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C1 noun /səˈnɑːtə/

sonata

Meaning
A musical composition for one or more instruments, typically in several movements.
Example
She performed a beautiful Beethoven sonata on the piano.
C2 noun /ˌʃæŋɡriˈlɑː/

shangri-la

Meaning
a remote, beautiful, imaginary place where life is perfect and peaceful
Example
They described the island as a modern-day Shangri-La.
B2 noun ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈdʒʌs.tɪs

social justice

Meaning
Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
Example
Social justice ensures equality of opportunity.
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.
C1 noun /sɪˈsɛʃən/

secession

Meaning
The action of formally withdrawing from membership of a federation or body.
Example
The secession of the southern states led to the Civil War.
A1 verb /sɪt/

sit

Meaning
to rest in a seated position; to be located
Example
Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.
C1 noun /ʃɑːrd/

shard

Meaning
a broken piece of glass, metal, or pottery
Example
He cut his finger on a shard of glass.
C2 noun /sɜːrˈsiːs/

surcease

Meaning
a temporary or final ending or stopping of something
Example
The noise finally came to a surcease after midnight.
C1 adjective /sɪmˈfɒnɪk/

symphonic

Meaning
relating to or having the character of a symphony or symphony orchestra
Example
The concert featured a symphonic masterpiece.
B1 noun ˈstrætədʒi

strategy

Meaning
A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.
Example
The strategy ensured success.
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.
C1 adjective /ˌsʌbˈkɒn.ʃəs/

subconscious

Meaning
Of or concerning the part of the mind which one is not fully aware of but which influences actions and feelings.
Example
Fears often come from the subconscious mind.
A1 verb /sliːp/

sleep

Meaning
to rest with eyes closed and reduced consciousness; to be inactive
Example
I need to sleep for eight hours every night.
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.
B2 noun /sɛnˈseɪʃən/

Sensation

Meaning
a physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body; a widespread reaction of interest and excitement
Example
The new singer became an overnight sensation.
A2 noun /spiːd/

Speed

Meaning
the rate at which someone or something moves or operates
Example
The car reached a speed of 100 miles per hour.
B2 noun /ˈsɒlɪtjuːd/

solitude

Meaning
The state or situation of being alone.
Example
Solitude can provide the opportunity for deep reflection.
C1 adjective, verb /sɪˈdeɪt/

sedate

Meaning
calm, quiet, and composed; or to administer a drug to make someone calm or sleep
Example
The nurse sedated the patient before the operation.
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.
B1 adverb /sɪnˈsɪrli/

sincerely

Meaning
with genuine feelings; honestly and truly
Example
I sincerely hope you recover soon.
A2 noun /ˈseɪf.ti/

Safety

Meaning
condition of being protected from danger, risk, or injury
Example
The company prioritizes workplace safety above all else.
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.
A1 adverb /suːn/

Soon

Meaning
in a short time; before long; quickly
Example
The train will arrive soon.
C1 adjective /ˈʃeɪp.ləs/

Shapeless

Meaning
having no definite or well-defined shape or form
Example
The fog created a shapeless mass in the distance.
C1 verb /skɪmp/

skimp

Meaning
to use less of something than is necessary in order to save money or effort
Example
Don’t skimp on quality when buying a new laptop.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪp.ʃeɪp/

Shipshape

Meaning
neat and tidy; in good order; well-organized
Example
Everything was shipshape before the inspection.
C1 verb /siːð/

seethe

Meaning
To be filled with intense but unexpressed anger or agitation.
Example
She was seething with anger after the unfair decision.
B2 verb /saɪ/

sigh

Meaning
to let out a long, deep breath as an expression of tiredness, relief, or sadness
Example
She sighed with relief when she heard the good news.
A2 noun /ˈstændərd/

standard

Meaning
a level of quality or achievement, or a measure of comparison
Example
This car meets all the safety standards.
C1 adjective /ˈsɪm.jʊ.leɪ.tɪd/

simulated

Meaning
Artificially created to look real but not actually real.
Example
The pilot trained in a simulated flight environment.
C1 noun/verb /ˈskɜːrmɪʃ/

skirmish

Meaning
a small or brief fight between groups of soldiers; to engage in such a fight
Example
The soldiers got into a skirmish near the border.
B2 noun /ˈsiː.mən/

Seaman

Meaning
a person who works on a ship; sailor
Example
The experienced seaman navigated the ship through the storm.
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.
A2 noun /saɪz/

size

Meaning
the physical dimensions, proportions, or magnitude of something
Example
This shirt is too small in size for me.
B2 noun /ˈsætaɪər/

satire

Meaning
The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize people's stupidity or vices.
Example
The play was a brilliant satire on modern politics.
B2 adjective /suːˈpriːm/

Supreme

Meaning
highest in rank, authority, or quality; greatest; most important
Example
The Supreme Court made the final decision.
A2 noun /ˈstrɔːbəri/

Strawberry

Meaning
a small red heart-shaped fruit with tiny seeds on the surface and sweet taste
Example
I love eating fresh strawberries with cream during summer.
C1 noun /sɪlt/

silt

Meaning
Fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
Example
The river deposited layers of silt along its banks.
B2 adjective /ˈspɪr.ɪ.tʃu.əl/

Spiritual

Meaning
relating to the human spirit or soul; religious or sacred
Example
She found spiritual peace through meditation.
B2 verb /stɜːr/

stir

Meaning
to mix or move something in a circular motion, especially in liquid
Example
She stirred the soup to make sure it didn't burn.
B1 verb /ʃaʊt/

shout

Meaning
to say something very loudly
Example
He shouted at the top of his lungs to get their attention.
B2 verb /slæm/

slam

Meaning
to close or hit something with great force
Example
He slammed the door angrily after the argument.
B1 noun /ˈʃoʊldər/

Shoulder

Meaning
the part of the body between the neck and the arm
Example
He carried the bag over his shoulder.
C1 adjective /səˈdɪs.tɪk/

sadistic

Meaning
Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others.
Example
The villain had a sadistic smile while hurting his enemies.
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.
B2 noun ˈstræt.ɪ.dʒiz

strategies

Meaning
A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim; the art of planning and directing operations.
Example
Effective strategies can mitigate climate change impacts.
B1 noun /slaɪs/

Slice

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

Sedition

Meaning
conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against authority; treason
Example
The activist was charged with sedition for his inflammatory speeches.
B2 adjective /slæk/

slack

Meaning
not tight, firm, or busy; lacking tension or activity
Example
Business is slack during the rainy season.
A2 noun ˈsaɪəns

science

Meaning
The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
Example
Science continues to explore the unknown.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊksmən/

spokesman

Meaning
a person who speaks on behalf of others, especially for a group or organization
Example
The spokesman addressed the crowd during the rally.
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.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlf əˌfɜːˈmeɪʃən/

self-affirmation

Meaning
The practice of affirming one's own worthiness and value as an individual.
Example
Daily self-affirmation can boost your confidence.
C1 noun /ˈstɪklər/

stickler

Meaning
a person who insists on a certain quality or standard of behavior
Example
He is a stickler for punctuality and never tolerates delays.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmli/

seemly

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

squash

Meaning
to crush or squeeze something with force so that it becomes flat or broken
Example
She accidentally squashed the bug with her shoe.
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.
A2 adjective /ˈsʌn.i/

Sunny

Meaning
bright with sunlight; cheerful and optimistic
Example
It's a beautiful sunny day perfect for a picnic.
C2 adjective /ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/

sycophantic

Meaning
Behaving in a way that is excessively obedient or servile to gain favor.
Example
His sycophantic behavior annoyed his colleagues.
A2 noun səkˈsɛs

success

Meaning
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit
Example
Success requires focus and determination.
B1 verb /ˈstɒpɪŋ/

stopping

Meaning
Coming to a halt or pause.
Example
The ship is stopping at the Falkland Islands.
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.
B2 verb /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/

succeeding

Meaning
coming after or following in order; continuing to succeed
Example
In the succeeding years, the company expanded rapidly.
B2 verb /səbˈskraɪb/

subscribe

Meaning
to pay to receive a service regularly; to agree with or support something
Example
I subscribe to several online magazines.
B2 adjective /slaɪ/

sly

Meaning
Clever in a deceitful or cunning way.
Example
She gave him a sly smile.
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 noun /sərˈvaɪvər/

Survivor

Meaning
a person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died
Example
She is a cancer survivor who now helps other patients.
A2 noun /ˈsɪriz/

Series

Meaning
a number of events, objects, or people of a similar or related kind coming one after another; a set of related television or radio programmes
Example
The detective series ran for five successful seasons.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊbər/

Sober

Meaning
not affected by alcohol; serious and thoughtful; moderate
Example
He remained sober throughout the celebration.
B2 verb /ʃrʌɡ/

shrug

Meaning
To raise and lower the shoulders to express uncertainty or indifference.
Example
He shrugged when asked about the missing file.
B2 adjective /ˈspiːtʃləs/

speechless

Meaning
Unable to speak because of shock, surprise, or strong emotion.
Example
She was speechless when she received the award.
B1 noun /ˈsteɪt.mənt/

Statement

Meaning
a definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing; an official account of facts
Example
The CEO issued a statement about the company's future plans.
B2 verb /ˈʃætər/

shatter

Meaning
To break suddenly into many small pieces.
Example
The glass will shatter if you drop it.
C2 verb /səbˈsjuːm/

subsume

Meaning
To include or absorb something into a larger group or category.
Example
Minor details were subsumed under the main topic.
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 noun /ˈʃæmbəlz/

shambles

Meaning
a state of complete disorder or ruin
Example
After the storm, the whole town was in shambles.
B2 verb /ʃʌv/

shove

Meaning
to push someone or something roughly
Example
He shoved the box into the corner.
B2 noun /ˈskændəl/

scandal

Meaning
an event or action that causes public outrage or damage to one's reputation
Example
The politician's affair became a public scandal.
B2 noun /ˌsuːvəˈnɪər/

Souvenir

Meaning
a thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event; a memento
Example
I bought a small souvenir from the gift shop.
B2 adjective /ˈʃeɪ.ki/

Shaky

Meaning
unstable; trembling; unreliable; weak
Example
His voice was shaky with nervousness.
C2 adjective /spraɪ/

spry

Meaning
active and lively, especially in old age
Example
The spry grandmother surprised everyone with her quick dance steps.
B2 noun /ˈspɔːrtsmən/

sportsman

Meaning
A person who is skilled in sports or enjoys participating in athletic activities.
Example
He is a true sportsman, always fair and respectful to his opponents.
B2 verb /straɪv/

strive

Meaning
To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
Example
She strives to be the best student in her class.
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 /ˈskɒlərʃɪp/

scholarship

Meaning
an award or grant to support a student's education
Example
She received a scholarship to study abroad.
A2 verb /səkˈsiːd/

succeed

Meaning
to achieve the desired aim or result; to do well
Example
She worked hard to succeed in her career.
B2 noun /sfɪər/

sphere

Meaning
a round, three-dimensional shape that is perfectly symmetrical around its center; an area of activity or knowledge
Example
The Earth is almost a perfect sphere.
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.
B2 verb /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

sympathize

Meaning
to feel sorry for someone; to understand and share someone's feelings
Example
I sympathize with your loss.
C2 adjective /ˌsʌb.əˈkwɒt.ɪk/

subaquatic

Meaning
Existing, living, or located under water.
Example
Divers explored the subaquatic cave system filled with rare fish.
C2 noun ˈsɒmnələns

somnolence

Meaning
A state of drowsiness or sleepiness; inclination to sleep.
Example
The somnolence after a heavy meal made it hard to concentrate.
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.
C2 noun /slaɪt/

sleight

Meaning
Skill or dexterity, especially in performing tricks.
Example
The magician amazed the crowd with his sleight of hand.
C2 verb /ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪt/

scintillate

Meaning
to sparkle or shine brightly; to emit flashes of light
Example
The diamond ring scintillated under the bright lights.
C2 adjective /sɒmˈnɪfərəs/

somniferous

Meaning
Tending to induce sleep; soporific.
Example
The professor's somniferous lecture put half the class to sleep.
B2 noun /ˌsɛlf əˈwɛə.nəs/

self-awareness

Meaning
Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.
Example
Self-awareness helps in understanding one's emotions and actions.
A1 determiner /sʌm/

some

Meaning
an unspecified amount or number of something
Example
I have some money in my wallet.
C1 noun /ʃraɪn/

Shrine

Meaning
a holy or sacred place dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, or saint
Example
Pilgrims visit the shrine to pray for good health.
C1 noun /ˈsɪstərhʊd/

sisterhood

Meaning
The relationship between sisters, or a community of women united by shared experiences or goals.
Example
The feminist movement created a strong sense of sisterhood among women.
C1 noun /ˌsæbəˈtɜːr/

saboteur

Meaning
A person who engages in sabotage.
Example
The saboteur was arrested before he could plant the bomb.
B2 verb /soʊk/

soak

Meaning
to make something completely wet by immersing it in liquid
Example
She soaked the clothes in water before washing them.
B1 adjective ˈsteɪbl

stable

Meaning
Not likely to change or fail; firmly established.
Example
Strong nuclear force keeps the nucleus stable.
C1 adjective /səbˈvɜːrsɪv/

subversive

Meaning
seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority
Example
The group was banned for its subversive activities.
C1 adjective /ˈstɪndʒi/

stingy

Meaning
unwilling to spend or give; miserly
Example
He is too stingy to buy a gift for his friend.
B2 adjective /ˌsen.tɪˈmen.təl/

Sentimental

Meaning
having tender feelings; being emotional about memories or experiences
Example
She became sentimental when looking at old family photographs.
B2 noun ˈsiːzənəl ˈvedʒtəbəlz

seasonal vegetables

Meaning
Vegetables that grow during specific seasons or times of the year
Example
Seasonal vegetables grow abundantly in winter.
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.
C2 noun /ˈskʌl.i.ən/

scullion

Meaning
a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks
Example
In medieval times, a scullion was responsible for cleaning pots and pans.
C1 noun /straɪf/

strife

Meaning
angry or violent conflict; struggle or discord
Example
The region has been torn apart by political strife.
C1 verb/noun /snɑːrl/

snarl

Meaning
to growl aggressively with bared teeth; a tangle or mess
Example
The dog snarled at the stranger near the gate.
C1 adjective /səˈriːn/

serene

Meaning
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
Example
The lake had a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
B1 adjective /ˈsʌm.wʌt/

Somewhat

Meaning
to some extent; rather; moderately
Example
The movie was somewhat interesting but not great.
C1 noun ˈsɛlfləsnɪs

selflessness

Meaning
The quality of being concerned more with the needs of others than with one's own.
Example
Selflessness is a key value for community building.
A2 adjective /səkˈsɛsfəl/

Successful

Meaning
having achieved a desired aim or result; prosperous
Example
She was successful in her career as a doctor.
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.
B1 adjective /strɪkt/

Strict

Meaning
demanding exact conformity to rules; severe; rigorous
Example
The teacher is very strict about homework deadlines.
C2 noun /skriːd/

screed

Meaning
a long, tedious piece of writing or speech; also a layer of material like cement spread on a surface
Example
He delivered a long screed against corruption.
A2 noun /spiːtʃ/

Speech

Meaning
formal address or discourse delivered to an audience; the expression of thoughts in spoken words
Example
The president gave an inspiring speech to the nation.
C2 noun /ˈstætɪks/

statics

Meaning
The branch of mechanics dealing with bodies at rest and forces in equilibrium.
Example
She is studying statics as part of her engineering course.
B1 noun /sɔːrs/

Source

Meaning
a place, person, or thing from which something originates; the origin of information
Example
The river's source is high in the mountains.
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.