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B2 verb /skɪm/

skim

Meaning
to move quickly over a surface or to read something quickly
Example
She skimmed through the report before the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈsaɪd.laɪn dɪˈskʌʃənz/

sideline discussions

Meaning
Informal or secondary conversations that occur outside the main agenda of a formal meeting.
Example
Sideline discussions often lead to agreements.
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.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌm.deɪ/

someday

Meaning
at some time in the future
Example
Someday, I want to travel the world.
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 verb səˈpres

suppress

Meaning
To forcibly put an end to; to restrain or subdue.
Example
Authorities must suppress criminal activities in campuses.
C1 noun/verb /skɜːrdʒ/

scourge

Meaning
A source of great pain or punishment; to whip or inflict suffering on someone.
Example
Disease and poverty remain a scourge in many regions.
C2 adjective /stəˈkɑː.təʊ/

staccato

Meaning
short and detached in sound or style, often used in music
Example
The pianist played the notes in a staccato rhythm.
B2 noun/verb /ˈsæd.əl/

saddle

Meaning
A seat fastened on the back of a horse for riding; to burden someone with a responsibility.
Example
He saddled the horse before going for a ride.
A1 adjective /ˈsɔːri/

sorry

Meaning
feeling regret or sympathy
Example
She felt sorry for what had happened.
C1 noun /ˈsʌn.stroʊk/

Sunstroke

Meaning
a serious condition caused by overheating from prolonged exposure to high temperatures
Example
The worker suffered from sunstroke after working outside all day.
C1 noun ˌskeɪ.ləˈbɪl.ə.ti

scalability

Meaning
The capacity to be changed in size or scale; the ability of a system to handle a growing amount of work.
Example
The new software offers high scalability for large enterprises.
C1 verb /sərˈmaʊnt/

surmount

Meaning
to overcome a difficulty or obstacle
Example
He surmounted all the challenges to achieve his dream.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnɜːrdʒɪk/

synergic

Meaning
Working together in a cooperative and effective manner.
Example
The two departments have a synergic relationship that boosts productivity.
B2 verb /ˈstræŋɡəl/

strangle

Meaning
to kill or stop someone or something by squeezing the throat or restricting flow
Example
The villain tried to strangle his opponent in the dark alley.
A1 noun /sɔːŋ/

song

Meaning
a short piece of music with words that are sung
Example
She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
B2 noun /ˈspɒnsər/

sponsor

Meaning
a person or organization that provides funds for a project or activity in exchange for publicity or support
Example
The company became the main sponsor of the event.
C2 noun /seɪn/

seine

Meaning
A large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water.
Example
The fishermen cast their seine into the river.
C1 adjective /səbˈmɪs.ɪv/

Submissive

Meaning
ready to obey others; yielding to authority; humble and compliant
Example
She became submissive after years of harsh treatment.
C2 adjective /ˈstɜːr.tər.əs/

stertorous

Meaning
Characterized by heavy snoring or breathing.
Example
The patient’s stertorous breathing alarmed the nurses.
B2 adjective /səˈpɔːtɪv/

supportive

Meaning
providing encouragement or emotional help to someone
Example
She was very supportive during my difficult times.
C1 noun /slæɡ/

slag

Meaning
Stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting process.
Example
The factory dumped the slag near the river.
C1 adjective /sɪər/

Sear

Meaning
withered; dried up; burned or scorched
Example
The sear leaves fell from the trees in autumn.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmi/

seamy

Meaning
Morally degraded, unpleasant, or sordid.
Example
The novel reveals the seamy side of city life.
B2 adverb ˌsɪməlˈteɪnɪəsli

simultaneously

Meaning
At the same time; occurring or existing at the same time.
Example
He worked on two projects simultaneously.
B2 noun /ˈʃʌtəl/

shuttle

Meaning
a vehicle or craft that travels regularly between two places.
Example
The airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes.
B2 noun /slæŋ/

Slang

Meaning
very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written
Example
The teenagers used slang that their parents couldn't understand.
C1 verb /ˈstriːm.laɪn/

streamline

Meaning
To make a process simpler and more efficient.
Example
The company aims to streamline production to reduce costs.
C2 noun /skʌlˈdʌɡəri/

skulduggery

Meaning
underhanded or dishonest behavior
Example
The politician was accused of financial skulduggery.
B2 noun /swɪŋ/

Swing

Meaning
move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or on an axis
Example
The children love to swing in the park.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrli/

surly

Meaning
bad-tempered and unfriendly
Example
The waiter gave us a surly look when we asked for more water.
C2 adjective səˈluː.bri.əs

salubrious

Meaning
Health-giving; healthy; promoting health and well-being.
Example
The mountain air is salubrious and refreshing.
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 /sfɪˈrɒmɪtər/

spherometer

Meaning
An instrument used for measuring the curvature of spherical surfaces.
Example
The scientist used a spherometer to measure the lens curvature.
B1 noun, verb /stɒk/

stock

Meaning
a supply of goods kept for sale or use; to keep or fill with goods
Example
The shop stocks a wide variety of products.
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.
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.
C1 verb sɪˈkwɛstər

sequester

Meaning
To isolate or hide away.
Example
The carbon captured by trees can be sequestered for years.
A2 adjective /ˈsʌdən/

Sudden

Meaning
happening or done quickly and unexpectedly; abrupt
Example
There was a sudden change in the weather.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌn.dri/

sundry

Meaning
Various or miscellaneous.
Example
The shop sells fruits, clothes, and sundry items.
B2 noun, verb /slænt/

slant

Meaning
A particular point of view; to slope or lean in a particular direction.
Example
The article had a political slant.
C1 verb /ˈʃɪmər/

shimmer

Meaning
To shine with a soft, wavering light.
Example
The lake shimmered under the moonlight.
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.
C1 noun /ˈstætʃər/

stature

Meaning
A person's natural height or their reputation and importance.
Example
Her intellectual stature made her a respected figure in academia.
B2 noun /siːdʒ/

Sieze

Meaning
a military operation to capture a place by surrounding it and cutting off supplies
Example
The siege of the castle lasted for three months.
B1 noun /ʃɒk/

shock

Meaning
a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience
Example
The news of his sudden departure was a shock to everyone.
A2 noun /ˈsoʊldʒərz/

soldiers

Meaning
members of an army who serve their country in war or peace
Example
The soldiers marched proudly down the street.
A2 noun /ˈseɪf.ti/

Safety

Meaning
condition of being protected from danger, risk, or injury
Example
The company prioritizes workplace safety above all else.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf.kənˈtrəʊl

self-control

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward, or avoid some punishment, typically in the longer term.
Example
Self-control is important for maintaining a balanced life.
B1 verb /swɪtʃ/

switch

Meaning
to change from one thing to another; to exchange or replace
Example
I switched from coffee to tea.
C2 noun /ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

spoliation

Meaning
The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.
Example
The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence.
B2 noun ˈʃeɪdɪd ˈɛəriə

shaded area

Meaning
An area that is protected from direct sunlight.
Example
We sat in a shaded area by the riverbank.
C2 noun /sfɛˈrɪsɪti/

sphericity

Meaning
The quality or state of being spherical; roundness.
Example
The sphericity of the ball made it roll smoothly on the ground.
A1 adverb /ˈsʌm.taɪmz/

Sometimes

Meaning
at times; occasionally; now and then
Example
Sometimes I go for a walk in the evening.
A2 noun /siːd/

seed

Meaning
the small, hard part of a plant from which a new plant can grow
Example
I planted a seed in the garden.
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.
B2 noun /ˈsɜːdʒən/

surgeon

Meaning
a doctor who performs medical operations
Example
The surgeon performed a complex heart operation.
C2 noun/verb /ˈsʌkər/

succor

Meaning
Assistance and support in times of hardship or distress.
Example
The charity provided succor to the flood victims.
B1 adjective /skɪld/

Skilled

Meaning
having or showing the knowledge, ability, or training to perform certain activities or work well
Example
He is a skilled carpenter who can build beautiful furniture.
C1 adjective skiˈmæt.ɪk

Schematic

Meaning
Presenting some framework or concept briefly
Example
The engineer provided a schematic diagram of the project.
B2 noun /ˌsɪm.ɪˈlær.ə.ti/

Similarity

Meaning
the quality or state of being similar; resemblance
Example
There is a striking similarity between the two paintings.
A2 noun /spuːn/

Spoon

Meaning
an implement consisting of a small, shallow bowl on a long handle, used for eating, stirring, and serving food
Example
He used a spoon to eat his soup.
C1 noun /ˈsaɪ.ən/

scion

Meaning
a descendant of a wealthy, aristocratic, or influential family
Example
He is the scion of a wealthy industrialist family.
B1 noun səˈplaɪ

supply

Meaning
A stock or amount of something supplied or available for use.
Example
Supply chains ensure resource availability.
C2 noun /ˈspuːnərɪzəm/

spoonerism

Meaning
A verbal error in which the initial sounds of words are swapped to create a humorous effect.
Example
He made a spoonerism by saying 'queer old dean' instead of 'dear old queen'.
A2 noun /ˈstreɪndʒər/

Stranger

Meaning
a person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar
Example
Never take candy from a stranger.
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.
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.
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.
B2 noun, adjective /ˈsoʊʃəlɪst/

socialist

Meaning
a person who advocates for socialism; relating to socialism
Example
He is a well-known socialist writer.
C1 adjective /sɪmˈfɒnɪk/

symphonic

Meaning
relating to or having the character of a symphony or symphony orchestra
Example
The concert featured a symphonic masterpiece.
C2 noun /ˈskɜː.vi/

scurvy

Meaning
A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to weakness, gum disease, and bleeding.
Example
Sailors often suffered from scurvy during long sea voyages without fresh fruits.
C1 adjective /ʃruːd/

Shrewd

Meaning
having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute
Example
The shrewd businessman made a profitable deal in the competitive market.
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 /sɪˈdʌk.ʃən/

Seduction

Meaning
the action of seducing someone; temptation to do something wrong
Example
He fell victim to the seduction of easy money.
C1 noun ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk ˈseɪvɪŋz

systematic savings

Meaning
A structured and organized approach to regularly saving money according to a planned schedule
Example
Systematic savings can mitigate financial crises in old age.
C1 noun /səˈprɑːnoʊ/

soprano

Meaning
the highest female or boy’s singing voice
Example
She sang beautifully in the soprano range during the concert.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪnəl/

sentinel

Meaning
A soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
Example
A sentinel stood at the entrance of the camp.
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.
B2 noun /səkˈses.ər/

Successor

Meaning
a person who succeeds another in office; someone who takes over a position or role
Example
The CEO announced his retirement and named his successor for the company.
B2 noun /soʊp keɪs/

Soap case

Meaning
a container used to store soap
Example
She bought a beautiful soap case for the bathroom.
C1 noun ˈsɒv.rɪn.ti

sovereignty

Meaning
The authority of a state to govern itself or another state; supreme power or authority.
Example
Sovereignty is essential for a nation's identity.
C2 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈsɪv.ə.laɪzd/

semicivilized

Meaning
Partially civilized; having some aspects of civilization but not fully developed.
Example
The tribe was described as semicivilized by early explorers.
A2 noun /ʃiːp/

sheep

Meaning
a farm animal with thick wool that is raised for its wool, meat, and milk
Example
The farmer keeps a large flock of sheep.
C1 adjective /ˈspɪndli/

spindly

Meaning
Long, thin, and weak-looking
Example
The spindly tree bent under the weight of the snow.
B2 noun /ˈsɛnsər/

sensor

Meaning
a device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or responds to it
Example
The motion sensor turned on the light automatically.
C2 adjective /ˈswɔːrði/

swarthy

Meaning
Having a dark complexion or skin tone.
Example
The sailor had a swarthy face from years under the sun.
C2 verb /səˈbɔːrn/

suborn

Meaning
to bribe or induce someone unlawfully to perform an act, especially to commit perjury
Example
The lawyer was accused of trying to suborn a witness.
A1 modal verb /ʃʊd/

should

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

Silk-worm

Meaning
the caterpillar of a moth that produces silk fibers used to make silk fabric
Example
Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves to produce silk.
C1 noun /sɔɪl ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/

soil management

Meaning
The application of operations, practices, and treatments to protect soil and enhance its performance.
Example
Proper soil management improves long-term agricultural productivity.
B2 adjective /ʃɪər/

Sheer

Meaning
complete; absolute; transparent; very steep
Example
It was sheer luck that we found the place.
B2 noun, verb /skruː/

screw

Meaning
a metal fastener with a helical ridge; to fasten or tighten something with a screw
Example
He screwed the shelf to the wall tightly.
A2 adjective /streɪt/

Straight

Meaning
extending or moving uniformly in one direction; not curved or bent; honest
Example
Draw a straight line from point A to point B.
B2 verb /səʊ/

sew

Meaning
to join pieces of fabric or material together using a needle and thread
Example
She learned to sew her own clothes at an early age.
C1 verb /ʃɜːrk/

shirk

Meaning
to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility
Example
He always tries to shirk his responsibilities at work.
C2 adjective /ˈsɛpərəbəl/

separable

Meaning
Capable of being separated or divided.
Example
The two issues are separable and should be discussed independently.
C2 noun /stɒˈkeɪd/

stockade

Meaning
a defensive barrier made of strong posts or timbers, often around a fort or prison
Example
The prisoners were kept inside the wooden stockade.
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.
C2 noun /staɪn/

stein

Meaning
A large beer mug, typically made of glass or stoneware.
Example
He raised his stein to toast his friends.
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.
B2 noun /ˈsɪɡ.nəlz/

signals

Meaning
A gesture, action, or sound conveying information or instructions.
Example
Signals from deep space were detected last week.
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.
C1 noun /ˈsɔːl.tɪd fɪʃ/

Salted fish

Meaning
fish preserved with salt; dried and salted fish for storage
Example
Salted fish is a traditional way to preserve seafood.
C1 noun /sɔːd fɪʃ/

Sword fish

Meaning
A large marine fish with an elongated bill resembling a sword
Example
The swordfish can swim at speeds up to 60 mph.
C1 noun /sɪˈnɪləti/

senility

Meaning
The state of being old and showing the weaknesses of age, especially mental decline.
Example
His forgetfulness was attributed to senility.
C1 noun /ˈskwɒtər/

squatter

Meaning
a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land
Example
The police removed the squatters from the abandoned house.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈsɑːdn/

sodden

Meaning
thoroughly soaked or saturated with liquid
Example
His clothes were sodden after the heavy rain.
C1 adjective /ˈspraɪtli/

sprightly

Meaning
full of energy and life; lively
Example
The sprightly old man danced with joy at the wedding.
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 verb /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt/

speculate

Meaning
To form a theory or guess without firm evidence; to invest in stocks, property, etc. hoping for profit.
Example
Experts speculate that the company may expand into new markets.
B1 verb /ˈsʌfər/

suffer

Meaning
to experience pain, distress, or hardship
Example
She suffered from a severe headache all day.
B1 verb /sɪˈlekt/

select

Meaning
to choose from a number of alternatives; to pick out
Example
Please select your favorite color.
C1 verb /splaɪs/

splice

Meaning
to join two pieces of rope, film, or other material by weaving or attaching them together
Example
The technician spliced the two wires to restore the connection.
B2 adjective /suːˈpriːm/

Supreme

Meaning
highest in rank, authority, or quality; greatest; most important
Example
The Supreme Court made the final decision.
B2 noun /ˈskʌlp.tər/

Sculptor

Meaning
an artist who creates sculptures by carving, modeling, or shaping materials
Example
The sculptor spent months creating a beautiful marble statue.
C2 noun /ˈseɪ.ɡoʊ/

Sago

Meaning
starchy foodstuff obtained from the pith of various tropical palm stems
Example
She prepared sago pudding for dessert.
C1 noun /ˈstɪɡmə/

stigma

Meaning
a mark of shame or disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
Example
There is still a stigma around mental health issues in many societies.
A1 adverb /soʊ/

so

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