sextant
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C2 noun /ˈsɛkstənt/

sextant

Meaning
a navigational instrument with a graduated arc of 60°, used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon
Example
Using a sextant, the navigator fixed the ship’s position at noon.
C1 noun /ˈskævɪndʒər/

scavenger

Meaning
an animal or person that feeds on dead or discarded material
Example
Vultures are natural scavengers that clean up the environment.
B2 noun səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈvɛləpmənt

Sustainable Development

Meaning
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Example
Eco-tourism contributes to sustainable development in local communities.
C2 adjective /ˌsuː.pər.ɪˈrɑː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

supererogatory

Meaning
Going beyond what is required or expected; more than necessary.
Example
His donation was supererogatory, far beyond what anyone had asked for.
B2 noun /ˈstɑːrt.ʌp/

startup

Meaning
A newly established business, especially a small technology or business company that is just beginning operations.
Example
The startup secured funding from investors.
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.
B2 noun /sɪmˈplɪsɪti/

Simplicity

Meaning
the quality of being simple; lack of complexity or intricacy
Example
The beauty of the design lies in its simplicity.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃuəs/

sensuous

Meaning
Relating to or affecting the senses rather than the intellect; pleasing to the senses.
Example
The garden was filled with sensuous colors and fragrances.
B2 adjective /ˌsʌp.lɪˈmen.tər.i/

Supplementary

Meaning
completing or making an addition to something; additional; extra
Example
Students need to buy supplementary books for the course.
B2 adjective /ˈskɛptɪkəl/

skeptical

Meaning
not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations
Example
She was skeptical about the new plan.
C1 noun /ˈskaʊndrəl/

scoundrel

Meaning
a dishonest or unscrupulous person; a villain
Example
That scoundrel cheated the old man out of his savings.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌd.ən.li/

Suddenly

Meaning
quickly and without warning; unexpectedly
Example
The car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛlər/

stellar

Meaning
Relating to stars; outstanding or excellent.
Example
She gave a stellar performance in the play.
C2 noun /ˈsɪbɪləns/

sibilance

Meaning
A hissing or hushing sound, especially in speech with 's' or 'sh'.
Example
The poet used sibilance to create a soft, hissing effect in the verse.
B2 adjective səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl

sustainable

Meaning
Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; conserving an ecological balance.
Example
Sustainable practices mitigate environmental impact.
C1 verb /səbˈdjuː/

subdue

Meaning
To bring under control, especially by force; to overcome or quiet.
Example
The army was able to subdue the rebellion quickly.
B1 noun /swiːt pəˈteɪtoʊ/

Sweet potato

Meaning
A root vegetable with sweet flesh, typically orange or purple in color
Example
Roasted sweet potato makes a healthy and delicious side dish.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌb.əˈkwɒt.ɪk/

subaquatic

Meaning
Existing, living, or located under water.
Example
Divers explored the subaquatic cave system filled with rare fish.
C1 noun /ˌsæl.ɪ.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

salinization

Meaning
The process of increasing salt content in soil.
Example
Excessive irrigation can cause salinization of farmland.
B2 verb /skriːtʃ/

screech

Meaning
to make a loud, high-pitched and unpleasant sound
Example
The car screeched to a halt.
B1 adjective /strɪkt/

Strict

Meaning
demanding exact conformity to rules; severe; rigorous
Example
The teacher is very strict about homework deadlines.
C1 verb ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪz

synchronize

Meaning
To coordinate in time; to cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate.
Example
The dancers need to synchronize their movements.
A2 verb /səkˈsiːd/

succeed

Meaning
to achieve the desired aim or result; to do well
Example
She worked hard to succeed in her career.
C2 verb /sɛkˈstuːpəl/

sextuple

Meaning
to make or become six times as great or as many
Example
Within two quarters, the campaign sextupled their daily sign-ups.
B1 verb /stɛə/

stare

Meaning
to look at something with a fixed gaze
Example
She stared at the painting for hours.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlvən/

sylvan

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of the woods or forest.
Example
The cottage was set in a sylvan landscape full of tall trees.
A2 noun, verb, adjective /saʊnd/

sound

Meaning
a sensation perceived by the ear; to make or cause to make a noise; in good condition
Example
The bell sounded across the valley.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛnʃənt/

sentient

Meaning
Able to perceive or feel things.
Example
Humans are sentient beings capable of reasoning.
A1 adverb /soʊ/

so

Meaning
to such a degree or extent
Example
She was so happy with the gift.
B2 verb /sɜːrdʒ/

surge

Meaning
to move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward
Example
The crowd surged forward when the gates opened.
A1 noun /sɔːŋ/

song

Meaning
a short piece of music with words that are sung
Example
She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
C1 noun sælˈveɪʃən

salvation

Meaning
Deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.
Example
The story revolves around the theme of salvation.
B1 adjective /ˈsɪniər/

senior

Meaning
having a higher rank or status; older or more experienced
Example
He is the senior manager in the department.
B1 noun /seɪnt/

Saint

Meaning
person recognized as holy or virtuous; very kind or patient person
Example
Mother Teresa was declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
C2 adjective /ˈskʌr.ɪ.ləs/

scurrilous

Meaning
Using or expressed in coarse, abusive, or slanderous language.
Example
The politician faced criticism for his scurrilous remarks about his opponent.
C2 noun /skæd/

scad

Meaning
A type of fish of the jack family; also informally means a large number or quantity.
Example
The fisherman caught a scad in the net.
B2 adjective /saʊər/

Sour

Meaning
having an acid taste like lemon or vinegar; unpleasant or disagreeable
Example
The milk has gone sour and smells terrible.
B2 noun /ˈsɛm.iˌsɜːr.kəl/

semicircle

Meaning
Half of a circle or something shaped like half of a circle.
Example
The students sat in a semicircle around the teacher.
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.
B1 noun /ˈsoʊ.lər ˌsɪs.təm/

Solar system

Meaning
the sun and all the planets, moons, asteroids and other objects that orbit around it
Example
Our solar system has eight planets orbiting the sun.
B2 noun/verb /swɔːrm/

swarm

Meaning
A large group of insects or people moving together.
Example
A swarm of bees surrounded the tree.
C1 verb /strʌt/

strut

Meaning
to walk with a stiff, proud, and confident gait, often to show off
Example
He strutted across the stage after winning the award.
B2 verb /ʃʌv/

shove

Meaning
to push someone or something roughly
Example
He shoved the box into the corner.
C2 adjective ˌsʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs

surreptitious

Meaning
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; done stealthily.
Example
She took a surreptitious glance at his notes.
C2 noun /ˈsɛnʃəns/

sentience

Meaning
The capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively.
Example
Many argue that animals possess sentience.
C1 adjective /ˈskeɪ.li/

Scaly

Meaning
covered with scales; having a rough surface like scales
Example
The fish has scaly skin.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊʃəbəl/

Sociable

Meaning
friendly and enjoys being with other people; outgoing
Example
She is very sociable and makes friends easily.
A1 noun /ˈsʌn.deɪ/

sunday

Meaning
The day of the week between Saturday and Monday; often considered a day of rest or worship.
Example
We usually relax at home on Sunday.
C1 verb /ˈsælvɪdʒ/

salvage

Meaning
To save something from loss, damage, or destruction.
Example
They managed to salvage some goods from the fire.
B2 adjective /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/

specialized

Meaning
designed or developed for a particular purpose or function
Example
He has a specialized knowledge of ancient civilizations.
C2 adjective /ˈsʌmp.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sumptuary

Meaning
Relating to laws or regulations intended to limit personal spending on luxury goods.
Example
In medieval Europe, sumptuary laws restricted the wearing of expensive fabrics to the nobility.
C2 adjective /səˈræfɪk/

seraphic

Meaning
Of or like a seraph; angelic, pure, and blissful.
Example
She gave him a seraphic smile that calmed his fears.
C2 verb /ˌsuːpərˈæd/

superadd

Meaning
to add something to what has already been added
Example
The author chose to superadd a new chapter to the revised edition.
C1 noun /sɪˈtɑːr/

Sitar

Meaning
a traditional Indian stringed musical instrument with a long neck and resonating body
Example
The sitar creates beautiful ragas in Indian classical music.
B2 noun ˌsensɪˈtɪvɪti

sensitivity

Meaning
The quality or condition of being sensitive; responsiveness to stimuli.
Example
Bose proved plant sensitivity through experiments.
B2 verb /ˈʃʌfəl/

shuffle

Meaning
to walk by dragging one's feet along or without lifting them fully; to mix or rearrange
Example
He shuffled the cards before dealing them.
C2 adjective /ˈʃɪft.ləs/

shiftless

Meaning
Lacking ambition or the ability to accomplish anything; lazy and unmotivated.
Example
He was seen as a shiftless young man with no goals.
B2 verb /suːð/

soothe

Meaning
to calm or comfort; to relieve pain or distress
Example
The mother soothed her crying baby with a gentle lullaby.
B2 adjective /sɪˈlek.tɪv/

Selective

Meaning
relating to or involving careful selection; choosy about what to accept
Example
The university has a selective admission process for new students.
B2 noun /spaʊs/

spouse

Meaning
a person's husband or wife
Example
Each employee may include their spouse in the health insurance plan.
B2 noun ˈsuː.pər.fuːdz

superfoods

Meaning
Nutrient-dense foods that are particularly beneficial for health and well-being.
Example
Blueberries and spinach are superfoods rich in vitamins.
C1 verb /ˈswɛltər/

swelter

Meaning
to suffer from intense heat
Example
We began to swelter in the midday sun.
C1 verb/noun /stuːp/

stoop

Meaning
To bend one's body forward and downward; also a small porch or staircase at the entrance of a house
Example
He had to stoop to pick up the coin.
C2 noun /səˈɡæs.ə.t̬i/

sagacity

Meaning
The quality of being sagacious; having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment.
Example
His sagacity made him a great leader.
B2 noun /ˈswɛər wɜːrd/

swear-word

Meaning
An offensive or rude word used to express anger or frustration.
Example
He shouted a swear-word when he hit his toe.
C2 noun /ˈsɪbəraɪt/

sybarite

Meaning
a person who loves luxury and pleasure
Example
The millionaire was a true sybarite who lived only for comfort and enjoyment.
B2 verb /səˈluːt/

salute

Meaning
to greet with respect; to honor
Example
The soldiers saluted their commanding officer.
C2 noun /sɪlf/

sylph

Meaning
A mythical spirit of the air; also refers to a slender, graceful woman.
Example
She moved across the stage like a sylph, light and graceful.
C2 noun /ˈʃæd.ək/

Shaddock

Meaning
a large citrus fruit similar to grapefruit; pomelo
Example
The shaddock is the largest citrus fruit in the world.
A1 noun /ʃuː/

Shoe

Meaning
covering for the foot, typically made of leather or cloth
Example
She bought a new pair of running shoes for exercise.
C1 noun /stɑːr fruːts/

Star Fruits

Meaning
yellow tropical fruits that form a star shape when sliced crosswise; tangy and crisp taste
Example
When you slice star fruits, they look like beautiful yellow stars on your plate.
B2 noun /ˈsɪɡ.nə.tʃər/

Signature

Meaning
a person's name written in their own handwriting as identification or authorization
Example
Please put your signature at the bottom of the document.
B1 noun sɪˈkjʊə.rɪ.ti

security

Meaning
The state of being free from danger, threat, or loss.
Example
Food security is essential for human survival.
B2 noun /sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kəns/

Significance

Meaning
the quality of being worthy of attention; importance
Example
The discovery has great significance for medical research.
C2 verb /sweɪð/

swathe

Meaning
To wrap or cover closely or completely.
Example
She swathed the baby in a soft blanket.
C1 noun səˈsteɪnəbəl ænd kəˈlæbərətɪv əˈproʊtʃ

sustainable and collaborative approach

Meaning
A method of working together that can be maintained over time without depleting resources or causing harm.
Example
A sustainable and collaborative approach is crucial for solving environmental problems.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmli/

seemly

Meaning
proper or appropriate in behavior or appearance
Example
It was not seemly to argue loudly during the ceremony.
B2 adjective /suːˈpriːm/

Supreme

Meaning
highest in rank, authority, or quality; greatest; most important
Example
The Supreme Court made the final decision.
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 adjective /ˈsoʊbər/

Sober

Meaning
not affected by alcohol; serious and thoughtful; moderate
Example
He remained sober throughout the celebration.
C1 noun /ˈskruːpəl/

scruple

Meaning
A moral or ethical consideration that restrains actions.
Example
He had no scruples about lying to get ahead.
C2 noun /spɪˈlʌŋkər/

spelunker

Meaning
A person who explores caves as a hobby.
Example
The spelunker carried ropes and lights into the dark cave.
B1 verb /spred/

spread

Meaning
to extend over a larger area; to distribute; to apply
Example
The news spread quickly through the town.
C1 adjective /suːˈpɜːrlətɪv/

superlative

Meaning
Of the highest quality or degree; expressing the extreme form of an adjective or adverb.
Example
Her performance was superlative, earning her a standing ovation.
B2 adjective /slɪm/

slim

Meaning
thin in an attractive or healthy way; small in amount or chance
Example
She looked slim in her new dress.
C2 noun /spliːn/

spleen

Meaning
an organ in the body that produces lymphocytes and filters blood; also refers to bad temper or spite
Example
He vented his spleen on his coworkers after the meeting.
B2 verb ˈstɪmjəleɪt

stimulate

Meaning
To encourage or promote the development or growth of something
Example
Proper sunlight stimulates plant growth.
B2 noun /ˈsuː.ɪ.saɪd/

Suicide

Meaning
the act of intentionally killing oneself
Example
Mental health professionals work to prevent suicide.
C1 noun /stɛlθ/

stealth

Meaning
The act of moving, doing, or achieving something quietly and secretly.
Example
The cat moved with stealth towards its prey.
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.
B1 noun /ˈsʌb.mə.riːn/

Sub-marine

Meaning
a warship with a streamlined hull designed to operate completely submerged in the sea
Example
The submarine dived deep into the ocean to avoid detection.
C1 noun/verb /smʌdʒ/

smudge

Meaning
a dirty mark or smear; to make something dirty or unclear by rubbing or touching
Example
She accidentally smudged her lipstick on the napkin.
C1 adjective /suːˈpɜːr.flu.əs/

superfluous

Meaning
Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
Example
His speech contained too many superfluous details.
C2 verb /slʌf/ or /sluː/

slough

Meaning
To shed or cast off (like dead skin); also a swampy or muddy area.
Example
The snake sloughed off its old skin.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪlkən/

Silken

Meaning
made of silk; smooth and soft like silk
Example
She wore a beautiful silken dress to the party.
B2 noun ˈskeə.sɪ.ti

scarcity

Meaning
The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
Example
Water scarcity threatens agriculture.
C1 adjective /swɑːv/

suave

Meaning
charming, confident, and elegant, often in a smooth or polished way
Example
He was a suave gentleman who impressed everyone at the party.
B1 adjective /səˈfɪʃənt/

Sufficient

Meaning
enough; adequate for the purpose; satisfactory
Example
We have sufficient time to complete the project.
B2 verb /səbˈtrækt/

subtract

Meaning
to take away a number or amount from another number or amount
Example
If you subtract 5 from 10, you get 5.
C1 noun /ˈʃær.ən fruːt/

Sharon fruit

Meaning
a sweet orange persimmon fruit that can be eaten when firm
Example
The Sharon fruit is sweet and can be eaten like an apple.
A2 noun /stres/

stress

Meaning
Physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.
Example
Excessive stress can lead to health issues.
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 /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/

scathing

Meaning
severely critical; harshly scornful
Example
The critic wrote a scathing review of the movie.
B2 adjective ˌsɪm.əlˈteɪ.ni.əs

simultaneous

Meaning
Occurring, operating, or done at the same time.
Example
Simultaneous crop failures affect global food supply.
C2 noun /ˌself əˈbeɪs.mənt/

self-abasement

Meaning
The act of belittling or humiliating oneself.
Example
His constant self-abasement made others uncomfortable.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛn.sər.i/

sensory

Meaning
Related to the five human senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell).
Example
Sensory feedback enhances the VR experience.
A1 noun ˈstjuː.dənt

student

Meaning
A person who is studying at a school or university.
Example
Students participated actively in the protests.
C2 noun /sɪnˈtɪl.ə/

scintilla

Meaning
A tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling.
Example
There wasn’t a scintilla of doubt in her mind.
A2 verb /ˈstɑːtɪŋ/

starting

Meaning
beginning to do or experience something
Example
She is starting a new job next week.
B2 adjective /slæk/

slack

Meaning
not tight, firm, or busy; lacking tension or activity
Example
Business is slack during the rainy season.
C2 noun /ˈstrætədʒəm/

stratagem

Meaning
a plan or scheme designed to achieve a particular goal, often by trickery
Example
The general devised a clever stratagem to outwit the enemy.
B1 noun /skriːn/

Screen

Meaning
a flat surface on which pictures or words are shown; a movable partition used to divide a room
Example
The movie was displayed on a large screen in the theater.
B1 noun, verb /skiːm/

scheme

Meaning
a plan or arrangement, especially one that is secret or dishonest
Example
They devised a scheme to cheat investors.
A1 adjective /stɪl/

still

Meaning
not moving or making a sound
Example
The water was still, reflecting the sky.
B2 verb /spɪt/

spit

Meaning
to force liquid, especially saliva, out of the mouth
Example
He spat on the ground in anger.
C1 adjective /ˈskɪtɪʃ/

skittish

Meaning
easily frightened or nervous; unpredictable
Example
The horse was too skittish to ride.
A2 noun səˈsaɪəti

society

Meaning
The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
Example
Society plays a pivotal role in shaping an individual's values.
B1 adjective ˈsteɪbl

stable

Meaning
Not likely to change or fail; firmly established.
Example
Strong nuclear force keeps the nucleus stable.
A2 adjective /ˈstuː.pɪd/

Stupid

Meaning
lacking intelligence or common sense; foolish
Example
It was stupid of me to forget my umbrella on a rainy day.
C2 adjective /ˈspaɪnəs/

spinous

Meaning
Having spines or thorn-like projections
Example
The spinous cactus was difficult to handle without gloves.