stimuli
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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.
C2 adjective /spraɪ/

spry

Meaning
active and lively, especially in old age
Example
The spry grandmother surprised everyone with her quick dance steps.
B1 noun /ˈsɜr.fɪs/

Surface

Meaning
the outside part or uppermost layer of something
Example
The submarine emerged to the surface of the ocean.
B1 noun /ˈseɪ.ɪŋ/

Saying

Meaning
a well-known phrase that expresses something true about life; a proverb
Example
There's an old saying that practice makes perfect.
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 adjective /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/

systematic

Meaning
Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical.
Example
The company took a systematic approach to solving the issue.
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.
C2 noun /ˈsɪʒ.ən/

scission

Meaning
the act of cutting or dividing something
Example
The political party suffered a scission over ideological disputes.
C1 noun /ˈstoʊəˌweɪ/

stowaway

Meaning
A person who hides on a ship, plane, or other vehicle in order to travel secretly without paying.
Example
The crew discovered a stowaway hiding in the cargo hold.
B1 verb, adjective /spɛnt/

spent

Meaning
Past tense and past participle of 'spend'; also used as an adjective meaning exhausted or used up.
Example
She spent all her energy preparing for the exam.
C1 verb /ˈsaɪdˌstɛp/

sidestep

Meaning
To avoid something by stepping aside; to evade a problem or question indirectly.
Example
The politician tried to sidestep the difficult question.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌpl/

supple

Meaning
Easily bending or moving without breaking; flexible and adaptable.
Example
The gymnast’s body was remarkably supple.
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 verb /straɪv/

strive

Meaning
To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
Example
She strives to be the best student in her class.
A2 noun /saɪt/

sight

Meaning
the ability to see or something that is seen
Example
The sight of the sunset took her breath away.
B2 verb /ˈsuːpərvaɪz/

supervise

Meaning
to watch and direct a person or activity to ensure things are done correctly
Example
The teacher supervises students during the exam.
C2 noun /ˈsɪŋkrəˌnɪzəm/

synchronism

Meaning
The simultaneous occurrence of events or actions.
Example
The synchronism of the dancers' movements amazed the audience.
C1 verb /snʌb/

snub

Meaning
to insult or ignore someone by treating them rudely
Example
He felt hurt when his invitation was snubbed.
C1 adjective ˈsɛd(ə)ntəri

sedentary

Meaning
Characterized by much sitting and little physical activity.
Example
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to numerous health problems.
A2 adjective /ˈspænɪʃ/

spanish

Meaning
relating to Spain or the Spanish language
Example
She is fluent in Spanish and French.
A1 noun /ˈsɛvən/

seven

Meaning
the number following six and preceding eight
Example
She has seven apples in her basket.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːzənəbəl/

Seasonable

Meaning
occurring at the right time; appropriate for the season; timely
Example
The seasonable rain helped the farmers with their crops.
B1 verb /ˈsætɪsfaɪ/

satisfy

Meaning
to fulfill the desires, expectations, or needs of someone; to make content
Example
The delicious meal satisfied our hunger completely.
C2 verb /səˈfjuːz/

suffuse

Meaning
to gradually spread through or over something
Example
A warm glow suffused her face as she smiled.
B2 noun /ˈsɪblɪŋ/

sibling

Meaning
A brother or sister.
Example
She has three siblings, two brothers and one sister.
C2 verb /sʌbˈtɛnd/

subtend

Meaning
To extend across or form an angle at a particular point, often used in geometry.
Example
The arc subtends a 60-degree angle at the center of the circle.
A2 noun /ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/

Situation

Meaning
a set of circumstances in which one finds oneself; a state of affairs
Example
We need to assess the current situation before making any decisions.
C1 verb /sərˈmaɪz/

surmise

Meaning
to suppose something is true without having evidence
Example
She surmised that he was not coming to the meeting.
C1 noun /ˈsteɪl.meɪt/

stalemate

Meaning
A situation in which no progress can be made or no party can win.
Example
Negotiations ended in a stalemate.
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.
C1 noun, verb /ˈskʌf.əl/

scuffle

Meaning
a short, confused fight or struggle; to engage in such a fight
Example
Two players scuffled on the field after the foul.
B2 noun ˈʃɔːtkʌmɪŋz

shortcomings

Meaning
A fault or failure to meet a certain standard; deficiencies.
Example
Institutional shortcomings affect student behavior negatively.
C1 noun ˈsɒl.vən.si

solvency

Meaning
The possession of assets in excess of liabilities; ability to pay debts.
Example
The company's solvency improved after restructuring.
C1 noun /stæɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

stagnation

Meaning
A state of inactivity or lack of growth, especially in an economy.
Example
High unemployment led to economic stagnation.
C1 adjective /ˈseɪlaɪn/

Saline

Meaning
containing salt; salty; relating to salt water
Example
The saline solution is used for medical treatments.
B1 noun /skriːn/

Screen

Meaning
a flat surface on which pictures or words are shown; a movable partition used to divide a room
Example
The movie was displayed on a large screen in the theater.
B2 adjective /ˈslʌɡ.ɪʃ/

Sluggish

Meaning
slow-moving; lacking energy or alertness; inactive
Example
The old computer became sluggish after running for hours.
B1 verb /siːk/

seek

Meaning
to try to find or obtain something; to attempt or desire to achieve
Example
He decided to seek advice from his mentor.
C1 adjective ˌsʌbˈlɪm.ɪ.nəl

subliminal

Meaning
Existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; perceived by or affecting someone's mind without their being aware of it.
Example
Advertisements often have subliminal messages.
C2 verb /ˈsʌplɪˌkeɪt/

supplicate

Meaning
To ask for something earnestly or humbly, often in a religious context.
Example
The villagers supplicated the gods for rain during the drought.
C1 noun /ˌsæbəˈtɜːr/

saboteur

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

Shallow

Meaning
not deep; superficial; lacking depth of knowledge
Example
The shallow water is perfect for children to play.
B2 adjective, noun /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

singular

Meaning
Remarkable, extraordinary; or grammatical form referring to one person or thing.
Example
She has a singular talent for painting.
B1 noun /seɪk/

Sake

Meaning
purpose or reason for doing something; benefit or interest
Example
She worked overtime for the sake of her family's future.
B2 verb /ˈstreɪtən/

straighten

Meaning
to make something straight or tidy; to correct or organize
Example
She straightened her hair before the meeting.
A2 noun /ˈsteɪʃən/

station

Meaning
a place where a particular service is provided, especially for transportation
Example
We arrived at the station just in time for the train.
C1 adjective /ˈspɪndli/

spindly

Meaning
Long, thin, and weak-looking
Example
The spindly tree bent under the weight of the snow.
C1 verb, noun /spraʊt/

sprout

Meaning
to begin to grow; to produce new leaves or shoots
Example
The seeds began to sprout after a few days of rain.
C1 noun /ˈsʌtlti/

subtlety

Meaning
The quality or state of being subtle.
Example
She understood the subtlety of the situation.
C1 adjective /ˈsɒnɪk/

sonic

Meaning
Relating to or involving sound waves or speed of sound.
Example
The jet created a loud boom when it broke the sonic barrier.
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 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.
C1 verb /ˈstaɪfl/

stifle

Meaning
to prevent or restrain an action, idea, or emotion; to suffocate
Example
She tried to stifle a laugh during the serious meeting.
C2 noun /ˌsɒ̃ˈfrwɑː/

sang-froid

Meaning
Composure or coolness, especially in difficult situations.
Example
The leader handled the crisis with remarkable sang-froid.
C2 noun /staɪn/

stein

Meaning
A large beer mug, typically made of glass or stoneware.
Example
He raised his stein to toast his friends.
C2 verb /ˈstɪp.əl/

stipple

Meaning
to cover a surface with numerous small dots or specks, often in drawing or painting
Example
The artist stippled the canvas to create a textured effect.
B1 verb /spɔɪl/

spoil

Meaning
to damage or ruin something
Example
The rain spoiled the outdoor event.
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.
C1 verb /ˈsaɪdˌtræk/

sidetrack

Meaning
To distract from the main subject or activity.
Example
She was sidetracked by an unexpected phone call.
A1 adjective /seɪm/

same

Meaning
identical; not different or changed
Example
We wore the same dress at the party.
C1 noun /ˈstaɪləs/

stylus

Meaning
a small tool used for writing, drawing, or touching screens
Example
She used a stylus to draw on her tablet.
B2 noun/verb /ˈsæd.əl/

saddle

Meaning
A seat fastened on the back of a horse for riding; to burden someone with a responsibility.
Example
He saddled the horse before going for a ride.
C1 verb /swɜːrv/

swerve

Meaning
to change direction suddenly, especially to avoid hitting something
Example
The car swerved to avoid the dog.
B1 adjective /spəˈsɪfɪk/

specific

Meaning
Clearly defined or identified; particular; exact.
Example
Make a specific plan to beat procrastination.
B1 noun ˈstæn.dədz

standards

Meaning
A level of quality or attainment; a required or agreed level of quality or attainment.
Example
High standards inspire competitors.
B2 adjective /ˈsɜːdʒɪkəl/

surgical

Meaning
relating to or involving surgery
Example
She underwent surgical treatment to repair the damage.
A1 noun /sɔːŋ/

song

Meaning
a short piece of music with words that are sung
Example
She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
C1 noun/verb /smʌdʒ/

smudge

Meaning
a dirty mark or smear; to make something dirty or unclear by rubbing or touching
Example
She accidentally smudged her lipstick on the napkin.
B2 adjective /ˈsɛksi/

sexy

Meaning
sexually attractive or exciting
Example
She wore a sexy red dress to the party.
B2 noun /səˈnɛərioʊ/

scenario

Meaning
a possible situation or sequence of events
Example
The company prepared for the worst-case scenario.
C2 adjective /sɪˈnæp.tɪk/

synaptic

Meaning
Related to the signal transmission process between nerve cells.
Example
Learning strengthens synaptic connections in the brain.
C1 noun /ˈʃær.ən fruːt/

Sharon fruit

Meaning
a sweet orange persimmon fruit that can be eaten when firm
Example
The Sharon fruit is sweet and can be eaten like an apple.
C1 noun/verb /skɜːrdʒ/

scourge

Meaning
A source of great pain or punishment; to whip or inflict suffering on someone.
Example
Disease and poverty remain a scourge in many regions.
B2 noun/verb /swɔːrm/

swarm

Meaning
A large group of insects or people moving together.
Example
A swarm of bees surrounded the tree.
B2 verb /ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/

specify

Meaning
to state or describe something clearly and exactly
Example
Please specify the time and place of the meeting.
A2 noun /sprɪŋ/

spring

Meaning
the season between winter and summer when plants begin to grow
Example
Flowers bloom in the spring.
C1 noun /ˈskæf.əld/

Scaffold

Meaning
a temporary structure used by workers to stand on when building or repairing something high; a platform for execution
Example
The workers erected a scaffold to paint the building's exterior.
A2 noun /spɔːt/

sport

Meaning
an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment
Example
Football is a popular sport around the world.
B1 adverb /səkˈsɛsfəli/

successfully

Meaning
in a way that achieves a desired result
Example
She passed the exam successfully after weeks of studying.
B1 noun /ˈskwɪr.əl/

Squirrel

Meaning
a small agile tree-dwelling rodent with a long bushy tail
Example
The squirrel gathered nuts for winter.
C1 verb /sɪft/

sift

Meaning
to separate or sort through carefully, often using a sieve or by examining closely
Example
She sifted the flour before adding it to the cake mixture.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛlf əbˈzɔːrbd/

self-absorbed

Meaning
Excessively preoccupied with oneself and one’s own thoughts, feelings, or interests.
Example
He was too self-absorbed to notice his friend's distress.
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 /sæk/

sack

Meaning
to dismiss from a job; to put something in a sack
Example
The company sacked him for poor performance.
B2 noun /sɪlk/

silk

Meaning
a fine, smooth fabric made from the threads produced by silkworms
Example
The dress was made of pure silk.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪr.i.əl/

Serial

Meaning
happening in a series; consecutive; arranged in order
Example
The serial killer was finally caught after years of investigation.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːprəˈmʌndeɪn/

supramundane

Meaning
beyond the physical or ordinary world; transcendent
Example
The monk spoke of supramundane peace beyond material life.
C1 noun /ˌsʌb.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/

substitution

Meaning
the action of replacing someone or something with another
Example
The substitution of the old system with the new one was difficult.
A1 verb /spend/

spend

Meaning
to use money to buy something; to pass time
Example
I spend too much money on books.
C2 noun /spʌndʒ ɡɔːrd/

Sponse gourd

Meaning
a fibrous gourd that becomes sponge-like when dried, used for cleaning and in cooking when young
Example
The sponge gourd can be eaten when young or dried to make natural scrubbers.
A2 verb /ʃeɪk/

shake

Meaning
to move quickly back and forth; to tremble
Example
The earthquake made the building shake.
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.
B1 noun /swet/

Sweat

Meaning
moisture exuded through the pores of the skin, typically as a reaction to heat, physical exertion, fever, or fear
Example
After running for an hour, he was covered in sweat.
B2 adjective /skeərs/

Scarce

Meaning
rare; not easily found; existing in small quantities
Example
Fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce in desert regions.
B2 adjective /ˈsɒl.ɪ.ter.i/

Solitary

Meaning
alone; without companions; single; isolated
Example
He lived a solitary life in the mountains.
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 /ˈskænti/

Scanty

Meaning
small in size or amount; insufficient; barely adequate
Example
The refugee camp had scanty food supplies.
C2 noun /sʌnd raɪs/

Sunned rice

Meaning
Rice that has been dried in the sun; parched rice
Example
The farmers spread the sunned rice on mats to dry completely.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌl.ki/

Sulky

Meaning
bad-tempered and sullen; moody
Example
The child became sulky when he couldn't get his favorite toy.
C1 noun səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi

sustainable technology

Meaning
Technology designed to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.
Example
Sustainable technology ensures a cleaner future.
C1 noun /ˌsɑːrdʒənt ˈmeɪdʒər/

sergeant-major

Meaning
A senior non-commissioned officer in the army responsible for discipline and administration within a unit.
Example
The sergeant-major inspected the troops before the parade.
C2 verb /sɛkˈstuːpəl/

sextuple

Meaning
to make or become six times as great or as many
Example
Within two quarters, the campaign sextupled their daily sign-ups.
B2 noun /ˈsmɑːrt.nəs/

Smartness

Meaning
intelligence; cleverness; neat and fashionable appearance
Example
Her smartness in solving problems impressed everyone.
C1 adverb /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋli/

searchingly

Meaning
In a way that seems to look for hidden meanings or truth.
Example
She looked at him searchingly, hoping for an honest answer.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌmp.tʃu.əs/

sumptuous

Meaning
Splendid and expensive-looking; luxurious.
Example
The guests were treated to a sumptuous banquet.
C1 adjective /ˈsek.j ə.l ər/

Secular

Meaning
not connected with religious or spiritual matters; worldly
Example
The country maintains a secular government that separates religion from politics.
C2 noun /ˌsuː.pɚˈfluː.ə.t̬i/

superfluity

Meaning
An excessive amount of something; more than what is needed.
Example
The room was filled with a superfluity of decorations.
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 verb /ˈsɪmbəlaɪz/

symbolize

Meaning
to represent or stand for something else
Example
The dove symbolizes peace across cultures.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːrmən/

sermon

Meaning
A religious discourse delivered by a preacher, often offering moral instruction or spiritual guidance.
Example
The pastor gave a moving sermon about compassion and forgiveness.
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 /ˌspɛsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

specification

Meaning
a detailed description or assessment of something
Example
The product specification includes all the necessary details.
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.
C2 noun /sfɪˈrɒmɪtər/

spherometer

Meaning
An instrument used for measuring the curvature of spherical surfaces.
Example
The scientist used a spherometer to measure the lens curvature.
C2 noun /spliːn/

spleen

Meaning
an organ in the body that produces lymphocytes and filters blood; also refers to bad temper or spite
Example
He vented his spleen on his coworkers after the meeting.
C2 adjective ˌsʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs

surreptitious

Meaning
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; done stealthily.
Example
She took a surreptitious glance at his notes.
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.
C1 adjective /səˈnɔːrəs/

sonorous

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

search

Meaning
to look carefully for someone or something; to examine thoroughly
Example
The police searched the house for evidence.
C1 noun /ˈsɒlstɪs/

solstice

Meaning
the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator (summer and winter solstice)
Example
People celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and rituals.
C1 noun /ˈskruːpəl/

scruple

Meaning
A moral or ethical consideration that restrains actions.
Example
He had no scruples about lying to get ahead.