strait
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C1 noun /streɪt/

strait

Meaning
A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water.
Example
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
A1 verb /ˈhæpən/

happen

Meaning
to occur or take place; to come about by chance
Example
What happened at the meeting yesterday?
B1 adjective /ˈblʌdi/

bloody

Meaning
covered in, involving, or containing blood; also used informally for emphasis in British English.
Example
The soldier returned from battle with a bloody arm.
C1 noun /ˈhæv.ək/

Havoc

Meaning
widespread destruction; great confusion or disorder; chaos
Example
The hurricane wreaked havoc on the coastal towns, destroying homes and businesses.
B1 verb /dɪˈfaɪn/

define

Meaning
to explain the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept clearly
Example
The teacher asked the student to define the word 'democracy'.
B2 verb /ɪmˈprɪzən/

imprison

Meaning
to put someone in prison; to confine or restrict someone's freedom
Example
The judge imprisoned the criminal for five years.
C2 verb /ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːn/

importune

Meaning
To ask someone persistently or pressingly for something
Example
The child importuned his mother for a new toy.
C1 verb /ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt/

consecrate

Meaning
to make something sacred, usually through a religious ceremony
Example
The church was consecrated by the bishop.
C1 adjective /ɪˌlɪzəˈbiːθən/

elizabethan

Meaning
Relating to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558–1603), especially the style of that period.
Example
Shakespeare wrote many of his plays during the Elizabethan era.
C2 verb /ˈmɪlɪˌteɪt/

militate

Meaning
to have a strong effect against something; to work as a powerful factor in preventing or influencing an outcome
Example
His lack of experience will militate against his promotion.
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 /heɪ/

hay

Meaning
grass that has been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal feed
Example
The cows were eating hay in the barn.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈsɪvəlaɪzd/

Uncivilized

Meaning
not developed in terms of civilization; lacking social organization and culture; barbarous
Example
The explorers encountered an uncivilized tribe deep in the Amazon rainforest.
C1 noun /ˈkɒnɪfər/

conifer

Meaning
a type of tree that bears cones and evergreen needle-like leaves, such as pine or fir
Example
The forest is dominated by conifers like pine and spruce.
B1 noun /ˈmæɡnət/

magnet

Meaning
An object that produces a magnetic field and attracts metals like iron.
Example
The magnet held the paper to the fridge door.
C2 adjective /ˈluːsənt/

lucent

Meaning
shining or glowing with light
Example
The lucent stars brightened the night sky.
C1 adjective /ˈpʌn.dʒənt/

Pungent

Meaning
sharp; strong-smelling; acrid;
Example
The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.
A1 noun /jɪə/

year

Meaning
a period of 365 or 366 days, divided into 12 months
Example
This year, we are planning a trip to the mountains.
B2 noun /ˈaɪ.bɔːl/

Eyeball

Meaning
the round part of the eye within the eyelids and socket
Example
The doctor examined his eyeball carefully.
C1 verb /əˈpɔːl/

appall

Meaning
To shock or horrify someone with something unpleasant or bad.
Example
The cruelty of the crime appalled the entire community.
A1 verb /stænd/

stand

Meaning
to be in an upright position; to tolerate or endure
Example
Please stand up when the teacher enters.
C1 noun /əˈsæsɪn/

Assassin

Meaning
a person who murders an important person for political or religious reasons
Example
The president was protected from potential assassins by security guards.
C2 noun /ˈvɛləm/

vellum

Meaning
a fine parchment made originally from the skin of a calf, used for writing or printing
Example
The ancient manuscript was written on vellum.
C2 adjective /mɔːrˈdeɪʃəs/

mordacious

Meaning
Sharp or biting in style, tone, or remark; sarcastic.
Example
The critic’s mordacious review offended the author.
B2 noun /ˈpaɪ.rə.si/

Piracy

Meaning
the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea; the unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted material
Example
Software piracy costs companies billions of dollars annually.
C1 adjective /prɪˈzʌmp.tʃu.əs/

presumptuous

Meaning
Overconfident, rude, or taking liberties without permission.
Example
It was presumptuous of him to make that decision without consulting others.
B2 adverb /ˈpɑrʃəli/

Partially

Meaning
to some extent; not completely; incompletely
Example
The building was only partially destroyed in the fire.
A2 noun /ˈprəʊɡræm/

program

Meaning
a planned series of events or activities
Example
The program starts at 9 AM sharp.
C2 noun /ræpˈskæliən/

rapscallion

Meaning
A mischievous or cheeky person; a rascal.
Example
The little rapscallion hid his brother’s shoes as a prank.
B2 noun pɪər ˈɪnfluəns

peer influence

Meaning
The effect that members of a peer group have on each other, especially in terms of behavior, attitudes, and decision-making.
Example
Peer influence can shape juvenile behavior significantly.
C1 adjective /klæd/

clad

Meaning
dressed or covered in a particular way
Example
The knight was clad in shining armor.
B2 noun /brɑːnz/

bronze

Meaning
a metal made by combining copper and tin, often used for statues and medals
Example
The statue was made of solid bronze.
C2 noun /ˌhæŋ.ki ˈpæŋ.ki/

Hanky-Panky

Meaning
dishonest or suspicious activity; unethical behavior; trickery or deception
Example
The audit revealed some hanky-panky in the company's financial records.
C1 noun /ˌprɒpəˈɡeɪʃən/

propagation

Meaning
The action of spreading and promoting an idea, theory, etc.
Example
The propagation of ideas through social media is rapid.
B2 adjective /ˈpɪt.i.fəl/

pitiful

Meaning
deserving or arousing pity; very small or inadequate
Example
The team's performance was pitiful compared to last year.
C1 noun ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌnjuː.tri.ənt

micronutrient

Meaning
Essential nutrients required by the body in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.
Example
Iron and zinc are essential micronutrients for growth.
C1 verb /əbˈzɒlv/

absolve

Meaning
to free someone from blame, guilt, or responsibility; to pardon
Example
The priest absolved him of his sins.
C1 noun /ˈdʒʌɡərˌnɔːt/

juggernaut

Meaning
A huge, powerful, and unstoppable force or institution.
Example
The new tech company has become a juggernaut in the industry.
B1 noun /pɪl/

pill

Meaning
a small round piece of medicine to be swallowed
Example
He took a pill to relieve his headache.
C2 noun /ˈpɒsi/

posse

Meaning
A group of people, often friends or a group organized to support or enforce the law.
Example
He arrived at the party with his posse of friends.
B1 noun ɪˈməʊʃənz

emotions

Meaning
Strong feelings deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
Example
Emotions ran high during the protests.
B2 noun /ˈtʃɪk piː/

Chick pea

Meaning
round beige legume; protein-rich pulse used in various dishes
Example
Soak the chick peas overnight before cooking them for better digestion.
B2 verb /ɪkˈstrækt/

extract

Meaning
to remove or take out something, often with effort
Example
The dentist had to extract the damaged tooth.
C1 verb /riːˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

refurbish

Meaning
To renovate or redecorate something, especially a building.
Example
The company decided to refurbish its old office.
B2 noun/verb /dræft/

draft

Meaning
A preliminary version of a piece of writing; to prepare a preliminary version of a document.
Example
She finished the first draft of her novel.
B2 noun /aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

identification

Meaning
the process of recognizing or proving who or what someone or something is
Example
You need proper identification to enter the building.
B2 noun fəˈtɪl.ɪ.ti

fertility

Meaning
The quality of being fertile; fruitfulness.
Example
Fertility of the soil is crucial for farming.
C1 verb /ˈstriːmlaɪnɪŋ/

streamlining

Meaning
The process of making an organization or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps
Example
Streamlining processes can significantly reduce operational costs.
B2 noun /er/

Heir

Meaning
a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death
Example
The young prince was the rightful heir to the throne and would become king someday.
B1 verb /rɪˈfɜː/

refer

Meaning
to mention or allude to something; to direct someone to a source of information
Example
Please refer to page 45 for more details.
A1 adjective /tʃiːp/

Cheap

Meaning
low in price; costing little money
Example
This restaurant serves cheap but delicious food.
B2 adjective /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt ˈfrɛndli/

environment-friendly

Meaning
Designed or produced in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment, often using sustainable materials and processes that reduce ecological impact.
Example
Environment-friendly products are designed to reduce ecological damage.
B2 noun /kwest/

Quest

Meaning
a journey or search for something; an adventure to achieve a goal
Example
The knight embarked on a quest to find the legendary treasure.
B2 adverb /ˈblʌnt.li/

Bluntly

Meaning
in a direct way without trying to be polite; frankly
Example
He told her bluntly that she was wrong.
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.
C2 verb /ˈtʃæfɪŋ/

chaffing

Meaning
Teasing or joking in a lighthearted way.
Example
They were chaffing each other during lunch.
C2 noun /ɪnˈtɛstəsi/

intestacy

Meaning
The condition of dying without having made a valid will.
Example
His estate was divided according to the laws of intestacy.
C1 noun /əˈstuːt.nəs/

astuteness

Meaning
The ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
Example
His astuteness helped in negotiations.
B2 noun /ˈprɛdətər/

predator

Meaning
An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
Example
Lions are powerful predators in the savannah.
A2 noun /fəˈtɒɡrəfi/

photography

Meaning
the art or practice of taking and processing photographs
Example
She studied photography in college.
B2 noun steɪks

stakes

Meaning
A strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end, driven into the ground.
Example
The stakes were high for the success of the project.
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.
C2 adjective /sərˈkjuːɪtəs/

circuitous

Meaning
Longer than the most direct way; roundabout.
Example
He took a circuitous route to avoid traffic.
A2 noun /məˈʃiːn/

machine

Meaning
A device with moving parts that uses energy to perform a particular task.
Example
This washing machine is very efficient.
B2 noun /reɪdʒ/

rage

Meaning
intense anger or fury
Example
She shouted in a fit of rage after hearing the news.
C1 noun ˌsɛlf.rɪˈstreɪnt

self-restraint

Meaning
The practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically an impulse or desire.
Example
Practicing self-restraint helps in avoiding impulsive decisions.
C1 noun /ˈpær.ə.di/

Parody

Meaning
an imitation of a particular style for comic effect; a humorous exaggerated copy
Example
The comedy show featured a parody of famous politicians.
A2 pronoun /ðəmˈsɛlvz/

themselves

Meaning
used to emphasize the subject of the sentence or to refer to the subject doing something to itself
Example
They fixed the problem themselves.
C1 noun ˈɪn.fər.əns

inference

Meaning
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning; logical deduction.
Example
Scientists make inferences based on experimental data.
C2 noun /ˌɔːrəˈtɔːri.oʊ/

oratorio

Meaning
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually on a sacred theme, performed without costumes or scenery.
Example
Handel's 'Messiah' is one of the most famous oratorios ever written.
B2 noun /ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/

allocation

Meaning
The action or process of distributing resources or duties for a particular purpose.
Example
Budget allocation for education must be increased.
C2 adjective /daɪˈɡrɛsɪv/

digressive

Meaning
Tending to depart from the main subject in speech or writing.
Example
The speaker's digressive style made the lecture difficult to follow.
C1 verb, noun /ɡɔːrdʒ/

gorge

Meaning
to eat greedily; a narrow valley between mountains or hills
Example
They gorged themselves on pizza after the hike.
C1 noun /ˈsaɪkiː/

psyche

Meaning
the human soul, mind, or spirit
Example
The novel explores the depths of the human psyche.
C1 verb /ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/

magnify

Meaning
to make something appear larger; to increase the importance or effect of something
Example
The microscope can magnify tiny objects for better observation.
A2 noun /bæˈleɪ/

ballet

Meaning
a highly stylized and artistic form of dance
Example
She has trained for years in classical ballet.
A2 noun /trʌk/

truck

Meaning
a large motor vehicle for transporting goods
Example
The truck was loaded with boxes for the warehouse.
C1 noun /mælˈpræktɪs/

Malpractice

Meaning
Improper, illegal, or negligent professional behavior
Example
The surgeon was sued for malpractice after the failed operation.
C2 noun, adjective /klɛərˈvɔɪənt/

clairvoyant

Meaning
a person who claims to have clairvoyance; having the ability to see beyond normal senses
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that she would travel abroad soon.
C1 adjective /ˈroʊ.ɡɪʃ/

Roguish

Meaning
mischievous; playfully dishonest
Example
His roguish smile suggested he was up to some mischief.
C2 noun /ˈpɛtjʊləns/

petulance

Meaning
The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Example
His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone.
B2 adjective əˈkwætɪk

aquatic

Meaning
Growing or living in or near water; of or relating to water.
Example
Aquatic species are being endangered by pollution.
B2 noun /ˈɔːkʃən/

Auction

Meaning
a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder
Example
The antique furniture was sold at an auction last weekend.
C2 adjective /ˈprɒɡnəθəs/

prognathous

Meaning
Having jaws that project forward beyond the rest of the face.
Example
The fossil displayed a distinctly prognathous skull structure.
C2 noun /hɑrˈmoʊniəm/

Harmonium

Meaning
a keyboard musical instrument similar to an organ, using air to produce sound
Example
She played devotional songs on the harmonium at the temple.
C2 adverb /ˈaɪsɪli/

icily

Meaning
In a very cold, unfriendly, or hostile manner.
Example
She replied icily to his question.
B2 noun /ˈpaɪ.rət/

Pirate

Meaning
a person who attacks and robs ships at sea; someone who uses or reproduces copyrighted material illegally
Example
The pirate ship was spotted near the coast.
B1 adjective /ˈʌpˌkʌmɪŋ/

upcoming

Meaning
about to happen or appear
Example
The upcoming event will be held next week.
B2 noun /ˈkrɪstəl/

crystal

Meaning
a clear, transparent mineral or glass that forms a solid structure with regular patterns
Example
She wore a necklace made of sparkling crystal.
C1 noun/adjective /ˈmɒnəkrəʊm/

monochrome

Meaning
A photograph, painting, or screen image in black and white or varying tones of one color.
Example
The old film was shot entirely in monochrome.
B2 noun /ˈbælət/

ballot

Meaning
a process of voting, usually in secret; the paper used to record a vote
Example
Voters cast their ballot in the election.
A2 noun /tʌŋ/

Tongue

Meaning
the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, speaking, and swallowing; a language
Example
The doctor asked him to stick out his tongue for examination.
C1 adjective /æmˈfɪb.i.əs/

Amphibious

Meaning
able to live both on land and in water; suitable for both land and water operations
Example
The amphibious vehicle can travel on both land and water.
B2 noun /ˈklʌstər/

cluster

Meaning
a group of similar things or people positioned close together
Example
The grapes grew in a tight cluster.
B1 noun /ˈtʃɛərˌwʊmən/

chairwoman

Meaning
a woman who presides over a meeting, committee, or organization; a female leader of a board or council
Example
She was elected chairwoman of the company after years of experience.
C1 verb (past) /ˈmɛrɪtɪd/

merited

Meaning
Deserved or earned something.
Example
Her dedication merited recognition from the community.
C1 adjective ˈkrɪp.tɪk

cryptic

Meaning
Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure; difficult to understand.
Example
The message was cryptic and hard to decipher.
C2 noun /ˈstrætədʒəm/

stratagem

Meaning
a plan or scheme designed to achieve a particular goal, often by trickery
Example
The general devised a clever stratagem to outwit the enemy.
A1 noun /hænd/

Hand

Meaning
the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb
Example
He raised his hand to ask a question.
B1 noun, verb /dʒeɪl/

jail

Meaning
A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime; to imprison.
Example
The thief was sent to jail for stealing.
C1 verb /ˈmæsəkər/

massacre

Meaning
to kill a large number of people brutally; to defeat decisively
Example
The army massacred the innocent civilians.
B2 noun dɪˈveləpɪŋ ˈriːdʒənz

developing regions

Meaning
Areas or countries that are in the process of economic growth and development
Example
Pollution affects developing regions the most.
B2 verb /ˌriːkriˈeɪt/

recreate

Meaning
to create or produce something again, especially a new version of something lost or destroyed
Example
The team recreated the lost dataset from backups.
C1 adjective /ɪˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/

Illogical

Meaning
not reasonable or sensible; lacking logic
Example
It would be illogical to go swimming in such cold weather.
B1 noun /fæts/

fats

Meaning
Essential macronutrients that provide energy, support cell growth, and protect organs while helping absorb vitamins.
Example
Healthy fats from nuts and avocados support brain function.
C2 adjective /ˈkæp.ʃəs/

Captious

Meaning
tending to find fault or raise petty objections; fault-finding; critical
Example
His captious remarks about every small detail made the meeting very unpleasant.
C1 noun /ʃeɪl/

shale

Meaning
a fine-grained sedimentary rock that can be split into thin layers
Example
The region is rich in shale and natural gas deposits.
B2 noun /wʌn θɜːd/

one-third

Meaning
one part of something that is divided into three equal parts
Example
One-third of the class was absent today.
C1 adverb /rɪˈspek.tə.bli/

Respectably

Meaning
in a way that is worthy of respect; decently; properly
Example
She was dressed respectably for the interview.
A2 noun /ˈsen.tʃər.i/

Century

Meaning
a period of one hundred years; a score of one hundred in cricket
Example
The ancient castle has stood for more than five centuries.
B1 adverb /ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənətli/

Unfortunately

Meaning
used to express regret or disappointment about something
Example
Unfortunately, the weather was bad for our picnic.
B1 noun ɪˈkwɒl.ə.ti

equality

Meaning
The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Example
Equality in education is a key goal.
C1 noun /ˈsed.ɪ.mənt/

Sediment

Meaning
matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; particles deposited by water or wind
Example
The river carried sediment downstream during the flood.
C1 noun ˈstræt.ə.sfɪər

stratosphere

Meaning
The layer of the earth's atmosphere above the troposphere, extending to about 50 km above the earth's surface.
Example
The stratosphere provides a unique environment.
B2 noun ɪnˈdʒʌstɪs

injustice

Meaning
Lack of fairness or justice; the practice of being unjust or unfair.
Example
The story portrays the injustices faced by the common people.
C2 adjective /ləˈkɒnɪk/

laconic

Meaning
using very few words; concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
Example
His laconic reply ended the conversation quickly.
C2 verb /ˈbætn/

batten

Meaning
To fasten or secure something tightly.
Example
They battened down the hatches before the storm.
B1 noun

Pattern

B2 noun ˈsæt.əl.aɪt

satellite

Meaning
An artificial object which has been intentionally placed into orbit around a celestial body.
Example
Satellites provide critical data for research.
B2 noun /ˈspesɪmən/

Specimen

Meaning
an individual example of something; a sample collected for scientific study or testing
Example
The scientist collected a blood specimen for analysis.
C2 noun /ˈtɪl.ər/

Tiller

Meaning
a person who tills or cultivates land; a farmer
Example
The tiller worked hard in the fields every morning.