Secular
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C1 adjective /ˈsek.j ə.l ər/

Secular

Meaning
not connected with religious or spiritual matters; worldly
Example
The country maintains a secular government that separates religion from politics.
C1 verb /ˌʌndəˈreɪt/

underrate

Meaning
to fail to recognize the full value or importance of something or someone
Example
Many people underrate the benefits of regular exercise.
C1 noun /ˈbɑːr.tər ˌsɪs.təm/

barter system

Meaning
A system of exchange where goods and services are traded directly without using money.
Example
Ancient civilizations used the barter system for trade.
C1 noun /rɪft/

rift

Meaning
a serious break in a relationship; a split or crack
Example
A rift developed between the two friends after the argument.
C1 verb /əˈkrɛdɪt/

accredit

Meaning
to officially recognize, authorize, or approve someone or something
Example
The university is accredited by the national education board.
C1 noun /ˈʌp.raɪt.nəs/

Uprightness

Meaning
the quality of being honest and morally correct; integrity
Example
His uprightness in business dealings earned him great respect.
C1 noun /ˈskwɒlər/

squalor

Meaning
the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially due to poverty or neglect
Example
They lived in squalor without basic facilities.
C1 adjective /ˈpʊʃi/

pushy

Meaning
excessively assertive or aggressive, often annoyingly so
Example
The salesperson was too pushy, which drove customers away.
C1 noun /ˈswɪndlɚ/

swindler

Meaning
a person who cheats or deceives others for money or gain
Example
The police finally caught the notorious swindler.
C1 noun /ˈɡaɪ.zər/

geyser

Meaning
A natural hot spring that intermittently ejects a column of water and steam into the air.
Example
The geyser erupted, shooting water high into the sky.
C1 adjective /ˌɔːtəˈkrætɪk/

autocratic

Meaning
Relating to a ruler who has absolute power and does not consult others.
Example
The manager’s autocratic style discouraged employees from sharing their ideas.
C1 noun /ˈbæləd/

ballad

Meaning
a narrative song or poem, often sentimental or romantic
Example
The singer performed a moving ballad about lost love.
C1 adjective /kɪˈnɛtɪk/

kinetic

Meaning
Relating to or resulting from motion.
Example
Kinetic energy increases as the object moves faster.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪtən/

heighten

Meaning
to make or become greater in intensity or degree
Example
The announcement served to heighten the excitement in the room.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪzərli/

miserly

Meaning
Unwilling to spend money; stingy.
Example
She lived a miserly life, refusing to buy anything new.
C1 noun /ˈrem.nənt/

Remnant

Meaning
a small remaining quantity of something; a piece of cloth left over after the main piece has been used
Example
Only a remnant of the ancient wall remains.
C1 noun /ˈmʌs.tərd siːdz/

Mustard seeds

Meaning
small round seeds from the mustard plant, used as a spice and for making mustard condiment
Example
Mustard seeds are often tempered in hot oil to release their nutty flavor before adding to dishes.
C1 adjective /ˈprɛdəˌtɔri/

predatory

Meaning
Relating to animals that prey on others; exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.
Example
The predatory bird swooped down on its prey.
C1 noun /ˈmænɪkɪn/

mannequin

Meaning
a life-sized model of a human figure used by shops to display clothes
Example
The mannequin in the shop window was dressed in a red gown.
C1 adjective /prəˈpɔːrʃənət/

proportionate

Meaning
Corresponding in size, degree, or intensity; balanced in relation.
Example
The punishment should be proportionate to the crime.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl/

inconsequential

Meaning
Not important or significant; too small to matter.
Example
The mistake was minor and inconsequential.
C1 adjective /stiːpt/

steeped

Meaning
Completely surrounded by or filled with a particular quality, influence, or experience.
Example
The town is steeped in history and tradition.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/

unforeseen

Meaning
Not anticipated or predicted; unexpected.
Example
The project faced unforeseen challenges that delayed its completion.
C1 verb /ʌnˈɜːθ/

unearth

Meaning
To dig up from the ground or to discover something hidden.
Example
Archaeologists unearthed ancient artifacts at the site.
C1 verb /sɪft/

sift

Meaning
to separate or sort through carefully, often using a sieve or by examining closely
Example
She sifted the flour before adding it to the cake mixture.
C1 adjective /rɪˈstreɪnd/

restrained

Meaning
characterized by reserve or self-control; held back
Example
Her restrained reaction surprised everyone.
C1 adverb /ˈpiːs.miːl/

Piecemeal

Meaning
done or made gradually, one piece at a time; fragmentary; unsystematic
Example
The renovation was done piecemeal over several years due to budget constraints.
C1 noun /ˌtes.tɪˈmoʊ.ni.əl/

Testimonial

Meaning
a formal statement testifying to someone's character and qualifications
Example
The professor wrote a glowing testimonial for her former student.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈspiːkəbl/

unspeakable

Meaning
too bad or shocking to be expressed in words
Example
The survivors endured unspeakable horrors during the war.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈɒnəd/

unhonoured

Meaning
not respected or given the recognition that is deserved; treated without honor
Example
He felt unhonoured after his years of service were ignored.
C1 noun /ˈɪn.floʊ/

inflow

Meaning
The movement of things such as money, people, or water into a place.
Example
The inflow of tourists boosted the local economy.
C1 noun /ˈtaɪ.ɡrəs/

Tigress

Meaning
an adult female tiger
Example
The powerful tigress hunted silently through the jungle.
C1 verb /ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/

encircle

Meaning
to form a circle around something
Example
The protesters encircled the building in a human chain.
C1 adjective /ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl/

Suicidal

Meaning
relating to or having thoughts of killing oneself; extremely dangerous or harmful
Example
The reckless driving was suicidal behavior.
C1 adjective /ˈvɛrɪtəbl/

veritable

Meaning
used to emphasize that something is genuine or true
Example
The house was a veritable palace compared to ours.
C1 noun /ˈbaɪoʊˌsfɪr/

Biosphere

Meaning
the regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth occupied by living organisms
Example
Climate change is affecting the entire biosphere.
C1 noun /ˈdaʊn.pɔːr/

Downpour

Meaning
a heavy fall of rain; a sudden heavy rainfall
Example
The sudden downpour caught everyone off guard and soaked the outdoor event.
C1 verb /ˈkʌl.mɪ.neɪt/

culminate

Meaning
To reach the final or climactic stage of a process or activity.
Example
Years of hard work culminated in his success.
C1 verb /rɪˈnaʊns/

renounce

Meaning
to formally declare rejection of something, such as a claim, belief, or way of life
Example
She renounced her citizenship to move abroad permanently.
C1 verb /səbˈstænʃieɪt/

substantiate

Meaning
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
Example
The lawyer worked to substantiate the claims with solid evidence.
C1 verb /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/

pillage

Meaning
to rob or plunder a place, especially during war
Example
The invading army pillaged the village and took all valuables.
C1 noun /ˈiːɡoʊˌɪzəm/

egoism

Meaning
An ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality; also, excessive preoccupation with oneself.
Example
His decisions were often driven by egoism rather than concern for others.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpæsəbəl/

impassable

Meaning
Impossible to travel along or over.
Example
The road became impassable after the heavy snowfall.
C1 adjective /dɪˈɡreɪdɪd/

degraded

Meaning
Reduced in quality, dignity, or condition.
Example
The villagers were forced to live in degraded conditions.
C1 adjective /ˈhæpləs/

hapless

Meaning
unfortunate, unlucky, deserving pity
Example
The hapless traveler lost his passport on the very first day.
C1 verb /əˈliː.vi.eɪt/

alleviate

Meaning
To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe; to relieve or ease.
Example
Meditation can alleviate stress and improve focus.
C1 noun /ˈdʒuː.və.naɪl/

Juvenile

Meaning
a young person below the age of adult criminal responsibility; relating to young people
Example
The juvenile court handles cases involving young offenders under eighteen.
C1 adjective /ˈswɛltərɪŋ/

sweltering

Meaning
uncomfortably hot
Example
The sweltering heat made it hard to work.
C1 adjective /ˌmer.ɪˈtɔː.ri.əs/

Meritorious

Meaning
deserving reward or praise; commendable; worthy of recognition
Example
His meritorious service to the community was recognized.
C1 noun /ˈdjuːplɛks/

duplex

Meaning
A house or apartment divided into two separate residences.
Example
They live in a duplex near the city center.
C1 noun /ɪnˈkrəʊtʃmənt/

encroachment

Meaning
the act of gradually intruding or taking over someone’s rights, land, or space
Example
The villagers protested against the encroachment on their farmland.
C1 verb /uːz/

ooze

Meaning
to slowly flow or leak out through small openings or pores
Example
Blood began to ooze from the small cut.
C1 noun /ˈæbdəmən/

abdomen

Meaning
The part of the body below the chest and above the hips that contains the stomach and other organs.
Example
He complained of pain in his abdomen.
C1 verb /sluː/

slew

Meaning
To turn or slide violently in a particular direction.
Example
The car slewed across the icy road.
C1 verb /ˌriːəˈdʒʌst/

readjust

Meaning
To change or move something again in order to achieve a better fit, condition, or balance.
Example
He readjusted the chair to make it more comfortable.
C1 adjective /ˌɔː.riˈen.təl/

Oriental

Meaning
relating to the countries of East Asia; eastern
Example
The museum has a beautiful collection of oriental art.
C1 verb /ˌaʊtˈweɪ/

outweigh

Meaning
To be more important, valuable, or significant than something else.
Example
The benefits of the new policy outweigh the risks.
C1 adjective /ɪˈklɛktɪk/

eclectic

Meaning
Selecting or deriving ideas, styles, or tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources.
Example
Her taste in music is eclectic, ranging from classical to hip-hop.
C1 noun /diːˌtɒksɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

detoxification

Meaning
The process of removing toxic substances from a living organism.
Example
Detoxification helps to cleanse the body of harmful substances.
C1 noun /ɡlɔːs/

Gloss

Meaning
a shiny or lustrous surface finish; a superficially attractive appearance; lip gloss
Example
She applied a clear gloss to her lips to give them a shiny, healthy appearance.
C1 adjective /ˌret.rəˈspek.tɪv/

Retrospective

Meaning
looking back on or dealing with past events or situations
Example
The museum held a retrospective exhibition of the artist's work.
C1 noun /tɒŋ/

tong

Meaning
a tool with two movable arms used to pick up and hold objects
Example
He used the tong to pick up the hot coal.
C1 noun /ˈpɪnəkəl/

pinnacle

Meaning
the highest point or peak of something, especially of success or achievement
Example
Winning the Nobel Prize was the pinnacle of her career.
C1 noun /rɪˈpen.təns/

Repentance

Meaning
the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse
Example
His genuine repentance moved everyone in the courtroom.
C1 adjective /ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv/

inattentive

Meaning
not paying attention; lacking focus or concentration
Example
The inattentive student missed several important instructions.
C1 noun /ˈpetɪkoʊt/

Petti-coat

Meaning
an undergarment worn by women under a dress or skirt
Example
She wore a white petticoat under her dress.
C1 noun /ɪnˈsaɪtmənt/

incitement

Meaning
the action of provoking unlawful or violent behavior
Example
He was arrested for incitement to riot.
C1 adjective /prəˈdɪdʒəs/

prodigious

Meaning
remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree
Example
The team made a prodigious effort to complete the project on time.
C1 noun /əˌsæsɪˈneɪʃən/

assassination

Meaning
The act of killing someone important, often for political or ideological reasons.
Example
The assassination of the president shocked the nation.
C1 adjective /pɜːrt/

pert

Meaning
attractively lively or cheeky in manner or style
Example
She gave a pert reply that made everyone laugh.
C1 adjective ˌbjʊə.rəˈkræt.ɪk

bureaucratic

Meaning
Involving or characterized by complex rules and procedures that can delay the achievement of goals.
Example
Bureaucratic red tape often delays project approvals.
C1 noun /faɪˈnælɪti/

finality

Meaning
the quality of being final or irreversible; a sense of conclusiveness
Example
The judge's decision gave the case a sense of finality.
C1 verb /ˈhaɪbərˌneɪt/

hibernate

Meaning
To spend the winter in a dormant state, as some animals do.
Example
Bears hibernate in caves during the winter.
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 noun /kəˈnɛəri/

canary

Meaning
a small, usually yellow bird known for its singing; also used as a warning sign in dangerous conditions
Example
The canary sang beautifully in its cage.
C1 noun ˈhaɪ.drə.dʒən ˈpaʊ.əd bʌsɪz

hydrogen-powered buses

Meaning
Buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells that produce only water vapor as emission.
Example
Hydrogen-powered buses reduce air pollution.
C1 noun /kuː/

coup

Meaning
a sudden, decisive action that brings about a change, especially in government
Example
The military staged a coup to overthrow the existing regime.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌn.dʒənt/

Pungent

Meaning
sharp; strong-smelling; acrid;
Example
The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
C1 noun /ˈkɒndɪmənts/

condiments

Meaning
Seasonings or sauces used to add flavor to food.
Example
Ketchup and mustard are popular condiments for burgers.
C1 noun, adjective /dɪˈrɪvətɪv/

derivative

Meaning
Something that is based on another source; in math, a measure of how a function changes.
Example
The film was criticized for being too derivative of earlier works.
C1 noun /ˈæspɪrənt/

aspirant

Meaning
a person who seeks or hopes to achieve a position of honor or advancement
Example
She is an aspirant for the university's top scholarship.
C1 noun ɪˌlæˈstɪs.ə.ti

elasticity

Meaning
The responsiveness of demand or supply to changes in price.
Example
The elasticity of demand for luxury goods is high.
C1 verb /ˈtæmpər/

tamper

Meaning
To interfere with something in a harmful, unauthorized, or improper way.
Example
The evidence was tampered with before the trial.
C1 adjective /hɜːrˈbɪv.ər.əs/

Herbivorous

Meaning
feeding on plants; plant-eating
Example
Cows are herbivorous animals that graze on grass.
C1 noun /ˌmɑːr.kɪ.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/

marketability

Meaning
The possibility of commercial success for a product or service
Example
The new product's marketability depends on consumer demand.
C1 noun /ɡræft/

Graft

Meaning
a shoot or twig inserted into a slit on the trunk of a living tree to form a new growth; corruption in politics or business
Example
The gardener used a graft to combine different varieties of apple trees.
C1 noun /ˈɔːr.ə.tɔːr.i/

oratory

Meaning
The art of public speaking; skilled and confident delivery of speeches to an audience.
Example
His exceptional oratory skills won him the debate competition.
C1 adjective /ˈɔːrəl/

aural

Meaning
Relating to the ear or the sense of hearing.
Example
The lecture was an aural experience as well as an intellectual one.
C1 noun /ˈdɛljuːdʒ/

deluge

Meaning
A severe flood; an overwhelming quantity of something.
Example
The town was hit by a deluge of rain in just a few hours.
C1 noun /ˈheɪˌdeɪ/

heyday

Meaning
The period of greatest success, popularity, or power.
Example
In its heyday, the company dominated the market.
C1 noun/verb /ˈɪmprɪnt/

imprint

Meaning
A mark or impression made by pressure; to establish or fix firmly in someone's mind.
Example
The event left an indelible imprint on the city's history.
C1 noun /ˈmiːdieɪtər/

Mediator

Meaning
A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict agree
Example
The United Nations often acts as a mediator in international disputes.
C1 noun /rɪˈfɜːrər/

referrer

Meaning
a person who directs someone to another person or service
Example
The referrer earned a bonus for recommending a new client.
C1 verb /dɪˈfeɪm/

defame

Meaning
to harm someone's reputation by spreading false information
Example
He was defamed by malicious rumors.
C1 adjective /əˈmiːnəbl/

amenable

Meaning
willing to cooperate or be influenced; open to suggestions
Example
She was amenable to the idea of working longer hours.
C1 noun kəˈrəʊ.ʒən

corrosion

Meaning
The gradual destruction of materials by chemical or electrochemical reaction, especially of metals by oxidation.
Example
Corrosion in pipes leads to leakage.
C1 noun /ˈfʌŋɡəs/

fungus

Meaning
a spore-producing organism feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, and mushrooms
Example
A strange fungus was growing on the old tree.
C1 noun /ˈæk.jʊ.mən/

acumen

Meaning
The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions; keenness and depth of perception.
Example
His business acumen helped the company grow rapidly.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈseɪvəri/

unsavory

Meaning
Disagreeable, unpleasant, or morally offensive.
Example
The politician was linked to an unsavory scandal.
C1 noun /ˈleɪ.tən.si/

latency

Meaning
The delay in processing signals or data.
Example
High latency in online gaming can cause lagging issues.
C1 noun /stents/

stents

Meaning
Small mesh tubes used to treat narrow or blocked arteries.
Example
Stents were successfully placed using robotic techniques.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈbrɔɪld/

embroiled

Meaning
being deeply involved in a difficult situation, conflict, or scandal
Example
She found herself embroiled in a heated family dispute.
C1 noun /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəˌbɪləti/

unpredictability

Meaning
The quality of being impossible to predict or anticipate.
Example
The unpredictability of the weather made the trip uncertain.
C1 noun /ˈlʌstər/

luster

Meaning
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially from a polished surface
Example
The diamond had a brilliant luster.
C1 noun /ˈprɒvɪdəns/

providence

Meaning
the protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power; foresight or prudence
Example
They believed their survival was due to divine providence.
C1 verb /əbˈdʌkt/

abduct

Meaning
to take someone away illegally by force or deception
Example
The criminal tried to abduct the child in broad daylight.
C1 noun ˌvɜː.səˈtɪl.ɪ.ti

versatility

Meaning
Ability to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities; having many different skills.
Example
His versatility made him successful in multiple fields.
C1 noun /ˈpæŋkriəs/

pancreas

Meaning
A gland in the abdomen that produces insulin and digestive enzymes.
Example
The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion and blood sugar regulation.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈʃeɪkən/

Unshaken

Meaning
not disturbed or affected; firm and steady; unwavering
Example
Her faith remained unshaken despite all the challenges.
C1 adjective /ˈærəbəl/

arable

Meaning
suitable for growing crops or farming
Example
The farmer purchased arable land to expand his crops.
C1 adjective /dɪˈvɔɪd/

devoid

Meaning
Completely lacking or without something.
Example
His speech was devoid of any real emotion.
C1 adjective /ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪd/

understated

Meaning
Presented in a subtle and restrained way.
Example
She wore an elegant but understated dress.
C1 verb /snɪp/

snip

Meaning
to cut something quickly with scissors or a sharp tool
Example
She snipped the loose thread from her dress.
C1 adjective /bɪˈmjuːzd/

bemused

Meaning
confused, puzzled, or lost in thought
Example
She looked bemused when he asked the strange question.
C1 verb /ɪnˈdɪr/

endear

Meaning
To cause someone to be loved or liked.
Example
Her kindness and generosity endeared her to the community.
C1 adjective /ˈtʌf.tɪd/

Tufted

Meaning
having a tuft or tufts; furnished with a tuft or clump of threads, hairs, or other material
Example
The tufted sofa looked elegant in the living room.
C1 adjective /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/

exhilarating

Meaning
Making someone feel very excited, happy, or thrilled.
Example
Skydiving was the most exhilarating experience of his life.
C1 verb /pərˈplɛks/

perplex

Meaning
To confuse or puzzle someone.
Example
The complex instructions perplexed the students.
C1 adjective /tɛk ˈdrɪv.ən/

tech-driven

Meaning
Powered or guided by technology; dependent on technological advancement for operation.
Example
The agricultural sector is becoming more tech-driven for higher efficiency.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.də.bəl/

laudable

Meaning
Deserving praise and admiration.
Example
Her efforts to help the poor are truly laudable.
C1 adjective əsˈtjuːt

astute

Meaning
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example
His astute observations helped solve the complex problem.