Spade
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B2 noun /speɪd/

Spade

Meaning
a tool with a flat blade for digging; a playing card suit
Example
The gardener used a spade to dig holes for planting flowers.
B2 noun /ˈsiː.krə.si/

Secrecy

Meaning
the practice of keeping something secret; the state of being kept hidden
Example
The project was conducted in complete secrecy.
B2 noun /ˈsɪmp.təmz/

symptoms

Meaning
signs or indications of a disease or condition
Example
Fever and cough are common symptoms of the flu.
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.
B2 noun /ˈsɑːrˌkæzəm/

sarcasm

Meaning
The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
Example
His sarcasm often made people laugh but sometimes offended them.
B2 verb /ʃɛd/

shed

Meaning
to let something fall off naturally, such as leaves, hair, or tears
Example
Trees shed their leaves in autumn.
B2 noun, adjective /ˈsoʊʃəlɪst/

socialist

Meaning
a person who advocates for socialism; relating to socialism
Example
He is a well-known socialist writer.
B2 noun ˈsʌbˌaɪtəlz

subtitles

Meaning
Captions displayed at the bottom of a movie or television screen that translate or transcribe the dialogue or narrative.
Example
Use subtitles for better understanding.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊpi/

Soapy

Meaning
covered with soap; having the characteristics of soap; foamy
Example
The dishes were still soapy after washing.
B2 noun /ˈstrʌk.tʃərz/

structures

Meaning
Buildings or other objects constructed from several parts.
Example
The region has ancient structures.
B2 noun sɛlf rɪˈlaɪ.əns

self-reliance

Meaning
Reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others; independence.
Example
Self-reliance helps build confidence.
B2 verb /ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/

specify

Meaning
to state or describe something clearly and exactly
Example
Please specify the time and place of the meeting.
B2 noun ˌsensɪˈtɪvɪti

sensitivity

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

suspend

Meaning
To temporarily stop something from being active or valid.
Example
The company decided to suspend his membership.
B2 noun, verb /stɛm/

stem

Meaning
Noun: The main stalk of a plant. Verb: To stop or restrict the flow or development of something.
Example
The gardener cut the stem of the rose; New policies aim to stem the flow of pollution.
B2 noun /ˈʃəʊ.keɪs/

showcase

Meaning
A display case or exhibition; to present something in an attractive or favorable way.
Example
The exhibition showcased the artist's best works.
B2 noun /səˈspɪʃən/

Suspicion

Meaning
a feeling or thought that someone is guilty of an illegal or dishonest activity
Example
The police arrested him on suspicion of theft.
B2 adjective /ˈspɒtɪd/

Spotted

Meaning
having spots or marks; noticed or seen
Example
The spotted leopard moved silently through the jungle.
B2 verb /skæn/

scan

Meaning
To look at something carefully or quickly; to digitally copy or capture an image or document.
Example
She scanned the document before sending it by email.
B2 verb /səˈrɛndər/

surrender

Meaning
to give up or yield to an opponent or authority
Example
The army finally surrendered after weeks of fighting.
B2 noun ˌspɛk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən

speculation

Meaning
Investment in stocks, property, or other ventures in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss.
Example
Stock market speculation can lead to high volatility.
B2 noun /ˈsmɑːrt.nəs/

Smartness

Meaning
intelligence; cleverness; neat and fashionable appearance
Example
Her smartness in solving problems impressed everyone.
B2 noun /ˌspeʃiˈælɪti/

Speciality

Meaning
a particular area of activity or interest that someone focuses on; expertise in a specific field
Example
His speciality is Italian cuisine.
B2 noun /ˈskriːnɪŋ/

screening

Meaning
the act of examining or testing people to detect disease or evaluate suitability; a showing of a movie or program
Example
The hospital offered free health screening for all employees.
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.
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.
B2 verb /ʃriːk/

shriek

Meaning
to make a loud, high-pitched cry
Example
She shrieked when she saw the spider.
B2 adverb /ˈskeəs.li/

Scarcely

Meaning
hardly; barely; only just
Example
I could scarcely believe my eyes.
B2 noun /sloʊp/

Slope

Meaning
an inclined surface; a piece of ground that is not level
Example
We walked up the steep slope of the mountain.
B2 verb /sweɪ/

sway

Meaning
To move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically back and forth; to influence someone's opinion or decision.
Example
The trees swayed gently in the breeze.
B2 noun /ˈspɛktrəm/

spectrum

Meaning
A range of different things, often related to colors, ideas, or classifications.
Example
The festival attracted people from across the political spectrum.
B2 adverb /ˈstrɪktli/

strictly

Meaning
in a way that follows rules or limits completely
Example
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the building.
B2 noun /ˈskɒlərʃɪp/

scholarship

Meaning
an award or grant to support a student's education
Example
She received a scholarship to study abroad.
B2 adverb /ˈsiː.krət.li/

secretly

Meaning
in a way that is hidden or not known by others
Example
She secretly planned a surprise party for her friend.
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.
B2 adjective /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl/

surgical

Meaning
relating to or involving surgery
Example
She underwent surgical treatment to repair the damage.
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.
B2 adjective, verb (past) /səˈspɛndɪd/

suspended

Meaning
Temporarily not allowed, stopped, or hanging.
Example
He was suspended from school for a week.
B2 adjective /senˈseɪʃənəl/

Sensational

Meaning
causing great excitement or shock; extremely impressive
Example
The sensational performance left the audience speechless.
B2 adjective /ˈstɑː.ri/

Starry

Meaning
full of stars; shining like stars; relating to stars
Example
We enjoyed the starry night sky while camping in the mountains.
B2 verb /ˈstreɪtən/

straighten

Meaning
to make something straight or tidy; to correct or organize
Example
She straightened her hair before the meeting.
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.
B2 noun /sɪnˈserɪti/

Sincerity

Meaning
the quality of being free from pretense or deceit; honesty
Example
His sincerity in apologizing was evident to everyone.
B2 verb /spɪn/

spin

Meaning
To turn around quickly or cause something to rotate
Example
The dancer began to spin gracefully on the stage.
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.
B2 noun /ˈspætʃ.ʊ.lə/

Spatula

Meaning
a kitchen utensil with a flat, flexible blade used for mixing, spreading, or lifting food
Example
I used a spatula to flip the pancakes in the pan.
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 noun /skrɪpt/

script

Meaning
The written text of a play, film, or broadcast; handwriting style.
Example
The actor memorized his lines from the script.
B2 verb /stæk/

stack

Meaning
to arrange things in a neat pile or one on top of another
Example
He stacked the books neatly on the shelf.
B2 noun/verb /swɔːrm/

swarm

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

suite

Meaning
a set of rooms designated for one person's or family's use or for a particular purpose
Example
They stayed in the presidential suite at the hotel.
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 /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.
B2 noun ˈskeə.sɪ.ti

scarcity

Meaning
The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
Example
Water scarcity threatens agriculture.
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.
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 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.
B2 verb /stroʊk/

stroke

Meaning
to move your hand gently over something; to hit or touch something gently
Example
She stroked the cat's fur gently.
B2 noun ˈstɪmjələs

stimulus

Meaning
A thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue.
Example
Plants respond to external stimulus.
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.
B2 verb /ˈskroʊlɪŋ/

scrolling

Meaning
Moving through content on a screen by sliding up or down.
Example
Scrolling through feeds wastes a lot of time.
B2 noun /spaɪn/

Spine

Meaning
the backbone or vertebral column of a vertebrate; the central support of a structure
Example
She injured her spine in the accident.
B2 noun /ˈsʌb.sɪ.di/

subsidy

Meaning
Financial assistance provided by government to reduce costs of goods or services.
Example
The government provides a fuel subsidy to control prices.
B2 verb, noun /sniːz/

sneeze

Meaning
to expel air involuntarily from the nose and mouth due to irritation; the act of sneezing
Example
I had to sneeze during the meeting.
B2 adjective /suːˈpɜːrb/

superb

Meaning
extremely good; excellent
Example
The hotel provided superb service during our stay.
B2 noun /ˈspɛk.tə.kəl/

spectacle

Meaning
An impressive display or performance for viewers.
Example
The fireworks created a breathtaking spectacle in the night sky.
B2 adjective /ˈstɜːrdi/

sturdy

Meaning
strongly and solidly built; not easily weakened
Example
The carpenter made a sturdy wooden table.
B2 noun /spɑːrk/

Spark

Meaning
a small fiery particle thrown off from a fire; a flash of light; something that triggers or initiates
Example
A spark from the campfire ignited the dry leaves.
B2 noun /skoʊp/

scope

Meaning
the range of one's perception, understanding, or activity
Example
The project is beyond the scope of our resources.
B2 noun /ˈset.əl.mənt/

Settlement

Meaning
a place where people establish a community; an agreement that ends a dispute
Example
The early settlement was built near the river for easy access to water.
B2 adjective /slɪk/

slick

Meaning
Smooth, clever, or efficient, often in a way that seems superficial.
Example
He gave a slick presentation to impress the investors.
B2 noun /ˈsæŋk.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sanctuary

Meaning
A place of safety, refuge, or protection; a sacred place.
Example
The forest is a sanctuary for endangered animals.
B2 adjective /ˈstaɪ.lɪʃ/

Stylish

Meaning
fashionable and attractive; having elegance or taste in appearance
Example
She wore a stylish dress to the party.
B2 noun /ˈsɒlɪtjuːd/

solitude

Meaning
The state or situation of being alone.
Example
Solitude can provide the opportunity for deep reflection.
B2 noun /sɛnt/

scent

Meaning
a distinctive smell, especially a pleasant one
Example
The scent of roses filled the garden.
B2 noun /ˈsɛtlər/

settler

Meaning
a person who settles in a new area or land
Example
The settlers arrived in the new town and started building homes.
B2 adjective /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

striking

Meaning
very noticeable or impressive in appearance or effect
Example
Her striking beauty caught everyone's attention.
B2 adverb /ˈsiː.mɪŋ.li/

seemingly

Meaning
appearing to be true, but not necessarily so
Example
He was seemingly calm despite the chaos around him.
B2 adjective /ˈslɪp.ər.i/

Slippery

Meaning
smooth and difficult to hold; causing sliding or slipping
Example
The wet floor was very slippery after cleaning.
B2 noun /ˈsɪmbəl/

Symbol

Meaning
a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process
Example
The dove is a symbol of peace.
B2 noun /stɔːrk/

Stork

Meaning
large wading bird with long legs and a long neck
Example
The stork built its nest on top of the tall chimney.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊkswɪmən/

spokeswoman

Meaning
a woman who speaks on behalf of a group or organization
Example
The spokeswoman for the company announced the new product.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːr.tɪdʒ/

Shortage

Meaning
a lack or deficiency of something that is needed or expected
Example
There is a severe water shortage in the region.
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.
B2 noun /ˈskuːtər/

scooter

Meaning
a small two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine or electricity
Example
She rides a scooter to work every day.
B2 verb /ʃrɪŋk/

shrink

Meaning
to become smaller in size; to draw back in fear
Example
The sweater shrank after washing in hot water.
B2 noun /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpər/

Skyscraper

Meaning
a very tall building of many stories
Example
The new skyscraper dominates the city's skyline.
B2 adjective /ˈʃeɪm.fəl/

Shameful

Meaning
causing shame; disgraceful; embarrassing
Example
His shameful behavior embarrassed the entire family.
B2 noun /ˈsɪnθɪsɪs/

synthesis

Meaning
The combination of ideas to form a theory or system.
Example
The synthesis of ideas from multiple perspectives led to innovation.
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 /sniːk/

sneak

Meaning
to move quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed
Example
He tried to sneak into the house without waking anyone.
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.
B2 noun /sɪv/

Seive

Meaning
a utensil consisting of a wire or plastic mesh held in a frame, used for straining solids from liquids
Example
She used a sieve to separate the flour from lumps.
B2 noun /ˈspɒnsəʃɪp/

sponsorship

Meaning
the act of supporting an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through other resources
Example
The event was made possible due to the sponsorship of several big companies.
B2 verb /skreɪp/

scrape

Meaning
to remove or damage the surface of something by rubbing or scratching; to collect something by effort
Example
He scraped his knee while playing football.
B2 noun /spaɪt/

spite

Meaning
a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone
Example
She refused the gift out of spite.
B2 verb ˈsiːlɪŋ

sealing

Meaning
The action of closing or blocking something to prevent entry or escape.
Example
Sealing cracks in the walls can prevent pests from entering.
B2 adjective /ˈspiː.di/

Speedy

Meaning
moving or happening quickly; fast
Example
The speedy delivery service arrived within an hour.
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.
B2 verb /siːz/

seize

Meaning
To take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
Example
The police managed to seize the stolen goods.
B2 noun /səbˈskraɪbər/

subscriber

Meaning
a person who receives or subscribes to a service, magazine, or service
Example
She is a subscriber to the monthly magazine.
B2 noun/verb /skræp/

scrap

Meaning
A small piece of something; to discard or get rid of something.
Example
He used a scrap of paper to jot down the number.
B2 verb, noun /stɔːl/

stall

Meaning
to stop or cause to stop temporarily; a small shop or stand
Example
The car stalled on the way to the office.
B2 noun /ˈseɪf.ɡɑːrd/

Safeguard

Meaning
measure or action designed to protect someone or something
Example
New safeguards were implemented to prevent data breaches.
B2 noun/verb /skɔːrn/

scorn

Meaning
the feeling or expression of contempt or disdain; to treat with contempt
Example
She looked at him with open scorn.
B2 adjective /ˈsɛkʃʊəl/

sexual

Meaning
relating to the instincts, physiological processes, and activities connected with physical attraction or intimate physical contact between individuals
Example
The sexual health of individuals is an important topic in modern medicine.
B2 noun /ˈstiː.mər/

Steamer

Meaning
a ship or boat powered by steam engines
Example
The old steamer crossed the river slowly.
B2 adjective /ˈskɪni/

Skinny

Meaning
very thin; having little flesh or fat on the body
Example
The skinny cat looked like it hadn't eaten for days.
B2 noun /sliːv/

Sleeve

Meaning
the part of a garment that covers the arm
Example
She rolled up her sleeves before starting to cook.
B2 noun /ˈskɒl.ər/

Scholar

Meaning
a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it; an academic
Example
The renowned scholar published several books on ancient history.
B2 noun /siːdʒ/

siege

Meaning
A military operation in which a place is surrounded to force its surrender.
Example
The castle fell after a long siege.
B2 noun /ˈsleɪvəri/

slavery

Meaning
the system or state of being owned and forced to work for someone else
Example
Slavery was abolished in most countries in the 19th century.
B2 adjective /stɜːrn/

Stern

Meaning
serious and demanding exact conformity to rules; strict and severe
Example
The teacher gave the students a stern warning about cheating.
B2 noun ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən

sanitation

Meaning
Conditions relating to public health, especially the provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.
Example
Good sanitation practices are key to preventing infestations.
B2 adjective /ˌsɪm.pəˈθet.ɪk/

Sympathetic

Meaning
showing compassion or understanding for someone's feelings or situation
Example
She was very sympathetic when I told her about my problems.
B2 adjective /ˈskætərd/

Scattered

Meaning
spread widely apart; dispersed; occurring here and there
Example
Scattered showers are expected throughout the day.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːrt.kʌm.ɪŋ/

Shortcoming

Meaning
a fault or failure to meet a certain standard; a deficiency
Example
Despite his many talents, he has some shortcomings.
B2 adjective /ˈstɪki/

sticky

Meaning
having the quality of adhering or clinging; difficult to remove or deal with
Example
The candy is too sticky to eat with your hands.
B2 adjective /slæk/

slack

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