C1 verb /ˈsɛvər/

sever

Meaning

to cut off or separate, especially by cutting; to end a connection or relationship

Example

He had to sever ties with the company after the dispute.

C1 adjective ˌsʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl

subliminal

Meaning

Existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; perceived by or affecting someone's mind without their being aware of it.

Example

Advertisements often have subliminal messages.

A1 noun /siː/

Sea

Meaning

a large body of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface

Example

We went swimming in the sea.

C1 verb /ˈsnɪkər/

snicker

Meaning

to laugh quietly in a disrespectful or mocking way

Example

The students snickered when the teacher made a mistake.

C1 adjective /ˌsɛlf ɪˈfeɪsɪŋ/

self-effacing

Meaning

not drawing attention to oneself; modest

Example

Despite his success, he remained self-effacing and humble.

B2 adjective /ˈsʌt.əl/

subtle

Meaning

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe; making use of clever and indirect methods.

Example

The artist's use of color was subtle yet powerful.

C1 adjective /ˈseɪlaɪn/

Saline

Meaning

containing salt; salty; relating to salt water

Example

The saline solution is used for medical treatments.

B2 adjective /stəˈtɪstɪkəl/

statistical

Meaning

relating to the use or analysis of numerical data

Example

The report provides statistical data about population growth.

C2 noun /ˌself əˈbeɪs.mənt/

self-abasement

Meaning

The act of belittling or humiliating oneself.

Example

His constant self-abasement made others uncomfortable.

B2 noun /ˌsɛlf ɪˈstiːm/

self-esteem

Meaning

confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect

Example

Building self-esteem takes time and consistent effort.

B1 adjective /ˈsʌm.wʌt/

Somewhat

Meaning

to some extent; rather; moderately

Example

The movie was somewhat interesting but not great.

C1 verb /sʌlk/

sulk

Meaning

to be silent and bad-tempered because you are angry or disappointed

Example

She sulked in her room after the argument.

B2 noun /ˈsaɪrən/

siren

Meaning

A device that makes a loud prolonged sound as a signal or warning; in mythology, a creature that lures sailors with enchanting songs.

Example

The police car passed with its siren blaring.

C1 noun /ˈskeɪ.biːz/

Scabies

Meaning

a contagious skin disease caused by mites that causes intense itching

Example

The doctor diagnosed him with scabies after examining the rash.

C1 noun /ˈspiːʃiː/

specie

Meaning

money in the form of coins rather than notes or credit

Example

The transaction was made in specie.

B1 noun /ˌsaʊθˈiːst/

southeast

Meaning

the direction that is between south and east; a region in that direction

Example

The city is located in the southeast of the country.

C1 adjective /ˈsnɒbɪʃ/

snobbish

Meaning

having or showing the attitude of people who think they are better than others

Example

She seemed snobbish because she avoided talking to the waiters.

C1 noun, verb /ˈskʌf.əl/

scuffle

Meaning

a short, confused fight or struggle; to engage in such a fight

Example

Two players scuffled on the field after the foul.

C2 noun /ˈsælvoʊ/

salvo

Meaning

A simultaneous discharge of guns or release of bombs; a sudden outburst of cheers or applause.

Example

The soldiers fired a salvo to honor the fallen general.

B2 noun /ʃɪt/

shit

Meaning

a vulgar term for feces or excrement

Example

The dog made a mess by leaving its shit on the floor.

B2 adjective ˈstrʌktʃərd

structured

Meaning

Having a clear organization or framework; systematically arranged.

Example

A structured execution plan is crucial for success.

C1 noun /ˌsɛnsəˈbɪləti/

Sensibility

Meaning

the ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences; sensitivity

Example

Her artistic sensibility made her appreciate fine details in paintings.

C1 verb /ˈʃrɪvəl/

shrivel

Meaning

To become dry, wrinkled, and smaller due to lack of moisture.

Example

The flowers shriveled under the hot sun.

B1 noun /ˈsteɪtəs/

status

Meaning

the social or professional position or condition of someone or something

Example

His social status improved after the promotion.

C2 verb /ˈsnʌfəl/

snuffle

Meaning

to breathe noisily through the nose, often because of crying or a cold

Example

The child began to snuffle after crying for a long time.

C1 adjective /ˈsɪlkən/

Silken

Meaning

made of silk; smooth and soft like silk

Example

She wore a beautiful silken dress to the party.

A2 verb /sɔːrt/

sort

Meaning

to arrange or categorize something

Example

Please sort the files by date.

B2 adjective /sə'spɪʃ.əs/

Suspicious

Meaning

having or showing distrust; doubtful; questionable

Example

The police found his behavior very suspicious.

B1 noun /ʃel/

Shell

Meaning

hard outer covering of an animal; explosive projectile for a gun

Example

The artillery fired a shell at the enemy position.

A1 verb /ˈstʌdi/

study

Meaning

to learn about something; to examine carefully; to research

Example

I study mathematics every evening.

C2 verb /ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt/

supplicate

Meaning

To ask for something earnestly or humbly, often in a religious context.

Example

The villagers supplicated the gods for rain during the drought.

C1 noun /straɪf/

strife

Meaning

angry or violent conflict; struggle or discord

Example

The region has been torn apart by political strife.

A2 noun /ˈsuː.pəˌmɑː.kɪt/

supermarket

Meaning

a large self-service store selling food and household goods

Example

She went to the supermarket to buy groceries.

A2 noun /steɪdʒ/

stage

Meaning

a raised platform or area for performances or presentations

Example

The actor stepped onto the stage to deliver his speech.

B2 adjective, noun /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

singular

Meaning

Remarkable, extraordinary; or grammatical form referring to one person or thing.

Example

She has a singular talent for painting.

B1 adverb /ˈsekəndli/

secondly

Meaning

Used to introduce the second point in a list of arguments or ideas.

Example

Firstly, we need funding; secondly, we need a strong team.

B2 verb /səˈsteɪn/

sustain

Meaning

To support, maintain, or keep something going over time.

Example

The team worked hard to sustain their success.

B1 noun /steɪk/

steak

Meaning

a thick slice of meat, typically beef, cooked by grilling or frying

Example

He ordered a grilled steak with vegetables.

C1 noun /ˌsɛlf ɪnˈdʌldʒəns/

self-indulgence

Meaning

The act of allowing oneself to enjoy pleasures or desires excessively.

Example

His weekend of self-indulgence included eating sweets and watching movies nonstop.

B1 noun /ˈʃel.tər/

Shelter

Meaning

a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger

Example

The hikers found shelter in a cave during the heavy rain.

B1 noun ˈsɪs.təmz

systems

Meaning

A set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole.

Example

Effective systems improve productivity.

B1 verb /stɛə/

stare

Meaning

to look at something with a fixed gaze

Example

She stared at the painting for hours.

B1 noun /ˈsɪɡ.nəl/

Signal

Meaning

a gesture, action, or sound that conveys information or instruction

Example

The traffic signal turned red, so we stopped.

A1 adjective /ˈspɛʃəl/

special

Meaning

different from what is usual; better or greater than normal

Example

This gift is very special to me.

B1 adjective /ˌstreɪtˈfɔːwəd/

straightforward

Meaning

easy to understand or do; simple

Example

Her explanation was straightforward and clear.

C1 adjective /ˈsliːzi/

sleazy

Meaning

morally low, dirty, or cheap in quality

Example

He avoided the sleazy nightclub downtown.

A2 noun /ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/

Situation

Meaning

a set of circumstances in which one finds oneself; a state of affairs

Example

We need to assess the current situation before making any decisions.

B2 verb /ˈsɪmplɪfaɪ/

simplify

Meaning

to make easier to understand or do; to reduce complexity

Example

The teacher simplified the complex equation for the students.

C1 noun /ˈstɒpɪdʒ/

stoppage

Meaning

The act of stopping or ceasing; a halt in operation or activity

Example

The sudden stoppage of the train caused delays for all passengers.

B1 noun /ˈsʌb.stəns/

Substance

Meaning

a particular kind of matter with uniform properties; the essential nature of something; material or content

Example

The scientist analyzed the unknown substance in the laboratory.

B2 phrase ˈsɛvən ˈhæbɪts

seven habits

Meaning

Regular behaviors or actions that are done consistently over time, specifically referring to a set of seven key practices.

Example

Even habits help in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

C1 noun /səbˈdʒɛkʃən/

subjection

Meaning

the act of bringing someone or something under control or domination

Example

The people suffered under the subjection of a cruel ruler.

B2 noun /ˈsteɪdiəm/

stadium

Meaning

a large structure with seating for sports, concerts, or other events

Example

Thousands of fans filled the stadium to watch the final match.

C1 noun /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

sustainable agriculture

Meaning

Farming practices that meet current food needs while preserving environmental resources and maintaining the ability to produce food for future generations through ecologically sound methods.

Example

Sustainable agriculture practices protect the environment while ensuring food security.

C1 verb, adjective, noun /spruːs/

spruce

Meaning

to make neat or tidy in appearance; also refers to an evergreen tree

Example

He spruced up his room before the guests arrived.

C1 noun ˈsʌs.tɪ.nəns

Sustenance

Meaning

Food or support necessary for sustaining life

Example

Water is essential for human sustenance.

C2 noun /stɛp/

steppe

Meaning

A large flat area of unforested grassland, especially in southeastern Europe or Siberia.

Example

The nomads traveled across the vast steppe with their herds.

B2 adjective /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

striking

Meaning

very noticeable or impressive in appearance or effect

Example

Her striking beauty caught everyone's attention.

B2 noun /ˈsɪmpəθi/

Sympathy

Meaning

feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune

Example

She expressed her sympathy for the victims of the accident.

C1 adjective /ʃrɪl/

shrill

Meaning

High-pitched and piercing in sound.

Example

The shrill whistle startled everyone in the room.

B2 verb /spreɪ/

spray

Meaning

to apply liquid to something in a fine mist

Example

She sprayed perfume on her wrist before leaving.

C1 noun /ˌsʌb.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/

substitution

Meaning

the action of replacing someone or something with another

Example

The substitution of the old system with the new one was difficult.

C1 noun /səˈprɛʃən/

suppression

Meaning

the act of forcibly stopping something or holding back feelings or actions

Example

The suppression of free speech led to protests.

B1 adjective /ˈsplendɪd/

Splendid

Meaning

magnificent; excellent; very impressive

Example

The castle looked splendid in the sunset.

B1 verb /ˈstɒpɪŋ/

stopping

Meaning

Coming to a halt or pause.

Example

The ship is stopping at the Falkland Islands.

C1 noun /ˈstaɪpend/

Stipend

Meaning

a fixed regular sum paid as a salary or allowance

Example

The research student receives a monthly stipend for living expenses.

C1 noun /ˌsəʊʃəˈbɪləti/

sociability

Meaning

The quality or state of being sociable; friendliness.

Example

Her sociability made her popular in the office.

B2 adjective /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl/

surgical

Meaning

relating to or involving surgery

Example

She underwent surgical treatment to repair the damage.

B2 noun /sɪˈver.ə.ti/

Severity

Meaning

the quality of being extremely serious or harsh; intensity of something bad

Example

The severity of the storm caused widespread damage across the city.

C1 verb /smɪr/

smear

Meaning

to spread or apply a substance messily; to damage someone's reputation with false or unfair words

Example

The child smeared paint across the wall.

B2 adjective /ˈʃɔːrt ˌsaɪtɪd/

Short-sighted

Meaning

lacking foresight or consideration for the future; myopic

Example

His short-sighted decision to quit school early affected his career prospects.

A1 noun /suːp/

Soup

Meaning

a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, or other ingredients in water

Example

I had a bowl of chicken soup for lunch.

B2 adjective /səˈpɔːtɪv/

supportive

Meaning

providing encouragement or emotional help to someone

Example

She was very supportive during my difficult times.

B2 verb /ˈskrɪbəl/

scribble

Meaning

to write or draw carelessly or quickly

Example

The child scribbled all over the wall.

B2 adjective sɪnˈθet̬.ɪk

synthetic

Meaning

Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product; artificial.

Example

Synthetic chemicals are used in processed foods.

C2 verb /swɪl/

swill

Meaning

to drink something greedily or in large amounts

Example

He swilled down the beer in seconds.

B2 verb, noun /ʃeɪv/

shave

Meaning

To remove hair from the body, typically using a razor; the act of removing hair

Example

He likes to shave every morning before work.

C2 noun /ˈstænʃən/

stanchion

Meaning

a strong upright bar or post used as support or to control movement

Example

The red rope was attached to the stanchions to guide the crowd.

C2 noun /spʌndʒ ɡɔːrd/

Sponse gourd

Meaning

a fibrous gourd that becomes sponge-like when dried, used for cleaning and in cooking when young

Example

The sponge gourd can be eaten when young or dried to make natural scrubbers.

B1 noun /sleɪv/

slave

Meaning

a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to work for them

Example

The abolitionist movement fought for the rights of slaves.

B2 noun /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/

socialism

Meaning

An economic system where the means of production are owned by the state or community.

Example

In socialism, resources are distributed equally among citizens.

C1 verb /snɪər/

sneer

Meaning

to smile or speak in a mocking or contemptuous way

Example

She sneered at his attempt to sing.

C2 adjective /ˌseɪpiˈɛnʃəl/

sapiential

Meaning

Relating to wisdom or knowledge, often in a religious or philosophical sense.

Example

The monk shared sapiential teachings with his students.

C2 adjective /ˈsɪbɪlənt/

sibilant

Meaning

Making or characterized by a hissing sound.

Example

The word 'snake' starts with a sibilant sound.

A2 verb /ʃaɪn/

shine

Meaning

to give out a bright light or glow

Example

The sun will shine brightly tomorrow.

C2 verb /ˈstræɡəl/

straggle

Meaning

To move or spread in an irregular, scattered, or untidy way.

Example

The children began to straggle behind on the long hike.

B1 adverb /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/

significantly

Meaning

in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect

Example

The economy has significantly improved over the last decade.

C1 noun /səbˈvɜːrʒən/

subversion

Meaning

the act of trying to destroy or undermine an established system or authority

Example

The government accused the rebels of planning subversion.

C2 adjective /stɛnˈtɔːriən/

stentorian

Meaning

Extremely loud and powerful in sound.

Example

The teacher’s stentorian voice quieted the noisy classroom.

C2 noun /ˈskɔːrpiən fɪʃ/

Scorpion fish

Meaning

a type of fish with venomous spines that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae

Example

The scorpion fish has dangerous spines that can inject venom.

B2 adjective strəˈtiː.dʒɪk

strategic

Meaning

Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.

Example

Strategic policies enhance competitiveness.

C2 noun /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/

shibboleth

Meaning

A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.

Example

The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign.

B2 verb /stɪŋ/

sting

Meaning

to pierce with a sharp point; to cause sharp pain

Example

The bee stung him on his arm while he was gardening.

C1 adjective /ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪ.tɪŋ/

scintillating

Meaning

brilliantly clever, exciting, or sparkling

Example

Her scintillating conversation kept everyone entertained.

B1 noun /səˈdʒes.tʃən/

Suggestion

Meaning

an idea or plan put forward for consideration; advice or recommendation

Example

Do you have any suggestions for improving our team's productivity?

C2 noun /sʌbˈɔːl.tən/

subaltern

Meaning

A person holding a subordinate position; in the military, a junior officer.

Example

The subaltern was responsible for leading a small platoon of soldiers.

B2 verb /stɪtʃ/

stitch

Meaning

to sew with needle and thread; to join pieces of fabric

Example

She will stitch the torn dress carefully.

C1 verb /ʃraʊd/

shroud

Meaning

to cover or hide; to wrap in cloth

Example

The mountain peak was shrouded in mist.

B2 noun /slɒt/

slot

Meaning

a narrow opening into which something fits or is placed

Example

Insert the card into the slot to open the door.

C1 noun /sɪˈkluːʒən/

seclusion

Meaning

The state of being private, away from other people.

Example

She spent the weekend in complete seclusion in her cabin.

A2 noun /ˈsɪz.ərz/

Scissors

Meaning

a cutting instrument with two sharp blades that are joined and work against each other

Example

She used scissors to cut the paper into small pieces.

C2 noun /ˈsɒfɪzəm/

sophism

Meaning

a clever but misleading argument; fallacious reasoning

Example

The politician's speech was full of sophism designed to mislead voters.

C2 adjective /spraɪ/

spry

Meaning

active and lively, especially in old age

Example

The spry grandmother surprised everyone with her quick dance steps.

C1 noun /ˈsaɪnəs/

sinus

Meaning

A cavity within a bone or tissue, especially those in the bones of the face connected with the nasal cavities.

Example

He suffered from a sinus infection that caused headaches.

C1 adjective /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

substantive

Meaning

Having a firm basis in reality; important, meaningful, or considerable.

Example

The company made substantive changes to its policy.

C1 noun ˈsɪn.tæks

syntax

Meaning

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Example

Programming languages follow strict syntax rules.

B2 verb /ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ/

struggling

Meaning

Making forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction; having difficulty achieving something.

Example

Many regions are struggling with economic recovery.

C2 adjective /səˈpʌlkrəl/

sepulchral

Meaning

Relating to a tomb or burial; gloomy, dismal.

Example

The abandoned house had a sepulchral silence about it.

B1 verb /ˈsɪzər/

scissor

Meaning

to cut with or as if with scissors

Example

The tailor scissored the fabric neatly.

C2 adjective /ˈsɪnjuːi/

sinewy

Meaning

Lean and muscular; strong and tough.

Example

The athlete had a sinewy build that showed his strength.

C2 noun /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/

subterfuge

Meaning

Deceit used to achieve one's goal; a trick or excuse to evade something.

Example

They used subterfuge to avoid paying taxes.

C1 /splɪnt/

splint

Meaning

A rigid device used to support and immobilize a broken or injured body part.

Example

The doctor applied a splint to stabilize the patient's broken arm.

B2 noun /ˈsnoʊ.fɔːl/

Snowfall

Meaning

the process of snow falling from the sky; the amount of snow that falls

Example

The heavy snowfall blocked all the roads yesterday.

A2 noun /sænd/

sand

Meaning

Small loose grains of crushed rock, found on beaches and deserts.

Example

Children built castles out of sand on the beach.

B1 adjective /ˈspaɪ.si/

Spicy

Meaning

having a strong, hot flavor from spices; containing spices

Example

This curry is too spicy for me to eat.

C2 noun /ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm/

simulacrum

Meaning

an image or representation of someone or something; a superficial likeness

Example

The statue was only a simulacrum of the ancient god.

C2 noun /ˈsætræp/

satrap

Meaning

a governor of a province in ancient Persia; also used figuratively for a subordinate ruler

Example

The king appointed a satrap to oversee the distant province.

B1 adjective /sɪˈlek.tɪd/

selected

Meaning

carefully chosen from a group for a particular purpose

Example

He was one of the selected candidates for the scholarship.

B2 noun səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti

sustainability

Meaning

The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain ecological balance.

Example

Sustainability ensures long-term environmental health.

A2 adjective /sɪk/

Sick

Meaning

unwell; having a disease or illness; feeling nauseous

Example

She stayed home from work because she was feeling sick.

B1 noun ˈstrʌɡ.əl

struggle

Meaning

A forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack; a determined effort under difficult circumstances.

Example

The struggle for independence united the nation.