meaning
Serving as a guardian or protector.
Example
The tutelar spirit of the forest was believed to protect travelers.
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.
B2 noun /ˈɑːrtɪzən/

artisan

Meaning
a skilled craftsperson who makes things by hand
Example
The artisan crafted a beautiful wooden chair.
C1 noun /aɪ/

aye

Meaning
an affirmative vote or expression of agreement
Example
The committee voted aye on the proposal.
A1 conjunction /bɪˈkɔːz/

because

Meaning
for the reason that; since
Example
He stayed home because it was raining.
B2 noun /dʒiːn/

gene

Meaning
A unit of heredity in living organisms, transferred from parent to offspring, determining traits.
Example
Eye color is influenced by genes inherited from parents.
B2 noun prɒsˈpɛr.ɪ.ti

prosperity

Meaning
The state of being prosperous; success or wealth.
Example
The country achieved great prosperity during the last decade.
B2 adjective ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl

exceptional

Meaning
Unusually good; outstanding; forming an exception; not typical.
Example
Exceptional talent drives innovation.
B2 adjective /ˈspeɪ.ʃəs/

Spacious

Meaning
having a lot of space; roomy and comfortable
Example
The house has a spacious living room with high ceilings.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɜː.sənˈeɪ.ʃən/

impersonation

Meaning
The action of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.
Example
Online impersonation is a serious cybercrime.
C2 verb /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪt/

exhilarate

Meaning
To make someone feel very happy, animated, or excited.
Example
The mountain view exhilarated the travelers.
C2 verb /fɪˈlɪsɪˌteɪt/

felicitate

Meaning
to congratulate; to express good wishes
Example
We felicitated the graduating students at the ceremony.
A2 adjective /prəˈfɛʃənl/

professional

Meaning
relating to a job that requires special training or education
Example
She is a professional dancer who performs internationally.
A1 determiner/pronoun /əˈnʌðər/

another

Meaning
one more person or thing of the same type
Example
Can I have another cup of tea?
C2 noun, verb /ɡəˈrɒt/

garrote

Meaning
A method of execution by strangulation, or to strangle someone with a cord or wire.
Example
The assassin attempted to garrote his target in the alley.
A2 verb /ˈdʌbəl/

double

Meaning
to make twice as much in size, number, or amount
Example
The company hopes to double its profits this year.
C2 adjective, adverb /əˈfʊt/

afoot

Meaning
In progress; happening or being prepared.
Example
There are several new projects afoot in the company.
B1 noun /swet/

Sweat

Meaning
moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, typically as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear
Example
After running for an hour, he was covered in sweat.
C2 verb /sleɪk/

slake

Meaning
To satisfy thirst or desire.
Example
She drank cold water to slake her thirst.
C1 verb /siːp/

seep

Meaning
to flow or leak slowly through small openings or pores
Example
Water began to seep through the cracks in the wall.
C2 noun /ˈpɪkəloʊ/

piccolo

Meaning
a small flute, higher in pitch than the regular flute
Example
She played a lively tune on the piccolo during the concert.
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.
C2 noun /ˈkæt.kɪn/

Catkin

Meaning
a drooping, often tasseled cluster of small flowers found on willow and birch trees
Example
The willow tree's catkins swayed gently in the spring breeze.
C2 verb /ˈɡɑːɡəl/

goggle

Meaning
to stare with wide open eyes, often in surprise or wonder
Example
The tourists goggled at the tall skyscrapers.
C2 adjective /vɜːrˈtɪdʒɪnəs/

vertiginous

Meaning
Causing dizziness due to great height or steepness.
Example
The tourists looked down from the vertiginous cliffs with awe.
B1 noun /ˈbɪldər/

builder

Meaning
a person or company that constructs buildings or other structures
Example
The builder checked the site before starting the construction.
A2 adjective, noun /ˈkloʊsər/

closer

Meaning
more near in distance or relationship; someone or something that concludes an activity
Example
She moved closer to the window.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvɛtərət/

inveterate

Meaning
having a long-established habit, activity, or interest that is unlikely to change
Example
He is an inveterate reader who spends hours in the library every day.
B1 verb /kənˈkluːd/

conclude

Meaning
to bring to an end; to decide or determine after consideration
Example
We will conclude the meeting at five o'clock.
A1 noun /boʊt/

Boat

Meaning
a small vessel for traveling over water
Example
We took a small boat to cross the river.
B1 noun /wɪdθ/

Width

Meaning
the measurement or extent of something from side to side; breadth
Example
The width of the river is about 50 meters.
C2 adjective /səˈprɛsəbl̩/

suppressible

Meaning
capable of being restrained, controlled, or prevented
Example
The symptoms of the disease are suppressible with medication.
B1 adjective /ænˈtiːk/

Antique

Meaning
old and valuable; belonging to ancient times
Example
She collected antique furniture from the Victorian era.
B2 noun /ˈwɪzərd/

Wizard

Meaning
a man who is supposed to have magical powers; a person who is very skilled in a particular area
Example
The wizard performed amazing magic tricks.
B2 noun /ˈfɜː.tɪ.laɪ.zər/

fertilizer

Meaning
a substance added to soil to make plants grow more successfully
Example
Farmers use fertilizer to increase crop production.
C1 adverb /ˈðɛərfɔːr/

therefor

Meaning
For that or for it.
Example
He received payment and gave a receipt therefor.
C1 adjective /sɪˈnɒnɪməs/

synonymous

Meaning
having the same or nearly the same meaning; closely associated with something
Example
For many people, her name is synonymous with generosity.
B1 verb /dɪˈzɜːrv/

deserve

Meaning
To be worthy of something, usually a reward or punishment.
Example
She worked hard and deserves recognition.
B2 adjective ˈpeɪn.ləs

painless

Meaning
Not causing pain; involving little effort or stress.
Example
Modern methods ensure painless treatment.
B2 verb /ˈɡæmbəl/

gamble

Meaning
to bet money on games of chance; to take a risky action
Example
He decided to gamble his savings on the stock market.
B1 adjective /ˈtrɪki/

Tricky

Meaning
requiring skill or careful handling; difficult to deal with
Example
This math problem is quite tricky to solve.
B2 noun /ɪˈliːt/ or /eɪˈliːt/

elite

Meaning
A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities.
Example
Only the elite were invited to the exclusive event.
B1 adjective /ˈkɒn.stənt/

Constant

Meaning
occurring continuously over a period of time; unchanging; steady
Example
The machine runs at a constant speed.
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.
C2 adjective /ˌtɛmɪˈrɛəriəs/

temerarious

Meaning
Reckless or rash; showing a lack of caution.
Example
It was a temerarious decision to cross the river during the storm.
B2 verb /səˈspɛnd/

suspend

Meaning
To temporarily stop something from being active or valid.
Example
The company decided to suspend his membership.
C2 noun /ˈkɪŋɡlɪŋ/

kingling

Meaning
A minor or petty king; a ruler of small importance.
Example
The kingling demanded respect from his people despite his small realm.
B2 noun /ˈlæv.ən.dər/

Lavender

Meaning
a fragrant purple flowering plant used in perfumes and aromatherapy
Example
The lavender field filled the air with its sweet, calming fragrance.
B2 noun /ˈæplɪkənt/

applicant

Meaning
a person who applies for something, such as a job or a position
Example
The applicant was interviewed for the position.
B2 noun /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/

mining

Meaning
the process of extracting valuable minerals or other resources from the earth
Example
Mining in this area has increased in recent years.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːrsɪmoʊni/

parsimony

Meaning
extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
Example
His parsimony was evident in the way he avoided any unnecessary expenses.
B1 adjective /ˈsʌm.wʌt/

Somewhat

Meaning
to some extent; rather; moderately
Example
The movie was somewhat interesting but not great.
C2 verb /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːn/

importune

Meaning
To ask someone persistently or pressingly for something
Example
The child importuned his mother for a new toy.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊˈfoʊbiə/

hydrophobia

Meaning
Extreme or irrational fear of water; historically, another name for rabies.
Example
After being bitten by a stray dog, the man was treated for hydrophobia.
C2 noun /ˈɛmɪsɛri/

emissary

Meaning
A person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.
Example
The king sent an emissary to negotiate peace.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsteɪtɪd/

unstated

Meaning
not expressed directly in words; implied or left unsaid
Example
The contract included several unstated expectations.
B1 verb /blɛs/

bless

Meaning
to give divine favor; to ask for God's favor
Example
The priest blessed the congregation.
B2 verb /dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ/

discourage

Meaning
to make someone less confident or enthusiastic about doing something
Example
Failure should not discourage you from trying again.
C1 adjective ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs

ingenious

Meaning
Showing inventiveness and skill; clever, original, and inventive.
Example
His ingenious ideas transformed modern physics.
C2 noun /ˈsoʊbrɪˌkeɪ/

sobriquet

Meaning
a person's nickname or descriptive name
Example
The famous leader was known by the sobriquet 'The Iron Lady'.
B1 noun/verb /ˈprɛʃər/

pressure

Meaning
the force applied to something or the feeling of stress or tension
Example
The pressure of the situation made him nervous.
C2 noun /əˈsɛt.ɪˌsɪz.əm/

asceticism

Meaning
The practice of severe self-discipline and abstaining from indulgence, typically for religious or spiritual reasons.
Example
Asceticism has been a part of many religious traditions throughout history.
B1 noun /ədˈvæns/

Advance

Meaning
progress or development; movement forward; money paid before it is due
Example
Technology has made great advances in recent years.
C1 noun /ˈmɪm.ɪk/

Mimic

Meaning
A person who copies or imitates the actions, speech, or mannerisms of others
Example
The talented mimic could perfectly imitate famous celebrities.
A1 verb /teɪk/

take

Meaning
to get possession of; to carry or bring with oneself
Example
Please take this book to the library.
C2 verb /ˈɛnərˌveɪt/

enervate

Meaning
To weaken or drain someone of strength or vitality.
Example
The long hours of work enervated him.
C2 verb /əˈniːl/

anneal

Meaning
To heat and cool metal or glass to make it stronger or less brittle.
Example
The blacksmith annealed the steel to improve its durability.
C1 noun /ˌʌnriˈælɪti/

unreality

Meaning
the state or quality of being unreal; lack of reality or truth
Example
The dreamlike setting gave the story a sense of unreality.
C2 verb /ˈflædʒəˌleɪt/

flagellate

Meaning
to whip or flog someone, either literally or as a form of punishment or self-discipline
Example
In history, some monks would flagellate themselves as penance.
A1 verb /bɪˈliːv/

believe

Meaning
to think that something is true; to have faith in
Example
I believe in hard work and dedication.
C2 noun /ˈkʌvən/

coven

Meaning
a group or gathering of witches
Example
The witches met secretly in a coven in the forest.
C1 adjective /moʊˈmentəs/

Momentous

Meaning
of great importance or significance; having far-reaching consequences
Example
The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous occasion for both countries.
B1 noun /boʊ/

Bow

Meaning
a weapon for shooting arrows, made of a curved piece of wood
Example
The archer drew his bow and aimed at the target.
A2 noun /ˈeər kənˈdɪʃ.ən.ər/

Air conditioner

Meaning
a system that controls the temperature, humidity, and air quality in a building or room
Example
We turned on the air conditioner because it was too hot outside.
C2 noun /ˈfæn.feər/

fanfare

Meaning
a short ceremonial tune or display of publicity to attract attention
Example
The new product was launched with much fanfare.
C2 noun /rɪˈɡætə/

regatta

Meaning
A sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races.
Example
The annual regatta attracted competitors from around the world.
C2 noun kəmˈpʌŋk.ʃən

compunction

Meaning
A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.
Example
He felt compunction after lying to his friend.
B2 noun ˌriːfɔːˈreɪʃən

reforestation

Meaning
The natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted.
Example
Reforestation efforts are crucial to restoring ecosystems.
B2 noun, verb /əˈsɔːlt/

assault

Meaning
a physical attack or to attack someone violently
Example
He was charged with assault after the fight.
C2 noun (plural) /əˈspɜːr.ʒənz/

aspersions

Meaning
Critical or slanderous remarks; multiple attacks on reputation.
Example
The politician rejected the aspersions cast against him.
C2 adjective /voʊˈsɪfərəs/

vociferous

Meaning
expressing feelings or opinions in a loud and forceful way
Example
The vociferous crowd demanded justice.
A2 noun /ˈdjuː.ti/

Duty

Meaning
something that one is expected or required to do; moral or legal obligation
Example
It is our duty as citizens to vote in elections.
B2 adjective /ˈmɪstʃɪvəs/

Mischievous

Meaning
playfully naughty; causing minor trouble; impish
Example
The mischievous child hid his sister's favorite toy.
C1 verb /brɔɪl/

broil

Meaning
To cook food by direct heat, usually under a grill or over a fire.
Example
She broiled the chicken until it was golden brown.
C1 noun /ɪkˈstrækʃən/

extraction

Meaning
the act of removing something, especially by pulling it out
Example
The extraction of oil from the ground requires special equipment.
C1 noun /ˈkændɪdnəs/

candidness

Meaning
The quality of being open, honest, and straightforward
Example
Her candidness during the meeting impressed everyone.
B2 noun fəˈtɪl.ɪ.ti

fertility

Meaning
The quality of being fertile; fruitfulness.
Example
Fertility of the soil is crucial for farming.