simile
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C1 noun /ˈsɪməli/

simile

Meaning
A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another using 'like' or 'as'.
Example
She used a simile to describe her eyes as bright as stars.
C2 noun /ˈʃʊərəti/

surety

Meaning
a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, such as appearing in court or paying a debt
Example
The landlord required a surety before renting the apartment.
C1 adjective /ˈspɛərɪŋ/

sparing

Meaning
Using or giving only a little of something; economical.
Example
She is sparing in her use of words.
A2 noun/verb /ˈsiːzən/

season

Meaning
One of the four periods of the year characterized by specific weather conditions; also, to add flavor to food.
Example
Spring is my favorite season of the year.
C2 verb /ʃʌk/

shuck

Meaning
To remove the outer covering, such as the husk of corn or shell of shellfish.
Example
She learned how to shuck oysters quickly.
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.
C2 noun /ˈsɪlədʒɪzəm/

syllogism

Meaning
A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed premises.
Example
The philosopher explained the concept of syllogism using simple examples.
C1 noun, adjective, verb /ʃæm/

sham

Meaning
something that is not what it appears to be; a false or fake thing; to pretend
Example
The deal turned out to be a sham.
C1 verb /ˈsɪnɚdʒaɪzd/

synergized

Meaning
Combine in such a way that the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects.
Example
The teams were synergized to maximize productivity.
A1 modal verb /ʃʊd/

should

Meaning
used to indicate obligation or duty
Example
You should study for your exams.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlfsəˈfɪʃənsi/

Self-sufficiency

Meaning
the ability to supply one's own needs without external assistance; independence
Example
The farm achieved complete self-sufficiency in food production.
C2 noun /ˌself əˈbeɪs.mənt/

self-abasement

Meaning
The act of belittling or humiliating oneself.
Example
His constant self-abasement made others uncomfortable.
A2 noun ˈsaɪən.tɪst

scientist

Meaning
A person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences.
Example
The scientist proposed data-driven reforms.
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.
A1 pronoun /ʃi/

she

Meaning
a female person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified
Example
She is going to the market to buy vegetables.
B2 noun /spæm/

spam

Meaning
unsolicited or unwanted electronic communication, typically in the form of email
Example
My inbox is full of spam emails that I need to delete.
C2 adjective /səˈleɪʃəs/

salacious

Meaning
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate sexual interest.
Example
The tabloid published a salacious story about the celebrity.
A1 adjective /smɔːl/

Small

Meaning
little in size; not large; limited in extent or amount
Example
She lives in a small apartment near the university.
C1 verb /ˈskaʊər/

scour

Meaning
to clean or brighten the surface of something by scrubbing; to search thoroughly
Example
She scoured the kitchen until it shone.
C1 noun /ˌsæbəˈtɜːr/

saboteur

Meaning
A person who engages in sabotage.
Example
The saboteur was arrested before he could plant the bomb.
C2 adjective /ˈsɛpərəbəl/

separable

Meaning
Capable of being separated or divided.
Example
The two issues are separable and should be discussed independently.
B2 verb /spɛər/

spare

Meaning
To give something that one has extra of; to refrain from harming or killing.
Example
Could you spare me a few minutes of your time?
B2 adverb /ˈsɒftli/

softly

Meaning
in a gentle or quiet way.
Example
She spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.
B2 noun /ˈswɒl.oʊ/

Swallow

Meaning
a small migratory bird with long wings and a forked tail
Example
The swallow built its nest under the roof.
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.
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.
B1 noun /ˈspeʃəlɪst/

Specialist

Meaning
a person who has specialized knowledge or training in a particular area; an expert
Example
She consulted a heart specialist about her condition.
C1 verb /ˈseɪ.vər/

savor

Meaning
To enjoy something completely, especially by dwelling on it.
Example
He savored every bite of the delicious cake.
C2 noun /ˈseɪ.ɡoʊ/

Sago

Meaning
starchy foodstuff obtained from the pith of various tropical palm stems
Example
She prepared sago pudding for dessert.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊʃəbəl/

Sociable

Meaning
friendly and enjoys being with other people; outgoing
Example
She is very sociable and makes friends easily.
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.
C1 noun /ˌsɒl.jʊˈbɪləti/

solubility

Meaning
The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
Example
The solubility of salt in water is high.
B2 noun /ˈsɪləbəs/

syllabus

Meaning
An outline or summary of topics to be covered in a course of study.
Example
The professor handed out the syllabus on the first day of class.
A1 verb /seɪv/

save

Meaning
to rescue from danger; to keep for future use
Example
It's important to save money for emergencies.
C2 noun /ˌsæv.wɑːr ˈfeər/

savoir-faire

Meaning
The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations; polished social skills.
Example
She handled the delicate situation with remarkable savoir-faire.
B2 noun /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/

sergeant

Meaning
A rank of non-commissioned officer in the armed forces or police.
Example
The sergeant gave orders to the soldiers before the mission.
C1 noun /ˈsteɪl.meɪt/

stalemate

Meaning
A situation in which no progress can be made or no party can win.
Example
Negotiations ended in a stalemate.
A2 adverb /ˈʃʊə.li/

Surely

Meaning
without doubt; certainly
Example
You will surely pass the exam if you study hard.
A2 noun /skɜːrt/

Skirt

Meaning
a garment that hangs from the waist and covers part or all of the legs
Example
She chose a blue skirt to match her blouse.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːrəɡət/

surrogate

Meaning
A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office.
Example
The surrogate mother gave birth to the child after carrying it for nine months.
C1 adjective /ˈseɪ.vər.i/

savory

Meaning
Having a pleasant salty or spicy taste; morally acceptable.
Example
The restaurant serves a variety of savory dishes.
B2 noun /stɑːˈveɪ.ʃən/

Starvation

Meaning
suffering or death caused by lack of food; extreme hunger
Example
Many people died of starvation during the famine.
A2 verb /sɑːlv/

solve

Meaning
to find an answer to a problem or question; to resolve a difficulty
Example
The detective finally solved the mysterious case.
B2 adjective ˈstrʌktʃərd

structured

Meaning
Having a clear organization or framework; systematically arranged.
Example
A structured execution plan is crucial for success.
B2 noun ˈsɪblɪŋz

Siblings

Meaning
Each of two or more children or offspring having one or both parents in common.
Example
Siblings are usually placed on the same level in a family tree.
A1 noun /speɪs/

space

Meaning
The dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.
Example
Space exploration expands human knowledge.
B2 verb /sɔːr/

soar

Meaning
to fly or rise high in the air; to increase rapidly or dramatically
Example
The eagle soared high above the mountains.
B2 noun /stɪŋk/

Stink

Meaning
a strong unpleasant smell; bad odor
Example
The garbage created a terrible stink in the kitchen.
B2 noun /ˈspaɪs bɒks/

Spice box

Meaning
a container used to store various spices and seasonings
Example
She opened the spice box to find cumin for her curry.
C1 noun /ˈsɪləbəl/

syllable

Meaning
A unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants, forming the whole or part of a word.
Example
The word 'computer' has three syllables.
C2 noun /ˌsuː.pɚˈfluː.ə.t̬i/

superfluity

Meaning
An excessive amount of something; more than what is needed.
Example
The room was filled with a superfluity of decorations.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛriəˌtaɪpt/

stereotyped

Meaning
Conforming to a fixed or oversimplified idea of what someone or something is like.
Example
His stereotyped jokes failed to impress the audience.
A2 noun /streŋθ/

Strength

Meaning
the quality or state of being physically strong; power or force
Example
Regular exercise helps build muscle strength.
C1 noun ˈsʌs.tɪ.nəns

Sustenance

Meaning
Food or support necessary for sustaining life
Example
Water is essential for human sustenance.
C1 verb /skrɔːl/

scrawl

Meaning
to write or draw something quickly and carelessly, making it hard to read
Example
He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page.
B2 verb /ʃriːk/

shriek

Meaning
to make a loud, high-pitched cry
Example
She shrieked when she saw the spider.
C2 adjective /səˈpʌlkrəl/

sepulchral

Meaning
Relating to a tomb or burial; gloomy, dismal.
Example
The abandoned house had a sepulchral silence about it.
C1 adjective /seɪdʒ/

Sage

Meaning
wise; showing wisdom from experience; prudent; having good judgment
Example
The sage advice from the elder helped solve the problem.
B2 adjective /ˈsteɪʃəˌneri/

stationary

Meaning
Not moving or not intended to be moved.
Example
The car remained stationary at the red light.
C1 verb /stoʊk/

stoke

Meaning
To add fuel to a fire; to encourage or increase a strong feeling or activity.
Example
The politician’s speech stoked anger among the crowd.
B1 noun /ˈskwɪr.əl/

Squirrel

Meaning
a small agile tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail
Example
The squirrel gathered nuts for winter.
B2 noun ˈʃɔːtkʌmɪŋz

shortcomings

Meaning
A fault or failure to meet a certain standard; deficiencies.
Example
Institutional shortcomings affect student behavior negatively.
A1 pronoun /ˈsʌmbədi/

somebody

Meaning
an unspecified person
Example
Somebody is knocking at the door.
C1 adjective /snaɪd/

snide

Meaning
mocking or insulting in an indirect way
Example
He couldn’t resist making a snide comment about her dress.
B2 adjective /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/

systematic

Meaning
Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical.
Example
The company took a systematic approach to solving the issue.
B2 verb /swer/

swear

Meaning
to use offensive language; to promise solemnly; to take an oath
Example
I swear to tell the truth.
C2 noun/verb /ˈsʌkər/

succor

Meaning
Assistance and support in times of hardship or distress.
Example
The charity provided succor to the flood victims.
C1 noun /sɪv/

sieve

Meaning
a utensil with a mesh or perforated bottom, used for straining or sifting
Example
She used a sieve to strain the pasta.
A2 noun steɪt

state

Meaning
A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.
Example
The state declared a new language policy.
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 noun /stiːl/

steel

Meaning
a strong, hard metal made of iron and carbon
Example
The building was made from steel to ensure its durability.
A2 noun /sɒks/

Socks

Meaning
soft coverings for the feet, typically worn inside shoes
Example
I need to buy new socks for winter.
C1 adjective /səˈriːn/

serene

Meaning
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
Example
The lake had a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
B2 adjective /ˈseɪ.krɪd/

Sacred

Meaning
connected with God or a god; considered holy; worthy of religious worship
Example
The sacred temple was visited by thousands of pilgrims.
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 noun /ˈʃrɪŋkɪdʒ/

shrinkage

Meaning
The process of becoming smaller in size, amount, or value.
Example
The company reported a shrinkage in profits this quarter.
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.
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.
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 /smɔːl boʊl/

Small bowl

Meaning
a round, shallow container of small size used for serving food or liquids
Example
She served the soup in a small bowl.
B1 adjective ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk

scientific

Meaning
Based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science.
Example
Scientific discoveries continue to shape our understanding of the world.
C1 noun /ˈspaɪər/

spire

Meaning
a tall, pointed structure on top of a building, especially a church
Example
The church spire could be seen from miles away.
B2 verb /spɪl/

spill

Meaning
to cause liquid to flow or fall out of a container by accident
Example
Be careful not to spill your coffee.
C1 noun /sleɪ/

sleigh

Meaning
A vehicle pulled by horses or reindeer over snow or ice.
Example
Children were excited to ride in the sleigh through the snowy village.
C1 noun /ˈstætʃuːt/

statute

Meaning
A written law passed by a legislative body.
Example
The new statute protects workers' rights.
A2 noun /sɔːlt/

Salt

Meaning
white crystalline substance used for seasoning food; sodium chloride
Example
Please add some salt to the soup to enhance its flavor.
B2 noun /ˌsoʊsiˈɑːlədʒi/

sociology

Meaning
the study of society, human relationships, and social institutions
Example
She is studying sociology at university.
C2 noun /ˈstrɪk.tʃər/

stricture

Meaning
a restriction or limitation; a critical remark
Example
The new law placed a severe stricture on free speech.
C2 noun /spɪˈlʌŋkər/

spelunker

Meaning
A person who explores caves as a hobby.
Example
The spelunker carried ropes and lights into the dark cave.
A2 noun /seɪf/

Safe

Meaning
secure container for storing valuables; protection from danger
Example
He kept his important documents in the office safe.
B2 noun /ˈsikwəl/

Sequel

Meaning
a published, broadcast, or recorded work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier one; something that takes place after or as a result of an earlier event
Example
The movie sequel was even more successful than the original.
B2 verb səˈsteɪnd

sustained

Meaning
Strengthened and supported; not allowed to weaken or fail.
Example
The proposal was not sustained.
C1 verb /səˈlɪsɪt/

solicit

Meaning
to ask for or try to obtain something from someone
Example
The charity is soliciting donations for flood victims.
B2 noun /ˈʃʌv.əl/

Shovel

Meaning
a tool with a broad flat blade and long handle used for digging and moving earth, snow, or other materials
Example
He grabbed a shovel to clear the snow from the driveway.
B2 verb /ˈskætər/

scatter

Meaning
to spread or throw around in different directions
Example
The wind scattered the leaves across the yard.
B1 noun /slaɪs/

Slice

Meaning
a thin, flat piece cut from something larger
Example
Would you like a slice of pizza?
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.
C2 adjective /ˈsɒmnələnt/

somnolent

Meaning
Sleepy or drowsy; causing a desire to sleep.
Example
The somnolent lecture made half the class fall asleep.
C2 noun /ˈsɪʒ.ən/

scission

Meaning
the act of cutting or dividing something
Example
The political party suffered a scission over ideological disputes.
C1 adjective səˈblaɪm

sublime

Meaning
Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
Example
The sublime beauty of the mountain landscape took my breath away.
B2 verb /skrʌb/

scrub

Meaning
To rub hard so as to clean, typically with a brush and water.
Example
Excessive scrubbing of the eyes is harmful.
A1 verb /smaɪl/

smile

Meaning
to express happiness or friendliness by turning the corners of the mouth upwards
Example
She smiled when she saw the gift.
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.
B1 verb səˈpɔːrtɪŋ

supporting

Meaning
Giving assistance to; helping to bear the weight of something.
Example
Supporting education initiatives helps reduce child labour.
B2 noun /ˈspesɪmən/

Specimen

Meaning
an individual example of something; a sample collected for scientific study or testing
Example
The scientist collected a blood specimen for analysis.
C1 adjective /ˈskrʌfi/

Scruffy

Meaning
untidy or unkempt in appearance; shabby and worn
Example
The scruffy old dog wandered through the streets looking for food.
B1 verb /səˈspɛkt/

suspect

Meaning
to believe that someone has done something wrong; to doubt or mistrust
Example
I suspect he is lying about his whereabouts.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌpəzɪˈtɪʃəs/

supposititious

Meaning
Based on assumption rather than fact; not genuine or authentic.
Example
The story turned out to be supposititious, with no evidence to support it.
C2 adjective /ˌstætʃuˈɛsk/

statuesque

Meaning
Having the grace, beauty, or dignity of a statue; tall and attractively proportioned.
Example
She had a statuesque figure that turned heads wherever she went.
C1 noun /ˈsɔː.dʌst/

sawdust

Meaning
The tiny particles of wood produced by sawing or sanding.
Example
The floor was covered with sawdust from the carpentry work.
C2 noun /skɪf/

skiff

Meaning
a small, light boat usually for one person
Example
The fisherman paddled his skiff across the lake.
B1 noun /ˈsɛkrəteri/

secretary

Meaning
a person employed to handle correspondence and manage routine tasks for an individual or organization
Example
The secretary scheduled the meeting for tomorrow.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf ˈdɪs.ə.plɪn

self-discipline

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions and behavior.
Example
Self-discipline is crucial for achieving long-term success.
A2 noun /ˈsɪl.vər/

Silver

Meaning
a shiny white precious metal used for making jewelry and ornaments
Example
The silver ring sparkled in the sunlight.
C1 noun ˈstræt.ə.sfɪər

stratosphere

Meaning
The layer of the earth's atmosphere above the troposphere, extending to about 50 km above the earth's surface.
Example
The stratosphere provides a unique environment.
C1 verb /ʃɪə/

shear

Meaning
to cut the wool off a sheep or to cut something with sharp tools like scissors or shears
Example
The farmer will shear the sheep in the spring.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈswɛltərɪŋ/

sweltering

Meaning
uncomfortably hot
Example
The sweltering heat made it hard to work.
B2 adverb /ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli/

subsequently

Meaning
at a later time; afterward
Example
He failed his exam and subsequently had to retake it.
C1 adjective /ˈsæv.i/

savvy

Meaning
Having practical knowledge and the ability to make good judgments.
Example
She is a tech-savvy entrepreneur.
C1 noun /ˈslændər/

Slander

Meaning
the action of making false spoken statements damaging to someone's reputation
Example
The politician sued the newspaper for slander.