sterling
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C1 noun/adjective /ˈstɜː.lɪŋ/

sterling

Meaning
British money, especially pounds; of excellent quality.
Example
She was praised for her sterling work on the project.
B2 verb /ɡreɪz/

graze

Meaning
To feed on grass; to touch or scrape lightly while passing.
Example
The cows graze in the meadow every morning.
B2 adjective /ˈtɛlɪŋ/

telling

Meaning
Revealing something significant or giving important information.
Example
Her silence was more telling than words.
B2 noun /flɔː/

flaw

Meaning
a defect or imperfection in something
Example
The diamond had a small flaw that was barely visible.
B1 noun /ˈmʌðər ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

mother language

Meaning
the first language a person learns from childhood; native language
Example
Children learn best when they are taught in their mother language.
B2 adjective /veɪn/

Vain

Meaning
having excessive pride in one's appearance; futile or unsuccessful
Example
She spent hours in front of the mirror being quite vain.
B2 adjective /ˈmænɪdʒəbəl/

Manageable

Meaning
able to be controlled or dealt with; feasible
Example
The workload is manageable if we plan properly.
B1 verb /əˈtætʃ/

attach

Meaning
to join or fasten something to another thing
Example
Please attach the document to the email before sending.
A1 noun /triː/

tree

Meaning
a large plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves
Example
The tree in our backyard is over a hundred years old.
B2 adjective /ˈɪnˌsaɪtfəl/

insightful

Meaning
Showing deep understanding or perceptiveness.
Example
The professor gave an insightful lecture on global economics.
B1 adjective /ˈmɪzərəbəl/

Miserable

Meaning
very unhappy; wretched; causing suffering
Example
He felt miserable after losing his job.
C2 verb /ˌfɔːrˈrʌn/

forerun

Meaning
To go before; to precede in time, place, or action.
Example
Dark clouds often forerun a storm.
B2 noun /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

Liberty

Meaning
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views
Example
The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and democracy.
B1 noun /ˈklaɪənt/

client

Meaning
A person or organization using the services of a professional or company.
Example
The lawyer met with her client to discuss the case.
A2 adjective /ˈloʊɪst/

lowest

Meaning
Of the smallest amount, extent, or intensity; minimal.
Example
The unemployment rate is at its lowest in 15 years.
C1 noun /ˌæmplɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

amplification

Meaning
the act or process of making something stronger, louder, or more intense; an expansion or elaboration of details
Example
The microphone provides amplification of the speaker’s voice.
B1 noun ɪɡˈzek.jə.tɪv

executive

Meaning
The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.
Example
The executive body enforces policies.
A2 noun /liːf/

Leaf

Meaning
a flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem
Example
The autumn leaves are falling from the tree.
C2 noun ˌæm.ɔː.tɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

amortization

Meaning
The process of paying off debt with regular payments over time.
Example
The amortization schedule showed a 10-year repayment plan.
C2 noun /niːp/

neap

Meaning
A tide just after the first or third quarters of the moon when the difference between high and low tide is least.
Example
During a neap tide, the water level change is minimal.
C1 noun/verb /ˈhɛmərɪdʒ/

hemorrhage

Meaning
A significant loss of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, or to lose blood heavily.
Example
The patient suffered a severe brain hemorrhage.
B2 noun /mɒsk/

mosque

Meaning
A Muslim place of worship.
Example
They gathered at the mosque for the Friday prayer.
C2 noun /dɪˈkæmɪtər/

decameter

Meaning
A metric unit of length equal to ten meters.
Example
The field was measured in decameters for accuracy.
B2 adjective ˈɡraʊndˌbreɪ.kɪŋ

groundbreaking

Meaning
Introducing new ideas or methods; innovative or pioneering.
Example
Groundbreaking advancements redefine innovation.
C2 adjective /kwaɪˈesnt/

Quiescent

Meaning
quiet; peaceful; inactive; dormant; at rest
Example
The volcano has been quiescent for over a century.
C1 noun /ˌprəʊˈæk.tɪv ˈliː.də.ʃɪp/

proactive leadership

Meaning
Leadership that takes initiative and anticipates problems before they occur, rather than reacting to events.
Example
Proactive leadership ensures timely decisions.
C2 adjective əˈsɪd.ju.əs

assiduous

Meaning
Showing great care and perseverance; diligent and hardworking.
Example
His assiduous efforts led to a successful career.
C1 verb /ˈlɪŋɡər/

linger

Meaning
to stay in a place longer than necessary; to persist
Example
The smell of coffee lingered in the kitchen.
C2 adjective /ˈprɪɡɪʃ/

priggish

Meaning
self-righteously moralistic and superior
Example
He came across as priggish when correcting everyone's manners.
C1 noun /ˈtruː.ənt/

Truant

Meaning
a student who stays away from school without permission; a person who shirks duty
Example
The principal called the parents when their child was caught playing truant.
C2 adjective /ˈsætərˌnaɪn/

saturnine

Meaning
slow and gloomy in mood
Example
His saturnine expression made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
A1 adjective /ˈsɔːri/

sorry

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

antecedents

Meaning
previous events, conditions, or people that influence or serve as a basis for something that follows
Example
The lawyer examined the criminal antecedents of the suspect.
C1 adjective /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/

precipitous

Meaning
Extremely steep or sudden; done quickly without careful consideration.
Example
The hikers struggled to climb the precipitous slope.
C1 noun /kəˈmoʊʃən/

commotion

Meaning
A state of noisy confusion or disturbance.
Example
The sudden commotion in the market drew everyone's attention.
B1 noun /ˈækses/

Access

Meaning
the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, or pass to and from a place
Example
Students have access to the library 24 hours a day.
C1 noun /ˈdræm.ə.tɪst/

dramatist

Meaning
a person who writes plays
Example
Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists in history.
A2 noun /treɪ/

Tray

Meaning
a flat, shallow container with a raised rim, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles
Example
She carried the cups on a wooden tray.
B2 noun /ˈtrʌmpɪt/

Trumpet

Meaning
a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; military signal instrument
Example
The soldier played the trumpet to signal the troops.
B2 noun /ˈfaʊn.tən/

Fountain

Meaning
a natural spring of water; an artificial structure from which water flows
Example
The fountain in the park attracts many visitors.
C1 verb /nʌdʒ/

nudge

Meaning
To push someone gently, usually with your elbow, in order to attract attention.
Example
She nudged him to be quiet during the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈstɪm.jʊ.laɪ/

stimuli

Meaning
Things that create reactions or provide motivation.
Example
Bright light and loud sounds are common stimuli for alertness.
B2 noun/verb /ˈslɔː.tər/

slaughter

Meaning
the killing of animals for food; killing in large numbers violently
Example
The army slaughtered hundreds of enemy soldiers.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌnɪŋ/

stunning

Meaning
extremely impressive or attractive
Example
The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely stunning.
B2 adverb /ˈædɪkwətli/

adequately

Meaning
in a satisfactory manner
Example
He completed the task adequately, but could improve next time.
B2 verb /ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/

compromise

Meaning
To expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute.
Example
Excessive sharing can compromise your privacy.
C2 verb /ɪˈdjuːs/

educe

Meaning
To draw out or bring forth something latent or hidden.
Example
The teacher tried to educe a response from the shy student.
C1 adjective /ˈɪɡ.ni.əs/

igneous

Meaning
Formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Example
Granite is an igneous rock commonly used in construction.
B2 adjective ˈel.ɪ.dʒə.bəl

eligible

Meaning
Having the right to do or obtain something through satisfaction of the appropriate conditions.
Example
Only eligible candidates are considered for appointments.
C1 noun /kʌˈstoʊ.di.ən/

Custodian

Meaning
a person who has responsibility for or looks after something; a caretaker or guardian
Example
The school custodian ensures that all buildings are clean and secure.
C2 noun /ˈfʌriər/

furrier

Meaning
A person who prepares or deals in furs.
Example
The furrier displayed fine coats in his shop.
C1 verb /ˈlɪbəreɪt/

liberate

Meaning
to set free from imprisonment, oppression, or restraint
Example
The army liberated the city from enemy control.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈhoʊli/

Unholy

Meaning
wicked; sinful; profane
Example
The unholy alliance between the two companies caused public outrage.
B2 adjective /spɒnˈteɪniəs/

Spontaneous

Meaning
done without planning; natural and unforced
Example
Their spontaneous dance in the rain was beautiful.
C1 verb /dɪˈmoʊt/

demote

Meaning
to reduce to a lower rank or position
Example
The manager decided to demote the employee for poor performance.
B1 noun /ˌkrɪstiˈænɪti/

christianity

Meaning
the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
Example
Christianity has millions of followers around the world.
C2 adjective /ˌmɛrəˈtrɪʃəs/

meretricious

Meaning
apparently attractive but having no real value or integrity.
Example
The design was flashy but meretricious.
B2 noun /dɪsˈmeɪ/

Dismay

Meaning
concern and distress caused by something unexpected; consternation or alarm
Example
To our dismay, the concert was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
B2 noun /ˌvɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

verification

Meaning
The process of establishing the truth, accuracy, or validity of something.
Example
The bank requires verification of identity before opening an account.
C1 noun /ˈnɪkəl/

nickel

Meaning
a small coin, typically worth five cents in the United States
Example
He found a nickel on the ground.
C2 noun /ˌænɪˈmɒmɪtər/

anemometer

Meaning
An instrument used to measure the speed and direction of wind.
Example
The scientist used an anemometer to record the wind speed during the storm.
C1 adjective /ˈspɛktrəl/

spectral

Meaning
Relating to a ghost or specter; ghostly. Also relating to a spectrum.
Example
The old mansion had a spectral atmosphere at night.
C1 noun /rɪˈvʌlʃən/

revulsion

Meaning
a strong feeling of disgust or repulsion
Example
She felt revulsion at the sight of the cruel act.
B1 verb /prɪˈdɪkt/

predict

Meaning
to say that something will happen in the future
Example
Scientists predict rain tomorrow.
C2 noun /ˌkɛəriˈætɪd/

caryatid

Meaning
A stone carving of a draped female figure, used as a supporting column in architecture.
Example
The ancient temple featured a caryatid holding up the roof.
B2 noun /səˈspɛnʃən/

suspension

Meaning
The act of temporarily stopping something; also refers to a system in vehicles that absorbs shock.
Example
The player received a three-game suspension for misconduct.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒəbəl/

Unchangeable

Meaning
not able to be changed or altered; fixed and permanent
Example
The laws of physics are unchangeable principles that govern the universe.
C2 adjective /ˌækrəˈmætɪk/

achromatic

Meaning
without color; free from color
Example
The designer chose an achromatic palette of black, white, and gray.
B1 noun /pɜːrl/

Pearl

Meaning
a hard, lustrous object produced within the soft tissue of a shelled mollusk; used in jewelry
Example
She wore a beautiful pearl necklace to the wedding.
C2 noun /ˌbrɪɡ.əˈdɪər/

brigadier

Meaning
A military officer rank, usually commanding a brigade.
Example
The brigadier inspected the troops before the parade.
C2 adjective /ˈdaʊ.di/

dowdy

Meaning
unfashionable, dull, or shabby in appearance
Example
She wore a dowdy dress to the party.
B1 noun /ˈbaɪbəl/

bible

Meaning
the Christian scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testaments; also used for any authoritative book
Example
She reads the Bible every morning.
B2 verb /bɪˈwɛər/

beware

Meaning
to be cautious or alert about a potential danger or problem
Example
Beware of the dog near the gate.
C1 noun ˈɛksəʊˌplænɪt

exoplanet

Meaning
A planet that orbits a star outside the solar system.
Example
Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets in the last decade.
C2 verb /ˈjuːləˌdʒaɪz/

eulogize

Meaning
To praise highly in speech or writing, especially in honor of someone who has died.
Example
They gathered to eulogize their beloved teacher.
B2 noun /ˈsteɪdiəm/

stadium

Meaning
a large structure with seating for sports, concerts, or other events
Example
Thousands of fans filled the stadium to watch the final match.
B2 noun /ɪnˈfɔːrsmənt/

enforcement

Meaning
the act of making sure that laws or rules are followed
Example
The police are responsible for law enforcement.
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.
C1 adjective /kənˈtɪn.ju.əl/

Continual

Meaning
happening repeatedly over a long period of time; constant and uninterrupted
Example
The continual noise from the construction site was very annoying.
B2 noun /kəmˈplɛksɪti/

complexity

Meaning
The state of being complex; intricacy.
Example
The complexity of the problem required a team of experts.
B2 adjective /ʌnˈfɪt/

Unfit

Meaning
not in good physical condition; unsuitable or inappropriate
Example
He was declared unfit for military service due to his poor health.
C1 verb /ˈskʌt.əl/

scuttle

Meaning
To run hurriedly with short, quick steps; or to deliberately sink a ship.
Example
The children scuttled back to their seats when the teacher entered.
A2 verb /kənˈtɪn.juːd/

continued

Meaning
Kept happening or carried on without stopping.
Example
She continued working despite the challenges.
A1 verb /kɔːst/

cost

Meaning
to have a price of; to require payment; to cause loss
Example
This book will cost twenty dollars.
B2 adjective /ɡroʊs/

gross

Meaning
extremely unpleasant or disgusting; total before deductions
Example
He thought the food looked gross, but it tasted fine.
C2 noun /tɪlθ/

tilth

Meaning
The physical condition of soil in relation to its suitability for planting crops.
Example
The farmer checked the soil's tilth before planting the seeds.
B1 noun /ˈmɪk.sər/

Mixer

Meaning
an electric kitchen appliance used for mixing, beating, and whipping ingredients
Example
The chef used a mixer to prepare the cake batter.
C2 adjective /vɜːrˈtɪdʒɪnəs/

vertiginous

Meaning
Causing dizziness due to great height or steepness.
Example
The tourists looked down from the vertiginous cliffs with awe.
C1 verb /mɔːl/

maul

Meaning
To wound or injure someone by scratching or tearing; to handle roughly.
Example
The bear mauled the camper in the forest.
C1 noun /ˈpælɪt/

pallet

Meaning
a flat wooden platform used for moving or storing goods; also a makeshift bed
Example
The boxes were stacked on a wooden pallet for easy transport.
C2 noun, verb /ˈpɑːrli/

parley

Meaning
a discussion between opposing sides, especially to negotiate terms
Example
The generals met to parley over the terms of surrender.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/

exploitative

Meaning
making use of a situation or people unfairly and unethically for one's own advantage
Example
The workers protested against the exploitative practices of the factory.
B2 verb /ɪnˈlaɪtən/

enlighten

Meaning
to give someone greater knowledge or understanding about a subject or situation
Example
The teacher tried to enlighten the students about ancient history.
B1 verb /briːð/

breathe

Meaning
To take air into the lungs and send it out again.
Example
It was hard to breathe in the smoky room.
B2 noun /kəˈlɛktər/

collector

Meaning
a person who collects things as a hobby or job
Example
He is a stamp collector with thousands of rare items.
C2 noun /ˈdɛkəˌliːtər/

decaliter

Meaning
A metric unit of capacity equal to ten liters.
Example
The container could hold up to one decaliter of water.
C2 noun /ˌfjuːzɪˈleɪd/

fusillade

Meaning
A series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession.
Example
The soldiers advanced under a fusillade of bullets.
B2 noun /ˈɔːrnəmənt/

ornament

Meaning
A decorative object that adds beauty to something.
Example
The Christmas tree was decorated with colorful ornaments.
B1 noun prəˈpoʊzəl

proposal

Meaning
A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration or discussion by others.
Example
The proposal was not sustained.
B2 noun /ˈmæm.əl/

mammal

Meaning
A warm-blooded animal with hair or fur, and females produce milk for their young.
Example
The whale is the largest mammal on Earth.
C2 noun /ˌbeɪˈliː/

bailee

Meaning
a person or party who temporarily receives possession of goods or property from another under a legal agreement
Example
The bailee must take reasonable care of the goods while they are in his possession.
C1 adjective /bɪˈfɪt.ɪŋ/

Befitting

Meaning
appropriate; suitable; proper for a particular situation or person
Example
He wore formal attire befitting the important occasion.
C1 noun /prəˈvaɪzoʊ/

proviso

Meaning
a condition or stipulation attached to an agreement
Example
He accepted the job offer with the proviso that he could work remotely twice a week.
C1 noun /ˈækəleɪd/

accolade

Meaning
An award, honor, or expression of praise.
Example
She received an accolade for her outstanding performance.
A2 noun /ɪkˈskjuːs/

Excuse

Meaning
a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense
Example
Being tired is not a valid excuse for not completing your homework.
B2 noun/verb /bʌk/

buck

Meaning
A male deer; also to resist or oppose strongly.
Example
The horse began to buck wildly as the rider tried to hold on.
A2 noun /ˈdæn.sər/

Dancer

Meaning
a person who performs dance, typically as a profession or art form
Example
The dancer performed gracefully on the stage.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈklɛmɛnt/

inclement

Meaning
unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy (usually weather)
Example
The match was canceled due to inclement weather.
B2 noun /kwəʊˈteɪʃən/

quotation

Meaning
a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated exactly; an estimated price given for goods or services
Example
The article opened with a famous quotation from Shakespeare.
C2 noun /əˈmʊr/

amour

Meaning
A secret or illicit love affair.
Example
The novel tells the story of a forbidden amour between two characters.
C2 adjective /ˌkæləˈrɪfɪk/

calorific

Meaning
Relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel.
Example
Chocolate is highly calorific, so it should be eaten in moderation.
B1 adjective /ˈtʃaɪl.dɪʃ/

Childish

Meaning
immature and silly; behaving in a way that is typical of a child but inappropriate for an adult
Example
His childish behavior during the meeting was quite embarrassing.
B2 verb /ʃrɪŋk/

shrink

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

breed

Meaning
to produce young animals; to reproduce; to keep animals for producing young
Example
They breed horses on their farm.
C1 adjective /bræʃ/

brash

Meaning
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overconfident way
Example
His brash comments offended many people at the meeting.
B2 adjective /suːˈpriːm/

Supreme

Meaning
highest in rank, authority, or quality; greatest; most important
Example
The Supreme Court made the final decision.
C2 adjective /sɒmˈnɪfərəs/

somniferous

Meaning
Tending to induce sleep; soporific.
Example
The professor's somniferous lecture put half the class to sleep.
C1 adjective /ˈtæk.taɪl/

tactile

Meaning
Connected with the sense of touch; perceptible by touch or giving a sensation when touched.
Example
The tactile experience of the fabric was soft and smooth.
C2 noun /ˈæpədʒiː/

apogee

Meaning
the highest or most distant point; the climax or peak of something
Example
The empire reached its apogee during the 18th century.
A2 noun /ˈpɑːswɜːd/

password

Meaning
a secret word or phrase used to gain access to something
Example
Make sure your password is strong and unique.