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A1 adjective /ˈspɛʃəl/

special

Meaning
different from what is usual; better or greater than normal
Example
This gift is very special to me.
C1 adjective /səbˈdʒɛktɪv/

subjective

Meaning
based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than facts
Example
Beauty is often considered a subjective concept.
B2 adjective səˈfɪs.tɪ.keɪ.tɪd

sophisticated

Meaning
Having great knowledge or experience of the world and knowing about fashion, culture, and other things that people think are socially important; highly developed or complex.
Example
Sophisticated designs enhance aesthetics.
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.
A1 adjective /ʃʊr/

Sure

Meaning
completely confident that something is true; certain; definitely true
Example
I am sure that he will come tomorrow.
C1 adjective səˈsaɪ.ə.təl

societal

Meaning
Relating to society or social relationships.
Example
Societal benefits of space tourism are under debate.
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.
A2 adjective /sər'praɪzd/

Surprised

Meaning
feeling or showing surprise; astonished
Example
I was surprised to see my old friend at the market.
C2 noun /ˈsɜːfdəm/

serfdom

Meaning
The status or condition of being a serf, bound to work for a lord.
Example
Many peasants in medieval Europe lived under serfdom.
C1 adjective /ˈskænti/

Scanty

Meaning
small in size or amount; insufficient; barely adequate
Example
The refugee camp had scanty food supplies.
C1 verb /səbˈstænʃieɪt/

substantiate

Meaning
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something.
Example
The lawyer worked to substantiate the claims with solid evidence.
C2 adjective /ˈslæp.dæʃ/

slapdash

Meaning
done too quickly and carelessly; hasty and careless
Example
The report was written in a slapdash manner, full of errors.
B2 adjective ˈsiːm.ləs

seamless

Meaning
A process or service that works without any interruption.
Example
A seamless checkout process improves user satisfaction.
C1 adjective /ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊniəs/

sanctimonious

Meaning
Making a show of being morally superior to others; hypocritically pious.
Example
He gave a sanctimonious speech about honesty while he himself was corrupt.
A1 verb /stænd/

stand

Meaning
to be in an upright position; to tolerate or endure
Example
Please stand up when the teacher enters.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːkwənt/

sequent

Meaning
Following in order or as a result.
Example
The sequent events changed the course of history.
B1 adverb /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/

significantly

Meaning
in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect
Example
The economy has significantly improved over the last decade.
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 /ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/

storage

Meaning
the action or method of storing something for future use
Example
The warehouse offers plenty of storage space.
B2 verb /skeər/

scare

Meaning
to frighten someone or make them feel afraid
Example
The loud noise scared the baby.
B1 verb /sɪŋk/

sink

Meaning
to go down below the surface; to descend
Example
The ship sinks in the deep ocean.
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.
B2 noun ˈskruːtɪni

scrutiny

Meaning
Critical observation or examination
Example
The new law is under scrutiny by the legislative body.
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.
C2 adjective /sɛpˈtɛnɪəl/

septennial

Meaning
Occurring every seven years.
Example
The festival is a septennial tradition in the village.
B2 verb /ˈʃɔːrtn/

shorten

Meaning
To make something shorter in length, duration, or extent
Example
She decided to shorten her speech to fit the time limit.
B2 noun /ˈsoʊlər ɪˈklɪps/

Solar eclipse

Meaning
an eclipse in which the sun is obscured by the moon passing between it and the earth
Example
The solar eclipse will be visible from our city next month.
B2 verb /spɪt/

spit

Meaning
to force liquid, especially saliva, out of the mouth
Example
He spat on the ground in anger.
B2 noun /ˈsʌm.ɪt/

summit

Meaning
A high-level meeting between leaders, especially of governments; a conference.
Example
The summit addressed pressing global issues.
B1 adjective /sɪˈlek.tɪd/

selected

Meaning
carefully chosen from a group for a particular purpose
Example
He was one of the selected candidates for the scholarship.
B2 noun /səˈvaɪvl/

survival

Meaning
the state of continuing to live or exist, typically in difficult conditions
Example
Survival in the wild can be a challenging experience.
B2 adjective /ˈspaɪ.rəl/

Spiral

Meaning
winding in a continuous curve; helical
Example
The spiral staircase led to the top floor.
C2 verb /ˈsʌbdʒʊˌɡeɪt/

subjugate

Meaning
To bring under domination or control, especially by conquest.
Example
The empire sought to subjugate the neighboring kingdoms.
A2 adjective /swiːt/

Sweet

Meaning
having a pleasant taste; kind and gentle; pleasing
Example
She has a sweet voice that everyone loves to hear.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛptɪk/

septic

Meaning
Infected with harmful bacteria; relating to or causing infection.
Example
The doctor treated the patient's septic wound immediately.
A1 noun /sɛpˈtɛmbər/

september

Meaning
The ninth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar
Example
My birthday is in September, and I always celebrate it with 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 ˈsɛv.ən ˈwʌn.dərz

Seven Wonders

Meaning
The seven most remarkable and famous structures in the world, representing architectural feats and cultural significance.
Example
The Seven Wonders of the world reflect human brilliance.
C2 noun /ˈskɔːrpiən fɪʃ/

Scorpion fish

Meaning
a type of fish with venomous spines that belongs to the family Scorpaenidae
Example
The scorpion fish has dangerous spines that can inject venom.
B2 noun /ˈsuː.ɪ.saɪd/

Suicide

Meaning
the act of intentionally killing oneself
Example
Mental health professionals work to prevent suicide.
B1 noun /ˈsɛtɪŋ/

setting

Meaning
the environment or place where something happens
Example
The setting of the movie was a beautiful beach.
C1 verb /ˈstoʊnwɔːl/

stonewall

Meaning
To delay or block progress by refusing to cooperate or answer
Example
The witness tried to stonewall during the investigation.
B2 noun /ˈsiː.mən/

Seaman

Meaning
a person who works on a ship; sailor
Example
The experienced seaman navigated the ship through the storm.
C2 adjective /ˈslʌvənli/

slovenly

Meaning
Untidy or careless in appearance, habits, or work.
Example
His slovenly appearance made a bad impression at the interview.
B2 noun /ˈʃʌtəl/

shuttle

Meaning
a vehicle or craft that travels regularly between two places.
Example
The airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes.
C1 adjective /səˈdʒɛstɪv/

suggestive

Meaning
tending to suggest ideas or images; sometimes implies something sexual or provocative
Example
The painting was highly suggestive and sparked much debate.
A1 noun /ˈsæləd/

salad

Meaning
a dish consisting of various ingredients, typically including vegetables, which are usually mixed with a dressing
Example
She made a fresh salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
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 /ˈstɛriəˌtaɪp/

stereotype

Meaning
A widely held but oversimplified and fixed idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Example
It is a stereotype that all gamers are antisocial.
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.
C2 verb /ˈsnɪvəl/

snivel

Meaning
to cry or complain in a weak or annoying way
Example
He began to snivel when he didn’t get his way.
C2 noun /ˌsɪɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

signification

Meaning
the meaning or sense conveyed by a word, action, or symbol
Example
The signification of the gesture was misunderstood.
B1 noun, verb /spoʊk/

spoke

Meaning
As a noun, a bar connecting the center of a wheel to its rim; as the past tense of 'speak'.
Example
The bicycle's spoke was bent after the accident.
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.
A1 noun /skaɪ/

Sky

Meaning
the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth
Example
The sky is blue today.
A2 verb /ˈstɑːtɪŋ/

starting

Meaning
beginning to do or experience something
Example
She is starting a new job next week.
B1 adverb /səkˈsɛsfəli/

successfully

Meaning
in a way that achieves a desired result
Example
She passed the exam successfully after weeks of studying.
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.
C2 noun /ˈsuːpsɒ̃/

soupcon

Meaning
a very small quantity of something; a trace
Example
She added just a soupcon of spice to the dish.
B2 verb /ˈsɒfən/

soften

Meaning
to make or become less hard, severe, or strong.
Example
Heat will soften the butter quickly.
C1 noun səˈlɪnɪti ɪnˈtruːʒən

salinity intrusion

Meaning
The movement of salt water into freshwater areas, typically affecting coastal regions.
Example
Salinity intrusion affects coastal regions.
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.
C1 noun ˈsæŋktɪti

sanctity

Meaning
The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly; ultimate importance.
Example
The sanctity of life should never be compromised.
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.
C2 noun /ˈʃɪbəˌlɛθ/

shibboleth

Meaning
A custom, phrase, or belief distinguishing a particular group of people, often used to identify outsiders.
Example
The phrase became a political shibboleth during the campaign.
B2 verb /ˈstreɪtən/

straighten

Meaning
to make something straight or tidy; to correct or organize
Example
She straightened her hair before the meeting.
C1 adjective /səˈnɔːrəs/

sonorous

Meaning
Deep, full, and rich in sound.
Example
The actor's sonorous voice filled the entire theater.
A2 adjective /səkˈsɛsfəl/

Successful

Meaning
having achieved a desired aim or result; prosperous
Example
She was successful in her career as a doctor.
C1 noun /ˌsɛnsɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/

sensitization

Meaning
The process of becoming sensitive to a substance, situation, or influence.
Example
The doctor warned about the sensitization caused by repeated exposure to chemicals.
B2 noun /səˈlɪsɪtər/

solicitor

Meaning
A type of lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents, often representing clients in lower courts.
Example
She consulted a solicitor before signing the contract.
B1 noun ˈsɪs.təmz

systems

Meaning
A set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole.
Example
Effective systems improve productivity.
B2 verb /suː/

sue

Meaning
to bring a lawsuit against someone in a court of law
Example
She decided to sue the company for damages.
C1 verb /səˈplænt/

supplant

Meaning
To take the place of something or someone, often by force or strategy.
Example
Digital platforms have supplanted traditional newspapers.
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 verb /ʃiːð/

sheathe

Meaning
to put a sword or knife back into its cover
Example
He quickly sheathed his sword after the duel.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtərˌfjuːdʒ/

subterfuge

Meaning
Deceit used to achieve one's goal; a trick or excuse to evade something.
Example
They used subterfuge to avoid paying taxes.
C1 adjective /ˈsæv.i/

savvy

Meaning
Having practical knowledge and the ability to make good judgments.
Example
She is a tech-savvy entrepreneur.
C2 noun /ˈsɛpəlkər/

sepulcher

Meaning
A small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is buried.
Example
The ancient king was laid to rest in a grand sepulcher.
B2 noun /səkˈsɛʃ.ən/

succession

Meaning
The process of ecological change in which one community of organisms is gradually replaced by another.
Example
Forest succession occurs when old ecosystems are replaced by new ones.
C1 noun /ˈskælpəl/

scalpel

Meaning
A small and extremely sharp bladed instrument used for surgery and dissection.
Example
The surgeon carefully used a scalpel to make the first incision.
C1 /splɪnt/

splint

Meaning
A rigid device used to support and immobilize a broken or injured body part.
Example
The doctor applied a splint to stabilize the patient's broken arm.
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.
C2 adjective /ˈsuːpaɪn/

supine

Meaning
Lying on the back, face upward; failing to act due to laziness or weakness.
Example
He lay supine on the grass, staring at the stars.
A2 noun /ˈstændərd/

standard

Meaning
a level of quality or achievement, or a measure of comparison
Example
This car meets all the safety standards.
B2 verb /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/

specialize

Meaning
to focus on a particular subject or activity and become an expert in it
Example
He decided to specialize in cardiology.
A2 noun /ˈsɪŋ.ər/

Singer

Meaning
a person who sings, especially as a job or profession
Example
The singer performed beautifully at the concert last night.
A2 noun səkˈsɛs

success

Meaning
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit
Example
Success requires focus and determination.
C1 noun /ˈstɛə.rɪ.əʊˌtaɪ.pɪŋ/

stereotyping

Meaning
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Example
Stereotyping people based on their race is harmful.
A2 noun /stɛə/

stair

Meaning
a step or set of steps leading from one level to another
Example
He tripped on the stair and fell down.
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 /stəˈtɪstɪkəl/

statistical

Meaning
relating to the use or analysis of numerical data
Example
The report provides statistical data about population growth.
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.
B2 adjective ˈstrʌktʃərəl

structural

Meaning
Relating to or forming part of a structure.
Example
The structural integrity of the bridge was tested after the storm.
B2 adjective /ˈslʌɡ.ɪʃ/

Sluggish

Meaning
slow-moving; lacking energy or alertness; inactive
Example
The old computer became sluggish after running for hours.
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.
B2 noun /ˈstiː.mər/

Steamer

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

specification

Meaning
a detailed description or assessment of something
Example
The product specification includes all the necessary details.
B2 noun, verb /steɪk/

stake

Meaning
A share or interest in a business or venture; to risk or support something of value.
Example
He has a major stake in the new company.
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.
C2 noun /ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/

schadenfreude

Meaning
pleasure derived from another person's misfortune
Example
He felt a sense of schadenfreude when his rival failed.
C2 noun /ˈsweɪʒən/

suasion

Meaning
the act of persuading or influencing someone
Example
The leader used gentle suasion to win support for the plan.
C2 adjective, noun /səbˈmɜːrsəbl/

submersible

Meaning
capable of being submerged; a small underwater craft
Example
The scientists explored the deep ocean using a submersible.
B2 verb /ˈskrɪbəl/

scribble

Meaning
to write or draw carelessly or quickly
Example
The child scribbled all over the wall.
B2 noun /ˌsɛlf ɪˈstiːm/

self-esteem

Meaning
confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect
Example
Building self-esteem takes time and consistent effort.
A1 verb /ˈstʌdi/

study

Meaning
to learn about something; to examine carefully; to research
Example
I study mathematics every evening.
A2 noun /sɜːr/

sir

Meaning
a respectful or formal form of address used for a man, typically one of higher social status or authority
Example
Sir, may I assist you with your order?
C1 adjective /ˈskeɪ.li/

Scaly

Meaning
covered with scales; having a rough surface like scales
Example
The fish has scaly skin.
A2 adverb /ˈsloʊli/

slowly

Meaning
in a slow manner
Example
She walked slowly to the door.
C2 adjective, adverb /ˈsaɪdlɔːŋ/

sidelong

Meaning
Directed to the side; indirect, furtive, or not straightforward.
Example
She gave him a sidelong glance across the room.
C1 adjective ˌsɪn.əˈdʒɪs.tɪk

synergistic

Meaning
Relating to the interaction of elements that when combined produce a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.
Example
A synergistic effect occurs when nutrients work together.
B1 noun /ˈsæl.ər.i/

Salary

Meaning
a fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly basis
Example
She receives a good salary for her work as a teacher.
B2 noun ˈʃɔːtkʌmɪŋz

shortcomings

Meaning
A fault or failure to meet a certain standard; deficiencies.
Example
Institutional shortcomings affect student behavior negatively.
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.
B1 adjective /ˈsɪniər/

senior

Meaning
having a higher rank or status; older or more experienced
Example
He is the senior manager in the department.
B2 noun /ˌsɛlf rɪˈspɛkt/

self-respect

Meaning
A feeling of pride and confidence in oneself; self-worth.
Example
She refused to compromise her self-respect by accepting unfair treatment.
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.
B2 adjective /slaɪ/

sly

Meaning
Clever in a deceitful or cunning way.
Example
She gave him a sly smile.
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 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.
B2 noun /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

suffering

Meaning
the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship
Example
They tried to relieve his suffering with medicine.
C1 noun ˈsɪmbəlɪzəm

symbolism

Meaning
The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Example
The use of symbolism in the novel is masterful.