stimulus
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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 /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 adjective /ˈsæv.ɪdʒ/

Savage

Meaning
extremely cruel or violent; wild and fierce; uncivilized
Example
The savage attack shocked everyone.
B2 adjective/noun /staʊt/

stout

Meaning
Strong, thick, or heavily built; also a kind of dark beer
Example
The stout man lifted the heavy box with ease.
B2 noun, verb /slænt/

slant

Meaning
A particular point of view; to slope or lean in a particular direction.
Example
The article had a political slant.
B2 verb /ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ/

struggling

Meaning
Making forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction; having difficulty achieving something.
Example
Many regions are struggling with economic recovery.
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 noun /sərˈvaɪvər/

Survivor

Meaning
a person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died
Example
She is a cancer survivor who now helps other patients.
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 noun /ˌsoʊsiˈɑːlədʒi/

sociology

Meaning
the study of society, human relationships, and social institutions
Example
She is studying sociology at university.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌf.i/

Stuffy

Meaning
lacking fresh air; poorly ventilated; formal and conservative in attitude
Example
The room was stuffy and needed fresh air.
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 adjective /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/

specialized

Meaning
designed or developed for a particular purpose or function
Example
He has a specialized knowledge of ancient civilizations.
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 /ˈsuː.ɪ.saɪd/

Suicide

Meaning
the act of intentionally killing oneself
Example
Mental health professionals work to prevent suicide.
B2 adverb /ˈstrɪktli/

strictly

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

soil erosion

Meaning
The wearing away of topsoil by water, wind, or other natural forces.
Example
Soil erosion can lead to the loss of fertile land.
B2 verb, noun /ʃeɪv/

shave

Meaning
To remove hair from the body, typically using a razor; the act of removing hair
Example
He likes to shave every morning before work.
B2 adjective /ˈsiː.z ə n.əl/

Seasonal

Meaning
relating to or occurring in a particular season; changing according to the seasons
Example
Many businesses hire seasonal workers during the holidays.
B2 noun /spaɪt/

spite

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

stun

Meaning
to shock or surprise someone greatly; to knock someone unconscious or dazed
Example
The news of her sudden resignation stunned everyone.
B2 noun /ˈsɪblɪŋ/

sibling

Meaning
A brother or sister.
Example
She has three siblings, two brothers and one sister.
B2 verb /səˈsteɪn/

sustain

Meaning
To support, maintain, or keep something going over time.
Example
The team worked hard to sustain their success.
B2 noun /suː.pɪər.iˈɔːr.ə.ti/

Superiority

Meaning
the quality or state of being superior; higher rank or quality
Example
His superiority in mathematics was evident from his test scores.
B2 adverb /ˈsɪmɪlərli/

similarly

Meaning
in a similar way
Example
Similarly, we can achieve success with dedication and hard work.
B2 adverb ˌsɪməlˈteɪnɪəsli

simultaneously

Meaning
At the same time; occurring or existing at the same time.
Example
He worked on two projects simultaneously.
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 /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 /ˈʃeɪ.di/

Shady

Meaning
providing shade; dishonest; suspicious
Example
The shady businessman made a suspicious deal.
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 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 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 /ˈskætərd/

Scattered

Meaning
spread widely apart; dispersed; occurring here and there
Example
Scattered showers are expected throughout the day.
B2 verb /skriːtʃ/

screech

Meaning
to make a loud, high-pitched and unpleasant sound
Example
The car screeched to a halt.
B2 adjective /ˈspaɪ.rəl/

Spiral

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

specification

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

summon

Meaning
To order someone to come or to gather courage or strength.
Example
The king summoned his advisors to the court.
B2 adverb /ˈsɛp.ər.ət.li/

separately

Meaning
in a way that is apart or individually; not together
Example
They decided to travel separately to the conference.
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 noun /streɪn/

Strain

Meaning
pressure or tension; excessive demand on strength or resources
Example
Working long hours put a strain on his health.
B2 noun /ˈsikwəns/

Sequence

Meaning
a particular order in which related events, movements, or things follow each other; a set of related events, movements, or things that follow each other in a particular order
Example
The dance sequence was perfectly choreographed.
B2 noun/verb /ˈsoʊ.ɪŋ/

sewing

Meaning
The activity or skill of joining fabric using a needle and thread
Example
She enjoys sewing her own clothes on weekends.
B2 adjective /stɑːrk/

stark

Meaning
Severe, sharp, or clearly defined; plain and without any decoration.
Example
The stark contrast between poverty and wealth was evident in the city.
B2 verb səˈpres

suppress

Meaning
To forcibly put an end to; to restrain or subdue.
Example
Authorities must suppress criminal activities in campuses.
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 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 adjective /slaɪ/

sly

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

scandal

Meaning
an event or action that causes public outrage or damage to one's reputation
Example
The politician's affair became a public scandal.
B2 adjective /sɪˈlek.tɪv/

Selective

Meaning
relating to or involving careful selection; choosy about what to accept
Example
The university has a selective admission process for new students.
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 /ˈsoʊlər/

solar

Meaning
Relating to or determined by the sun
Example
The house is powered by solar energy.
B2 noun /ˈskɒlərʃɪp/

scholarship

Meaning
an award or grant to support a student's education
Example
She received a scholarship to study abroad.
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 /stɑːr fɪʃ/

Star fish

Meaning
a marine echinoderm with five or more radiating arms, typically found on the sea floor
Example
The starfish slowly moved across the ocean floor searching for food.
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 /ˈʃæb.i/

Shabby

Meaning
worn out; in poor condition; showing signs of wear; unfair or mean
Example
His shabby clothes showed that he had been traveling for days.
B2 verb /ˈsɒfən/

soften

Meaning
to make or become less hard, severe, or strong.
Example
Heat will soften the butter quickly.
B2 adjective /ˈskeptɪkəl/

Sceptical

Meaning
having doubts; not easily convinced; questioning the truth of something
Example
Many scientists remain sceptical about the new theory.
B2 verb, noun /stæb/

stab

Meaning
to pierce or wound with a pointed weapon or object
Example
He was stabbed in the back during the altercation.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌdid/

studied

Meaning
carefully considered, deliberate, or planned
Example
Her response was calm and studied, not impulsive.
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 /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 /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 verb /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪt/

speculate

Meaning
To form a theory or guess without firm evidence; to invest in stocks, property, etc. hoping for profit.
Example
Experts speculate that the company may expand into new markets.
B2 verb /ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/

specify

Meaning
to state or describe something clearly and exactly
Example
Please specify the time and place of the meeting.
B2 verb /straɪd/

stride

Meaning
to walk with long, decisive steps; to make progress
Example
She strode confidently across the stage.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊbər/

Sober

Meaning
not affected by alcohol; serious and thoughtful; moderate
Example
He remained sober throughout the celebration.
B2 noun ˈsəʊ.lər ˈen.ə.dʒi

solar energy

Meaning
Energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy.
Example
Solar energy is vital for reducing carbon emissions.
B2 noun /ˈsloʊɡən/

slogan

Meaning
a short and memorable phrase used to promote a cause or product
Example
The campaign used a powerful slogan to inspire people.
B2 noun /səˈplaɪə(r)/

supplier

Meaning
a person or company that provides goods or services
Example
The supplier delivered the products on time.
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/verb /ˈsɜːveɪ/

survey

Meaning
noun: an examination or inspection; verb: to examine or measure (an area or subject)
Example
They conducted a survey to understand customer preferences.
B2 adverb /səˈpəʊzɪdli/

supposedly

Meaning
used to show that something is believed or claimed to be true, though it may not be
Example
He is supposedly the best player on the team.
B2 adverb /ˈʃɑːrpli/

sharply

Meaning
suddenly and strongly; in a cutting or intense way
Example
Prices rose sharply after the announcement.
B2 adjective /səˈraʊndɪŋ/

surrounding

Meaning
located all around a particular place or thing; nearby
Example
The surrounding hills were covered in mist.
B2 verb /səbˈmɪt/

submit

Meaning
to present for consideration; to surrender; to yield
Example
Please submit your assignment by Friday.
B2 noun /stæns/

stance

Meaning
a person's attitude, opinion, or position on an issue
Example
The company took a strong stance on environmental protection.
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 adverb /ˈsel.fɪʃ.li/

Selfishly

Meaning
in a selfish manner; caring only about oneself
Example
He selfishly took all the cookies.
B2 adjective /ˈspeɪ.ʃəs/

Spacious

Meaning
having a lot of space; roomy and comfortable
Example
The house has a spacious living room with high ceilings.
B2 noun /strɪp/

Strip

Meaning
a long narrow piece of cloth, paper, plastic, or other material
Example
She tore a strip of paper from the notebook.
B2 noun /steɪn/

Stain

Meaning
a colored patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove; a blemish or damage to reputation
Example
There was a coffee stain on his white shirt.
B2 verb /skoʊld/

scold

Meaning
to criticize angrily; to rebuke
Example
The teacher scolded the students for being late.
B2 verb /swer/

swear

Meaning
to use offensive language; to promise solemnly; to take an oath
Example
I swear to tell the truth.
B2 noun /sfɪər/

sphere

Meaning
a round, three-dimensional shape that is perfectly symmetrical around its center; an area of activity or knowledge
Example
The Earth is almost a perfect sphere.
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.
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 /spaʊs/

spouse

Meaning
a person's husband or wife
Example
Each employee may include their spouse in the health insurance plan.
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 /ˈstɑːrtər/

starter

Meaning
a person or thing that starts something; the first course of a meal
Example
The starter of the meal was a fresh salad.
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 /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 adjective /ˈstɑːrtəld/

startled

Meaning
suddenly shocked or surprised by something unexpected
Example
She was startled by the loud noise outside.
B2 adjective /ʃɪər/

Sheer

Meaning
complete; absolute; transparent; very steep
Example
It was sheer luck that we found the place.
B2 noun /ˌsɪm.ɪˈlær.ə.ti/

Similarity

Meaning
the quality or state of being similar; resemblance
Example
There is a striking similarity between the two paintings.
B2 noun /ˌsɪmjuˈleɪʃən/

simulation

Meaning
the imitation of a situation or process
Example
The simulation helped the students understand the complex theory.
B2 verb /swiːp/

sweep

Meaning
to clean by brushing; to move quickly and smoothly
Example
She sweeps the floor every morning.
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 ˈskruːtɪni

scrutiny

Meaning
Critical observation or examination
Example
The new law is under scrutiny by the legislative body.
B2 adjective /senˈseɪʃənəl/

Sensational

Meaning
causing great excitement or shock; extremely impressive
Example
The sensational performance left the audience speechless.
B2 noun /ˈsɛm.ɪ.nɑːr/

seminar

Meaning
A meeting for discussion or training, especially in an academic setting.
Example
The professor invited all students to attend the seminar on climate change.
B2 noun /stɑːˈveɪ.ʃən/

Starvation

Meaning
suffering or death caused by lack of food; extreme hunger
Example
Many people died of starvation during the famine.
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 /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 noun /ˈsɛntəmənt/

Sentiment

Meaning
a feeling or opinion, especially one based on emotion; tender feelings of affection
Example
Public sentiment was strongly against the new policy.
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 /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 /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 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 /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 /ˌsuːpərɪnˈtɛndənt/

superintendent

Meaning
a person who oversees, manages, or directs an organization, building, or project
Example
The superintendent visited the classrooms to check on progress.