retain
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B2 verb /rɪˈteɪn/

retain

Meaning
to keep possession of something
Example
The company decided to retain its experienced employees.
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.
B2 noun /kənˈfɛkʃəneri/

confectionery

Meaning
sweets, candies, and other food items made with sugar
Example
The shop sells a wide variety of confectionery.
B2 adverb /ˌælfəˈbɛtɪkli/

alphabetically

Meaning
in the order of the letters of the alphabet
Example
The names are listed alphabetically in the register.
B2 noun kəˈmɪʃ.ən

commission

Meaning
An official group of people entrusted by a government with a particular function.
Example
The commission recommends constitutional reforms.
B2 noun /twɪɡ/

twig

Meaning
a small thin branch of a tree or bush
Example
She broke a twig off the tree to use as a stick.
B2 noun /drɪl/

drill

Meaning
a tool or exercise used for making holes or practicing skills
Example
The students took part in a fire drill at school.
B2 noun /slʌm/

Slum

Meaning
a poor urban area with substandard housing and squalid conditions
Example
The government is working to improve conditions in the slum.
B2 adjective /ˈprɑːspərəs/

Prosperous

Meaning
successful in material terms; flourishing financially
Example
The company became very prosperous after launching their new product.
B2 noun, verb /stɛm/

stem

Meaning
Noun: The main stalk of a plant. Verb: To stop or restrict the flow or development of something.
Example
The gardener cut the stem of the rose; New policies aim to stem the flow of pollution.
B2 noun /ˈten.dər.nəs/

Tenderness

Meaning
gentleness and kindness; the quality of being easily hurt or damaged
Example
The mother showed great tenderness while caring for her sick child.
B2 noun /əˈdʒʌstmənt/

adjustment

Meaning
a small change made to improve something or make it work better
Example
The doctor made an adjustment to the patient’s medication.
B2 noun /ˈtʃɒp.ər/

Chopper

Meaning
a tool with a heavy blade for chopping wood; a helicopter
Example
The lumberjack swung the chopper to cut down the tree.
B2 noun /ˈɡɑːr.di.ən/

Guardian

Meaning
a defender, protector, or keeper; a person legally responsible for the care of someone unable to manage their own affairs
Example
After her parents died, her uncle became her legal guardian and took care of her.
B2 adjective, verb /ˈnoʊtɪd/

noted

Meaning
well known or famous; written down or observed
Example
He is a noted author in the field of history.
B2 noun pɛsts

pests

Meaning
Harmful or troublesome creatures, especially insects or small animals that damage crops, food, or living spaces.
Example
Pests can damage crops and cause diseases.
B2 adjective /ˈstɛdi/

steady

Meaning
firm, stable, and not likely to change suddenly
Example
He kept his hand steady while painting the picture.
B2 noun /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/

instinct

Meaning
A natural way of behaving or reacting that does not require learning.
Example
Birds build nests by instinct.
B2 adjective /ˈbɪtər/

Bitter

Meaning
having a sharp, pungent taste; feeling or showing anger and disappointment
Example
The medicine had a bitter taste.
B2 verb /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/

cultivate

Meaning
to grow crops or plants; to develop or improve something
Example
Farmers cultivate rice in the paddy fields.
B2 noun/verb /ˌbærɪˈkeɪd/

barricade

Meaning
a barrier erected to block or defend against movement; to block a passage with obstacles
Example
Protesters built a barricade across the street.
B2 noun /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzər/

organizer

Meaning
a person who arranges or coordinates activities, events, or groups; a tool or item used to keep things in order
Example
She worked as the main organizer of the international conference.
B2 noun; verb /ˈkætəlɒɡ/

catalogue

Meaning
a complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or systematic order; to make a systematic list of items
Example
The library decided to catalogue all new books digitally.
B2 noun /toʊl/

toll

Meaning
A charge payable for using a road or bridge; also the extent of damage or suffering caused by something.
Example
The flood took a heavy toll on the village.
B2 verb /ˈʃætər/

shatter

Meaning
To break suddenly into many small pieces.
Example
The glass will shatter if you drop it.
B2 noun /ˌnɒməˈneɪʃən/

nomination

Meaning
The act of formally proposing someone for a role, position, or award.
Example
Her nomination for the award surprised everyone.
B2 adjective /ˈskeptɪkəl/

Sceptical

Meaning
having doubts; not easily convinced; questioning the truth of something
Example
Many scientists remain sceptical about the new theory.
B2 adjective /ˈrɪdən/

ridden

Meaning
Full of or dominated by something unpleasant.
Example
The country was ridden with corruption.
B2 verb /roʊm/

roam

Meaning
to walk or travel without a specific destination; to wander
Example
Wild animals roam freely in the forest.
B2 noun /dwɔːrf/

dwarf

Meaning
a person, animal, or plant much smaller than average
Example
Snow White lived with seven dwarfs.
B2 noun/verb /ɔːˈdɪʃən/

audition

Meaning
A trial performance by an actor, singer, or musician to demonstrate suitability for a role.
Example
She auditioned for the lead role in the school play.
B2 verb /maɪˈɡreɪt/

migrate

Meaning
To move from one region or habitat to another, especially regularly according to the seasons or for work.
Example
Birds migrate south during the winter.
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 noun /kənˈdenst mɪlk/

Condensed milk

Meaning
milk from which water has been removed and sugar added, creating a thick, sweet product
Example
The recipe calls for a can of condensed milk to make the dessert extra creamy.
B2 noun /bɪd/

Bid

Meaning
an offer to pay a certain amount for something; an attempt to obtain or achieve something
Example
She made a bid for the antique vase at the auction.
B2 adjective ˌpaɪəˈnɪə.rɪŋ

pioneering

Meaning
Involving new ideas or methods; innovative and original.
Example
Pioneering efforts often lead to success.
B2 noun /skwɒd/

squad

Meaning
a small group of people organized for a specific purpose or task, often in the military or sports
Example
The football squad trained hard before the championship match.
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.
B2 noun /ˈtɛkstʃər/

texture

Meaning
the way something feels when you touch it; the quality of a surface or substance
Example
The fabric has a soft and smooth texture.
B2 noun /ˈaɪkɒn/

icon

Meaning
A person or thing regarded as a symbol of something, or a graphic symbol on a screen.
Example
The singer became a cultural icon.
B2 noun /dɛk/

deck

Meaning
A flat surface or platform, often on a ship or building.
Example
We enjoyed the sunset from the upper deck of the ferry.
B2 adjective /væst/

Vast

Meaning
extremely large in size, amount, or extent; immense
Example
The vast ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon.
B2 noun /ˈskændəl/

scandal

Meaning
an event or action that causes public outrage or damage to one's reputation
Example
The politician's affair became a public scandal.
B2 noun /rʌst/

Rust

Meaning
reddish-brown coating formed on iron or steel by oxidation; corrosion
Example
The old car was covered in rust after years of neglect.
B2 adjective /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbl/

disagreeable

Meaning
Unpleasant or offensive; causing discomfort or annoyance.
Example
The weather was cold and disagreeable.
B2 noun /ˈrɪb.ən/

ribbon

Meaning
a long, narrow strip of fabric used for tying or decoration
Example
She tied her hair with a red ribbon.
B2 adjective /ɪˈrɛləvənt/

Irrelevant

Meaning
not connected with or relevant to something; having no bearing on the matter
Example
Your past mistakes are irrelevant to this discussion.
B2 verb /ɪnˈkwaɪər/

enquire

Meaning
to ask for information about something
Example
He enquired about the train schedule.
B2 noun /ˈɛseɪ/

essay

Meaning
A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
Example
She wrote an essay about climate change.
B2 noun /rʌʃ/

Rush

Meaning
a sudden quick movement toward something; a period of great activity or demand; hurry
Example
There was a rush to buy tickets for the concert.
B2 noun /ˈɪnvənˌtɔːri/

inventory

Meaning
A complete list of items, such as goods in stock or property.
Example
The shopkeeper checked the inventory before opening the store.
B2 adjective /ɔːˈθen.tɪk/

Authentic

Meaning
genuine; real; not fake or copied
Example
The museum displays only authentic artifacts from ancient civilizations.
B2 noun /pætʃ/

Patch

Meaning
a small piece of material used to mend a hole; a small area of something different
Example
She sewed a patch over the hole in her jeans.
B2 noun/verb /dɪˈspjuːt/

dispute

Meaning
a disagreement or argument about something important
Example
The two countries are in dispute over the border issue.
B2 noun /rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/

reliability

Meaning
the quality of being trustworthy or performing consistently well
Example
Customers value the reliability of our service.
B2 noun /ˈkɒn.ʃəs.nəs/

consciousness

Meaning
The state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings.
Example
Meditation helps improve consciousness and clarity of thought.
B2 adjective /ˈrʌs.ti/

Rusty

Meaning
affected by rust; out of practice; impaired by lack of recent practice
Example
My piano skills are rusty after not playing for years.
B2 adjective /ˈvɜːrtɪkl/

vertical

Meaning
Standing or pointing straight up; perpendicular to the ground.
Example
The skyscraper has a perfectly vertical design.
B2 verb /kəˈmɛnd/

commend

Meaning
to praise formally or officially
Example
The teacher commended the students for their hard work.
B2 noun /ˈvɜː.tʃuː/

Virtue

Meaning
behavior showing high moral standards; a good or useful quality of a thing
Example
Honesty is considered the highest virtue in many cultures.
B2 adjective /kəmˈpoʊzd/

composed

Meaning
calm and in control of oneself; made up of or formed from
Example
He remained composed even under pressure.
B2 adjective /ˈprɛdʒədɪst/

prejudiced

Meaning
having or showing a dislike or bias against a person or group without proper reason
Example
He was prejudiced against people from other regions.
B2 verb /ʌnˈveɪl/

unveil

Meaning
to reveal or disclose something, especially in a formal manner
Example
The company will unveil a new product next week.
B2 noun trænˈzɪʃ.ən

transition

Meaning
The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Example
The transition from fossil fuels to renewables is vital.
B2 adjective /keɪˈɒtɪk/

Chaotic

Meaning
in a state of complete confusion and disorder
Example
The situation became chaotic after the announcement.
B2 noun /ˈɔːkʃən/

Auction

Meaning
a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder
Example
The antique furniture was sold at an auction last weekend.
B2 noun /ɪnˈdɔːrs.mənt/

endorsement

Meaning
A public or official statement of support or approval.
Example
The celebrity's endorsement increased the product's sales.
B2 noun /spaɪt/

spite

Meaning
a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone
Example
She refused the gift out of spite.
B2 adverb /ˈpʌb.lɪk.li/

Publicly

Meaning
in a public manner; openly; for everyone to see or know
Example
The company publicly announced their new policy.
B2 adjective + noun ˈædvɜːrs ɪˈfekts

adverse effects

Meaning
Negative or harmful impacts that result from an action or condition.
Example
Plastic usage has adverse effects on the environment.
B2 verb /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/

engaging

Meaning
Participating or becoming involved in; occupying or attracting someone's interest or attention.
Example
Engaging youth in education is essential.
B2 noun /ɪˈfɛktɪvnəs/

effectiveness

Meaning
the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result.
Example
The effectiveness of the new policy is still being evaluated.
B2 noun, verb /rɪər/

rear

Meaning
the back part of something; to bring up or raise children or animals
Example
The mother cat reared her kittens in a quiet corner.
B2 noun fəˈnɒm.ɪ.nə

phenomena

Meaning
Facts or situations that are observed to exist or happen, especially ones whose cause or explanation is in question.
Example
Phenomena like floods disrupt agricultural systems.
B2 noun /ˈboʊlər/

bowler

Meaning
a person who delivers the ball in cricket; also a type of hard felt hat with a rounded crown
Example
The bowler took three wickets in the first over.
B2 noun /ˈsuː.ɪ.saɪd/

Suicide

Meaning
the act of intentionally killing oneself
Example
Mental health professionals work to prevent suicide.
B2 verb /ɪmˈpaʊər/

empower

Meaning
To give someone the power or authority to do something; to make someone stronger or more confident.
Example
Education can empower people to improve their lives.
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.
B2 noun /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/

establishment

Meaning
An organization, business, or system; the act of setting something up.
Example
The restaurant is a new establishment in town.
B2 noun /ˈdaɪ.vər/

Diver

Meaning
a type of water bird that dives underwater to catch fish
Example
The diver disappeared beneath the surface to catch a fish.
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 /ʌnˈsteɪbəl/

Unstable

Meaning
likely to change; not steady or secure; unsteady
Example
The unstable economy made people worried about their jobs.
B2 noun /ˈmæm.əl/

mammal

Meaning
A warm-blooded animal with hair or fur, and females produce milk for their young.
Example
The whale is the largest mammal on Earth.
B2 noun /bʌd/

Bud

Meaning
An undeveloped or immature flower before it opens
Example
The rose bud will bloom into a beautiful flower in a few days.
B2 noun /kənˈvɪk.ʃən/

conviction

Meaning
A firmly held belief or opinion.
Example
She spoke with conviction, making everyone believe her.
B2 verb /dɪsˈkɑːrd/

discard

Meaning
to throw away something that is no longer needed
Example
She decided to discard the old clothes.
B2 noun /ˌɒn.trə.prəˈnɜːr/

Entrepreneur

Meaning
a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses
Example
The young entrepreneur started her own tech company at age 22.
B2 adjective /ˈtrædʒɪk/

Tragic

Meaning
very sad; involving death or extreme suffering
Example
The plane crash was a tragic accident.
B2 noun ˈaʊt.pʊt

output

Meaning
The amount of something produced by a person, machine, or industry.
Example
Climate change reduces agricultural output.
B2 noun, verb /slænt/

slant

Meaning
A particular point of view; to slope or lean in a particular direction.
Example
The article had a political slant.
B2 verb /ˈkaʊnsəl/

counsel

Meaning
to give professional advice or guidance to someone
Example
The teacher counseled the students on their career choices.
B2 noun /ˌvɪz.ɪˈbɪlɪti/

visibility

Meaning
The state of being able to see or be seen; exposure or prominence.
Example
Increased visibility on social media can help businesses grow.
B2 noun /bent/

Bent

Meaning
a natural inclination or talent; a strong interest or liking for something
Example
She has a natural bent for music and art.
B2 verb /ˌdɪskəˈnɛkt/

disconnect

Meaning
to detach or separate from a connection or source
Example
Please disconnect the charger from the power outlet.
B2 adjective ˌkɒn.trəˈvɜː.ʃəl

controversial

Meaning
Giving rise to public disagreement or heated discussion.
Example
The policy remains controversial.
B2 adjective ˈpeɪn.ləs

painless

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

democrat

Meaning
a supporter of democracy or a member of the Democratic Party in the US
Example
He is a strong democrat who believes in equal rights.
B2 noun sɔɪl ɪˈrəʊʒən

soil erosion

Meaning
The wearing away of topsoil by water, wind, or other natural forces.
Example
Soil erosion can lead to the loss of fertile land.
B2 noun /ˈɪnˌteɪk/

intake

Meaning
the process of taking something in, especially food or drink
Example
He monitored his daily intake of calories to maintain a healthy diet.
B2 noun /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/

shipping

Meaning
the process of transporting goods
Example
The shipping of the products was delayed due to weather conditions.
B2 noun /ˈɡlɔː.ri/

Glory

Meaning
magnificent beauty or splendor; praise, honor, and distinction; a state of absolute happiness
Example
The athlete basked in the glory of winning the Olympic gold medal.
B2 noun /ˈæktɪvɪst/

activist

Meaning
A person who works to bring about social or political change.
Example
The activist organized a protest against pollution.
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.
B2 noun /ˌsuːpərˈvɪʒən/

supervision

Meaning
the action or process of overseeing or managing something or someone
Example
The project was completed under the supervision of an experienced manager.
B2 noun, verb /ˈdɪskɔːrs/

discourse

Meaning
Written or spoken communication or debate.
Example
The professor gave a discourse on ancient philosophy.
B2 adverb /ˈdɛspərətli/

desperately

Meaning
in a way that shows despair or great need
Example
He called for help desperately after the accident.
B2 adverb /hɛns/

hence

Meaning
for this reason; as a result
Example
She was the best candidate, hence she was chosen for the job.
B2 noun; verb /breɪs/

brace

Meaning
a device that supports or strengthens something; to prepare mentally or physically for something difficult
Example
She braced herself for the strong wind.
B2 noun ˈnætʃərəl ˈhæbɪtæt

Natural Habitat

Meaning
The natural environment where organisms live and fulfill their life needs.
Example
Protecting the natural habitat is crucial for butterflies.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/

indulge

Meaning
to allow oneself to enjoy something enjoyable, often excessively
Example
He indulged in a piece of chocolate cake after dinner.
B2 noun ˈterɪtəri

territory

Meaning
An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.
Example
The king expanded his territory.
B2 adjective /brɪsk/

Brisk

Meaning
quick and energetic; lively; vigorous
Example
She took a brisk walk in the morning to feel energized.
B2 verb /prəˈkleɪm/

proclaim

Meaning
to announce something publicly or officially, especially something important
Example
The president proclaimed a national day of mourning.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmənˌteɪtər/

commentator

Meaning
a person who reports and discusses events, especially on TV or radio
Example
The commentator described the football match in detail.
B2 noun oʊˈbiː.sə.t̬i

obesity

Meaning
The condition of being grossly fat or overweight.
Example
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
B2 noun /sɛnˈseɪʃən/

Sensation

Meaning
a physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body; a widespread reaction of interest and excitement
Example
The new singer became an overnight sensation.
B2 verb /ɪmˈpoʊzd/

imposed

Meaning
forced something to be accepted or put in place
Example
The government imposed new regulations on the industry.
B2 noun /ˈmɒlɪkjuːl/

molecule

Meaning
The smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties.
Example
A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
B2 verb /kənˈfrʌnt/

confront

Meaning
to face someone or something directly, especially in a challenge or conflict
Example
She had to confront her fears before making the speech.
B2 noun ɪnˈdʒʌstɪs

injustice

Meaning
Lack of fairness or justice; the practice of being unjust or unfair.
Example
The story portrays the injustices faced by the common people.
B2 noun /plænˈteɪʃən/

plantation

Meaning
a large area of land where crops are grown, often for commercial purposes
Example
The sugarcane plantation stretched for miles across the valley.