scratch
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B1 verb /skrætʃ/

scratch

Meaning
to rub a surface or skin with something sharp or rough, often to relieve itching
Example
The cat scratched the door to be let in.
B2 noun /ˈɑp.tə.mɪst/

Optimist

Meaning
a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future; someone who sees the good side of things
Example
As an optimist, she always believed things would improve.
C2 noun /pʌɡˈnæsɪti/

pugnacity

Meaning
A natural disposition to be combative or aggressive.
Example
The coach admired the player's pugnacity on the field.
C1 noun /ˌɪm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

Imposition

Meaning
the action or process of imposing something or of being imposed; an unfair burden or demand
Example
The imposition of new taxes without consultation angered the citizens greatly.
C1 verb/noun /ˈrɛlɪʃ/

relish

Meaning
to greatly enjoy; also a condiment or sauce
Example
She relished the opportunity to travel abroad.
C1 noun /brɛdθ/

breadth

Meaning
The distance or measurement from side to side; width; a wide range.
Example
The breadth of his knowledge impressed everyone.
C2 adjective /ˌsæsərˈdoʊtl/

sacerdotal

Meaning
Relating to priests or the priesthood.
Example
The ritual had a distinctly sacerdotal character.
C2 noun /əˈblɪkwɪti/

obliquity

Meaning
Deviation from moral or usual conduct; indirectness or lack of straightforwardness.
Example
The politician was criticized for the obliquity of his answers.
C1 noun /ˈnɒnʃələns/

nonchalance

Meaning
A relaxed and calm state, showing lack of concern or interest.
Example
She answered the tough questions with surprising nonchalance.
B2 noun /kæf/

Calf

Meaning
a young cow or bull; young of various large mammals
Example
The calf stayed close to its mother.
C2 noun /ɪkˈstɛnsər/

extensor

Meaning
a muscle that serves to extend or straighten a limb or part of the body.
Example
The extensor muscles in the arm help straighten the elbow.
B1 verb, noun /klɪp/

clip

Meaning
to cut or trim something; a short extract from a film, broadcast, or recording
Example
She clipped the coupon from the newspaper.
A2 verb /ˈɡæðər/

gather

Meaning
to come together or collect in one place; to assemble
Example
People gather in the park for the festival.
C2 adjective /ɔːˈɡʌst/

august

Meaning
Respected and impressive; inspiring reverence or admiration.
Example
The king entered the hall with an august presence.
C1 noun /əˌlɪtəˈreɪʃən/

alliteration

Meaning
the occurrence of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in close succession
Example
She used alliteration in her poem to add musicality.
C2 verb /pəˈræmbjʊˌleɪt/

perambulate

Meaning
To walk through or travel around, especially for leisure.
Example
They perambulated the old town, enjoying the sights.
A2 verb /ˈeksərsaɪz/

exercise

Meaning
to do physical activity; to use or practice
Example
I exercise at the gym three times a week.
B2 verb /ɪɡˈzædʒəˌreɪt/

exaggerate

Meaning
to describe something as better, worse, or more important than it really is
Example
He tends to exaggerate his achievements.
C1 noun /kwɪnˈtɛt/

quintet

Meaning
A group of five people or things, especially musicians.
Example
The jazz quintet performed beautifully.
C2 verb /ʌnˈjoʊk/

unyoke

Meaning
To release from a yoke or to free from restraint or obligation.
Example
The farmer unyoked the oxen after a long day of work.
C1 noun /ˈtwɪstər/

twister

Meaning
A tornado or something that twists; also refers to a challenging tongue twister.
Example
The twister destroyed several houses in the village.
C1 noun /ˈstɪm.jʊ.laɪ/

stimuli

Meaning
Things that create reactions or provide motivation.
Example
Bright light and loud sounds are common stimuli for alertness.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈænsɪləri/

ancillary

Meaning
providing necessary support to the main system or organization
Example
The company provides ancillary services to the healthcare industry.
B2 noun /ˈten.dən.si/

Tendency

Meaning
an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior
Example
She has a tendency to arrive late for meetings.
B2 noun /ˈmeɪnˌlænd/

mainland

Meaning
the principal landmass of a country or continent, as opposed to the surrounding islands
Example
The mainland of Australia is home to most of its population.
C2 noun /ˈmɔːreɪz/

mores

Meaning
the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community
Example
Social mores often dictate how people behave in public.
B2 noun /ˈrem.ə.di/

Remedy

Meaning
a medicine or treatment for a disease; a solution to a problem
Example
This herbal remedy helps with headaches.
B1 noun /ɪkˈsep.ʃən/

Exception

Meaning
a person or thing that is excluded from a general statement or does not follow a rule
Example
Most students passed the exam, with the exception of a few who were absent.
A1 adjective /kloʊzd/

closed

Meaning
not open; shut
Example
The store is closed on Fridays.
C1 noun /ˈænəɡræm/

anagram

Meaning
A word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
Example
The word 'listen' is an anagram of 'silent'.
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.
C2 verb /kənˈtɛm/

contemn

Meaning
to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt
Example
He would never contemn honest work, no matter how humble.
C2 adjective rɪˈtɛn.tɪv

retentive

Meaning
Having strong memory or the ability to retain information for a long time.
Example
Students with a retentive memory excel in academics.
C1 noun /ˌrɛfəˈrɛndəm/

referendum

Meaning
a general vote by the population on a single political issue
Example
The government held a referendum on the new constitution.
B1 adjective /ˈbrɪliənt/

brilliant

Meaning
Exceptionally clever, talented, or impressive; very bright or radiant.
Example
She gave a brilliant performance on stage.
A2 preposition /tɪl/

till

Meaning
up to the time of; until
Example
She waited till midnight for his call.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːr.tɪ.tjuːd/

fortitude

Meaning
Courage in pain or adversity; mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty.
Example
She faced adversity with great fortitude.
B2 noun /ˈkɒmpoʊst/

compost

Meaning
decayed organic matter used as fertilizer
Example
The gardener added compost to enrich the soil.
B2 adjective /ˌɪd.iˈɒt.ɪk/

Idiotic

Meaning
extremely stupid; foolish; senseless
Example
His idiotic behavior embarrassed everyone at the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪv.stɒk/

livestock

Meaning
farm animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs that are kept for use or profit
Example
The farmer raised livestock to supply meat and milk for the market.
B1 adjective /ˈmɪzərəbəl/

Miserable

Meaning
very unhappy; wretched; causing suffering
Example
He felt miserable after losing his job.
C2 adjective /ˈslæp.dæʃ/

slapdash

Meaning
done too quickly and carelessly; hasty and careless
Example
The report was written in a slapdash manner, full of errors.
C1 verb /ˌdɪsɪnˈtæŋɡl/

disentangle

Meaning
To free something or someone from a tangle or complication.
Example
She tried to disentangle her hair from the branches.
B1 noun rɪˈsɜː.tʃəz

researchers

Meaning
People who study and investigate to discover new information or facts.
Example
Researchers are working on innovative solutions.
B2 verb /wiːv/

weave

Meaning
to make cloth by interlacing threads; to move in and out
Example
She learned to weave beautiful carpets.
C1 adverb /əˈnjuː/

anew

Meaning
In a new or different way; once more.
Example
After the failure, she decided to start her life anew.
C2 verb /dɪˈbɔːtʃ/

debauch

Meaning
to corrupt morally; to lead into excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures
Example
The novel shows how wealth can debauch a person's character.
C1 adjective /ˌjuːtɪlɪˈtɛəriən/

utilitarian

Meaning
Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive; relating to the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.
Example
The building had a simple utilitarian design.
B2 noun /ˈpæn.ɪk/

Panic

Meaning
sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety; a state of widespread fear and anxiety
Example
The fire alarm caused panic among the students.
B2 noun /ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃən/

correlation

Meaning
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
Example
Researchers found a strong correlation between diet and heart disease.
C1 noun, verb /fɔːrd/

ford

Meaning
A shallow place in a river where one can cross; to cross a river at such a place.
Example
The travelers decided to ford the river at dawn.
B1 noun /ˈmɒr.əl/

Moral

Meaning
a lesson about right and wrong conduct; principles of right behavior
Example
The moral of the story is to always tell the truth.
C2 verb /feɪz/

faze

Meaning
to disturb or disconcert someone; to cause to feel unsettled
Example
She was not fazed by the unexpected question.
B2 adverb /prɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/

predominantly

Meaning
mainly; for the most part
Example
The population in the city is predominantly young.
C1 noun /aɪ/

aye

Meaning
an affirmative vote or expression of agreement
Example
The committee voted aye on the proposal.
B1 noun /ˈkærɪdʒ/

carriage

Meaning
a vehicle, typically a four-wheeled one, used for transporting goods or people, especially in the past
Example
The royal family traveled in a beautiful carriage during parades.
B2 noun /ˈɛseɪ/

essay

Meaning
A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
Example
She wrote an essay about climate change.
B1 noun ədˈvɛnʧər ˈsiːkərz

Adventure Seekers

Meaning
People who actively look for exciting and potentially risky activities or experiences.
Example
Sajek Valley is a popular destination for adventure seekers.
C1 adjective /ˌaɪdiəˈlɪstɪk/

Idealistic

Meaning
pursuing high principles or ideals; unrealistically optimistic
Example
She has an idealistic view of changing the world.
C2 adjective /ɪˈmɒdɪst/

immodest

Meaning
lacking humility or decency; excessively proud or improper
Example
His immodest remarks offended the audience.
B1 noun /træp/

Trap

Meaning
a device or enclosure designed to catch and retain animals, or a situation from which it is difficult to escape
Example
The mouse was caught in the trap overnight.
C2 verb /ʃiːð/

sheathe

Meaning
to put a sword or knife back into its cover
Example
He quickly sheathed his sword after the duel.
A1 pronoun /ˈʌðərz/

others

Meaning
people or things distinct from the ones already mentioned or known
Example
I like to spend time with others.
C1 noun flɛər

flair

Meaning
A natural ability to do something well.
Example
She has a flair for design, always creating visually stunning work.
B2 adjective əˈkwætɪk

aquatic

Meaning
Growing or living in or near water; of or relating to water.
Example
Aquatic species are being endangered by pollution.
B1 verb /ˈedɪt/

edit

Meaning
to make changes to improve or correct something
Example
I need to edit this document before submission.
C1 noun /ˈmɒdɪfaɪər/

modifier

Meaning
a word or element that changes, limits, or describes the meaning of another word; something that alters or adjusts
Example
In the phrase 'very cold', 'very' is a modifier of 'cold'.
C2 noun /bɪˈhiː.mɒθ/

behemoth

Meaning
Something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization.
Example
The company grew into a corporate behemoth.
A2 noun /sməʊk/

smoke

Meaning
A visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, typically one emitted from a burning substance.
Example
Smoke from vehicles worsens air quality.
C1 verb, noun /klɑːɡ/

clog

Meaning
to block or become blocked; a type of heavy wooden shoe
Example
The sink was clogged with food waste.
B2 noun ˈhæb.ɪt fɔːrˌmeɪ.ʃən

habit formation

Meaning
The process of creating a habit through regular practice and repetition.
Example
Habit formation requires consistency and discipline.
C2 noun /vɛkˈseɪʃən/

vexation

Meaning
the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried
Example
She could not hide her vexation after the repeated delays.
C1 adjective /ˈstoʊɪk/

stoic

Meaning
Showing little or no emotion, even in difficult situations.
Example
She remained stoic during the crisis, never showing fear or panic.
C1 noun /dɪˈkɔː.rəm/

Decorum

Meaning
behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety; dignified and appropriate conduct
Example
The diplomat maintained perfect decorum throughout the heated negotiations.
A2 adverb, conjunction /haʊˈɛvər/

however

Meaning
used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something previously said
Example
The journey was long; however, it was enjoyable.
C2 noun /ɪkˈspiːdiənsi/

expediency

Meaning
the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral
Example
He acted out of political expediency rather than principle.
A2 adjective /ˈloʊn.li/

Lonely

Meaning
solitary; isolated; without companions
Example
She felt lonely after moving to a new city.
C1 noun ˌmʌn.ɪ.taɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

monetization

Meaning
Converting an asset or service into a way of earning money.
Example
YouTube allows content creators to earn money through monetization.
B2 noun /ˈælkəhɒlɪzəm/

alcoholism

Meaning
A chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol.
Example
His alcoholism affected both his health and his family life.
C1 noun dɪˌtɪə.ri.əˈreɪ.ʃən

deterioration

Meaning
The process of becoming progressively worse; decline in quality, condition, or strength.
Example
Poor maintenance leads to material deterioration.
C2 verb /ˈkɒr.ʌ.skeɪt/

coruscate

Meaning
to sparkle or flash brightly
Example
The fireworks coruscated across the night sky.
C2 noun /pərˈsɪpiəns/

percipience

Meaning
The ability to perceive, understand, or notice things quickly.
Example
His percipience in reading people made him a great negotiator.
B2 verb, noun /sniːz/

sneeze

Meaning
to expel air involuntarily from the nose and mouth due to irritation; the act of sneezing
Example
I had to sneeze during the meeting.
C2 noun /ˌrækənˈtɜːr/

Raconteur

Meaning
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
Example
The old man was a gifted raconteur who entertained everyone with his stories.
C2 adjective /rɪˈflɛktɪbəl/

reflectible

Meaning
capable of being reflected, as light or an image
Example
The surface of the lake is highly reflectible in the morning sun.
C2 noun /hɜːrs/

Hearse

Meaning
a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral; a funeral car
Example
The black hearse slowly made its way to the cemetery, followed by a procession of mourners.
B2 noun /ɡlɪmps/

Glimpse

Meaning
a momentary or partial view; a brief look or sight of something
Example
Through the window, I caught a glimpse of the beautiful garden behind the house.
C2 adjective /juːˈfoʊniəs/

euphonious

Meaning
Pleasing to the ear; having a sweet sound.
Example
The poet's euphonious language made the verse a delight to read.
A1 verb /liːv/

leave

Meaning
to go away from; to depart or exit
Example
The train leaves at 6 PM.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnkəmˈprɛsəbl/

incompressible

Meaning
Not able to be pressed or squeezed into a smaller space.
Example
Liquids are generally considered incompressible.
A1 adjective /ˈwelkəm/

Welcome

Meaning
received with pleasure; giving pleasure; allowed or invited
Example
You are always welcome in our home.
A2 adjective /ˈmeɪdʒər/

major

Meaning
important, serious, or significant
Example
Climate change is a major concern for the world.
C2 noun ˈlɪɡ.nəʊˌsæt

LignoSat

Meaning
A wooden satellite that demonstrates the use of wood in space technology.
Example
LignoSat demonstrates the use of wood in space.
A2 noun /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/

dining

Meaning
the act of eating a meal, especially in a formal setting
Example
We enjoyed fine dining at the new restaurant.
B2 noun /ˈtoʊ.kən/

token

Meaning
A symbol or object that represents something, often given as a sign of appreciation or as a substitute for money.
Example
She gave him a small gift as a token of gratitude.
C1 adjective /ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/

preferential

Meaning
showing or giving advantage to one over others
Example
Members receive preferential treatment at the club.
C1 noun /ˈdʒɪŋ.ɡəl/

Jingle

Meaning
a light ringing sound such as that made by metal objects being shaken together; a short catchy song
Example
The jingle of keys could be heard as she walked down the hallway.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/

Unexpected

Meaning
not expected or anticipated; surprising
Example
The unexpected news left everyone speechless.
B2 adverb /ʌnˈkɒnʃəsli/

unconsciously

Meaning
without being aware of one's actions or surroundings
Example
She unconsciously tapped her foot to the rhythm of the music.
C1 adjective /ˈvɛnərəbəl/

Venerable

Meaning
deserving respect due to age, wisdom, or character; revered
Example
The venerable professor has taught at the university for fifty years.
A1 pronoun /jɔːrz/

yours

Meaning
belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing
Example
This pen is yours.
B1 noun /mæsk/

Mask

Meaning
covering for the face or head; disguise or protection
Example
She wore a mask to protect herself from dust.
C2 noun /dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən/

dilapidation

Meaning
The state of disrepair or ruin as a result of neglect.
Example
The old temple was in a state of dilapidation.
C2 noun /ɪˌdʒækjʊˈleɪʃən/

ejaculation

Meaning
The action of suddenly saying something or the release of semen during sexual climax.
Example
His sudden ejaculation of joy surprised everyone in the room.
C2 noun /ˈbærəˌɡræf/

barograph

Meaning
an instrument that records changes in atmospheric pressure
Example
The scientist checked the barograph for pressure variations.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈkoʊətɪv/

inchoative

Meaning
relating to the beginning of something; in an initial stage
Example
The poet used inchoative expressions to depict the dawn of creation.
C2 verb /ˌmɪskənˈstruː/

misconstrue

Meaning
To interpret something wrongly or misunderstand the meaning.
Example
She misconstrued his silence as anger.
C2 noun /ˈɑːriə/

aria

Meaning
a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, typically in an opera
Example
The soprano performed a moving aria during the second act.
B2 noun /daɪˈnæmɪks/

dynamics

Meaning
the forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process
Example
The dynamics of the team changed after the new manager joined.
A1 noun /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/

example

Meaning
a thing or person regarded as a model to be followed or avoided
Example
He is a good example of a hardworking student.
C1 verb /ˈflaʊndər/

flounder

Meaning
To struggle or stagger clumsily; to experience difficulty or confusion.
Example
He floundered in the interview when asked difficult questions.
B2 noun ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəlz

intellectuals

Meaning
People possessing a highly developed intellect; scholars or academics.
Example
Intellectuals protested against the dominance.
B1 adjective /ɪnˌθjuːziˈæstɪk/

enthusiastic

Meaning
Having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Example
The explorers were enthusiastic about the journey.
C1 noun /ɪnˈtaɪərəti/

entirety

Meaning
the whole of something; the complete form
Example
He watched the movie in its entirety.
C1 noun ˌmɪsˈmænɪdʒmənt

mismanagement

Meaning
Bad or careless management of something.
Example
Mismanagement of plastic waste worsens pollution.
C2 verb /bɪˈnʌm/

benumb

Meaning
to make physically numb or without sensation; to make mentally dull or insensitive
Example
The freezing wind seemed to benumb his fingers within minutes.
B2 noun ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ kɑːrz

flying cars

Meaning
Vehicles that can travel both on roads and in the air.
Example
Flying cars could soon solve urban traffic congestion.
C1 verb /səbˈsɪst/

subsist

Meaning
To maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.
Example
Many villagers still subsist on fishing and farming.
B2 noun /ˈbæŋkrʌpt/

Bankrupt

Meaning
a person unable to pay debts; having no money; completely lacking in something
Example
The company went bankrupt after years of poor financial management.
B2 adjective /ˈskætərd/

Scattered

Meaning
spread widely apart; dispersed; occurring here and there
Example
Scattered showers are expected throughout the day.