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 /slaɪ/

sly

Meaning

Clever in a deceitful or cunning way.

Example

She gave him a sly smile.

B2 adjective /ˈspiːtʃləs/

speechless

Meaning

Unable to speak because of shock, surprise, or strong emotion.

Example

She was speechless when she received the award.

B2 noun /ˈswiː.pər/

Sweeper

Meaning

a person whose job is to clean floors and streets by sweeping

Example

The sweeper cleaned the school corridor every morning.

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 noun ˈʃɔːtkʌmɪŋz

shortcomings

Meaning

A fault or failure to meet a certain standard; deficiencies.

Example

Institutional shortcomings affect student behavior negatively.

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 verb /skrʌb/

scrub

Meaning

To rub hard so as to clean, typically with a brush and water.

Example

Excessive scrubbing of the eyes is harmful.

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 /ˈskɛptɪkəl/

skeptical

Meaning

not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations

Example

She was skeptical about the new plan.

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.

B2 noun /sɪˈver.ə.ti/

Severity

Meaning

the quality of being extremely serious or harsh; intensity of something bad

Example

The severity of the storm caused widespread damage across the city.

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 /soʊl/

Sole

Meaning

the bottom part of the foot; the bottom part of a shoe

Example

I have a blister on the sole of my foot.

B2 noun /ˈsɛsəmi sidz/

Sesame Seeds

Meaning

small edible seeds from the sesame plant used in cooking and baking

Example

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the bread before baking.

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 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 /ˈsæksəfoʊn/

Saxophone

Meaning

a wind musical instrument with a curved metal body and a single reed mouthpiece

Example

The jazz musician played a beautiful solo on his saxophone.

B2 adjective /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/

specialized

Meaning

designed or developed for a particular purpose or function

Example

He has a specialized knowledge of ancient civilizations.

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 noun /ˈsɪɡ.nəlz/

signals

Meaning

A gesture, action, or sound conveying information or instructions.

Example

Signals from deep space were detected last week.

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 adjective /ˈstʌdid/

studied

Meaning

carefully considered, deliberate, or planned

Example

Her response was calm and studied, not impulsive.

B2 noun /səˈplaɪə(r)/

supplier

Meaning

a person or company that provides goods or services

Example

The supplier delivered the products on time.

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 adjective /ˈsɪtʃueɪtɪd/

situated

Meaning

located in a particular place or position

Example

The hotel is situated near the beach.

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 /ˈʃeɪm.fəl/

Shameful

Meaning

causing shame; disgraceful; embarrassing

Example

His shameful behavior embarrassed the entire family.

B2 noun /ˈsɜːvɪŋ/

serving

Meaning

a portion of food for one person; the act of giving food or drink to someone

Example

He ate a large serving of rice and curry.

B2 verb /ˈsteɪ.bə.laɪz/

stabilize

Meaning

to make something steady, secure, or unlikely to change suddenly

Example

The government took measures to stabilize the economy.

B2 adjective /ˈʃɔːrt ˌtempərd/

Short-tempered

Meaning

quick to lose one's temper; easily angered

Example

She became short-tempered when the traffic made her late for the meeting.

B2 adjective /ˈsɛksi/

sexy

Meaning

sexually attractive or exciting

Example

She wore a sexy red dress to the party.

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 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.

B2 adjective ˈsiːm.ləs

seamless

Meaning

A process or service that works without any interruption.

Example

A seamless checkout process improves user satisfaction.

B2 verb /skwiːz/

squeeze

Meaning

to press something firmly, especially from all sides in order to extract or compress it

Example

She squeezed the toothpaste to get the last bit.

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 /ˈsɪblɪŋ/

sibling

Meaning

A brother or sister.

Example

She has three siblings, two brothers and one sister.

B2 adjective /senˈseɪʃənəl/

Sensational

Meaning

causing great excitement or shock; extremely impressive

Example

The sensational performance left the audience speechless.

B2 noun /stəˈtɪstɪks/

statistics

Meaning

the practice or science of collecting and analyzing numerical data

Example

The statistics showed an increase in the number of users last year.

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 verb /straɪd/

stride

Meaning

to walk with long, decisive steps; to make progress

Example

She strode confidently across the stage.

B2 noun, adjective /ˈsoʊʃəlɪst/

socialist

Meaning

a person who advocates for socialism; relating to socialism

Example

He is a well-known socialist writer.

B2 verb /siːz/

seize

Meaning

To take hold of suddenly and forcibly.

Example

The police managed to seize the stolen goods.

B2 noun /ˈsliːpər/

sleeper

Meaning

a person or thing that sleeps; something that unexpectedly succeeds

Example

The movie turned out to be a real sleeper hit.

B2 adjective /ˈʃɒkɪŋ/

shocking

Meaning

causing surprise or disbelief; startling

Example

The news of the accident was shocking to everyone.

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 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, verb /striːk/

streak

Meaning

a long, thin line or mark; to move very quickly in a specified direction

Example

Lightning streaked across the night sky.

B2 verb /spɪl/

spill

Meaning

to cause liquid to flow or fall out of a container by accident

Example

Be careful not to spill your coffee.

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 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 noun /spaɪt/

spite

Meaning

a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone

Example

She refused the gift out of spite.

B2 adjective ˈsɑːləm

solemn

Meaning

Formal and dignified; characterized by deep sincerity.

Example

The day begins with a solemn ceremony at the memorial.

B2 noun /ˈsʌm.ɪt/

summit

Meaning

A high-level meeting between leaders, especially of governments; a conference.

Example

The summit addressed pressing global issues.

B2 noun /ˈspɒt.laɪt/

spotlight

Meaning

a strong beam of light directed onto a particular area; figuratively, public attention

Example

The singer stood proudly in the spotlight.

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.

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 /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 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.

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 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 noun /ˈskɔːr.pi.ən/

Scorpion

Meaning

a small creature with eight legs, two claws, and a curved tail with a poisonous sting

Example

The scorpion hid under the rock during the day.

B2 noun sliːp ˌdɛprɪˈveɪʃən

sleep deprivation

Meaning

The condition of not having enough sleep; lack of adequate sleep.

Example

Sleep deprivation can severely impact mental health.

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 verb /suː/

sue

Meaning

to bring a lawsuit against someone in a court of law

Example

She decided to sue the company for damages.

B2 adjective /ˈstʌnɪŋ/

stunning

Meaning

extremely impressive or attractive

Example

The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely stunning.

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 /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.

B2 adjective /ˈsɪnɪstər/

sinister

Meaning

Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.

Example

The abandoned house had a sinister atmosphere.

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 /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/

symbolic

Meaning

serving as a symbol or representing something else

Example

The dove is symbolic of peace and freedom.

B2 adverb /ˈsɪmɪlərli/

similarly

Meaning

in a similar way

Example

Similarly, we can achieve success with dedication and hard work.

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 adjective /ˌsuː.pəˈnætʃ.ər.əl/

Supernatural

Meaning

relating to things that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws; beyond the normal or physical world

Example

The old house was said to have supernatural powers.

B2 noun speɪs ɪksplɔːˈreɪʃən

space exploration

Meaning

The investigation of outer space by means of manned and unmanned spacecraft.

Example

Space exploration has expanded our knowledge of the universe.

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.

B2 noun /ˈspaɪs bɒks/

Spice box

Meaning

a container used to store various spices and seasonings

Example

She opened the spice box to find cumin for her curry.

B2 adjective /ˈstʌb.ərn/

Stubborn

Meaning

refusing to change opinion or course of action; persistent; obstinate

Example

The stubborn child refused to eat his vegetables.

B2 adjective /ˈsʌt.əl/

subtle

Meaning

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe; making use of clever and indirect methods.

Example

The artist's use of color was subtle yet powerful.

B2 noun ˈskeə.sɪ.ti

scarcity

Meaning

The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.

Example

Water scarcity threatens agriculture.

B2 noun /ˈsiːkər/

seeker

Meaning

a person who is looking for something, especially knowledge or truth

Example

The seeker traveled far to find the answers to his questions.

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 adjective /ˌsʌp.lɪˈmen.tər.i/

Supplementary

Meaning

completing or making an addition to something; additional; extra

Example

Students need to buy supplementary books for the course.

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 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.

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 /slɒt/

slot

Meaning

a narrow opening into which something fits or is placed

Example

Insert the card into the slot to open the door.

B2 adverb /ˈsɛkʃuəli/

sexually

Meaning

in a way that relates to or involves sexual activity or feelings

Example

The film was considered too sexually explicit for young audiences.

B2 adjective /ˈslɒp.i/

Sloppy

Meaning

careless; messy; done without care or attention to detail

Example

His sloppy handwriting was difficult to read.

B2 noun səbˈstænʃəl ˈɪmpækt

substantial impact

Meaning

A significant, considerable, and meaningful effect or influence.

Example

Substantial impact is possible even with a few hours of volunteering.

B2 noun /ˈʃɛərˌhoʊldər/

shareholder

Meaning

an individual or organization that owns shares in a company

Example

Each shareholder has the right to vote at the annual meeting.

B2 adjective /ˈstɜːrdi/

sturdy

Meaning

strongly and solidly built; not easily weakened

Example

The carpenter made a sturdy wooden table.

B2 verb /stɪŋ/

sting

Meaning

to pierce with a sharp point; to cause sharp pain

Example

The bee stung him on his arm while he was gardening.

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 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 verb /suːð/

soothe

Meaning

to calm or comfort; to relieve pain or distress

Example

The mother soothed her crying baby with a gentle lullaby.

B2 adjective sɪnˈθet̬.ɪk

synthetic

Meaning

Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product; artificial.

Example

Synthetic chemicals are used in processed foods.

B2 noun ˈsʌbstɪˌtut

substitute

Meaning

A person or thing acting or serving in place of another.

Example

Money cannot be a substitute for genuine happiness.

B2 adjective, verb (past) /səˈspɛndɪd/

suspended

Meaning

Temporarily not allowed, stopped, or hanging.

Example

He was suspended from school for a week.

B2 verb səˈpres

suppress

Meaning

To forcibly put an end to; to restrain or subdue.

Example

Authorities must suppress criminal activities in campuses.

B2 noun /ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ/

Sabotage

Meaning

deliberate destruction of equipment or disruption of activities

Example

The factory was shut down due to an act of sabotage.

B2 noun /slʌm/

Slum

Meaning

a poor urban area with substandard housing and squalid conditions

Example

The government is working to improve conditions in the slum.

B2 verb /smæʃ/

smash

Meaning

to break something into pieces violently

Example

She smashed the glass in frustration.

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 noun /ˈsɪnˌdroʊm/

syndrome

Meaning

a group of symptoms that occur together and characterize a condition or disease

Example

Down syndrome affects a person's physical and mental development.

B2 adverb /ˈsɒftli/

softly

Meaning

in a gentle or quiet way.

Example

She spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.

B2 noun /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

suffering

Meaning

the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship

Example

They tried to relieve his suffering with medicine.

B2 noun /sɜːˈveɪ.ləns/

surveillance

Meaning

Close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal; continuous watching of a place, person, or situation.

Example

Government agencies conduct surveillance on cyber threats.

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 noun /stəˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Stability

Meaning

the state of being stable; firmness; steadiness

Example

Political stability is essential for economic growth.

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.

B2 verb /skoʊld/

scold

Meaning

to criticize angrily; to rebuke

Example

The teacher scolded the students for being late.

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 /ˈskɛlɪtən/

skeleton

Meaning

The internal framework of bones that supports the body of a human or animal.

Example

The teacher showed the students a human skeleton in the biology class.

B2 noun /spekˈteɪtər/

Spectator

Meaning

a person who watches at a show, game, or other event; an observer

Example

The stadium was filled with excited spectators.

B2 noun/verb /stʌnt/

stunt

Meaning

a daring or unusual action performed for entertainment or publicity; to hinder growth or development

Example

The actor performed a dangerous stunt in the movie.

B2 noun /ˈseɡ.mənt/

Segment

Meaning

each of the parts into which something is divided; a section or portion

Example

The orange was divided into eight segments.

B2 noun /ˈsɛnətər/

senator

Meaning

a member of a senate, especially in a legislative body

Example

The senator spoke passionately about environmental policies.

B2 adverb /ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli/

subsequently

Meaning

at a later time; afterward

Example

He failed his exam and subsequently had to retake it.

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.