strenuous
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C1 adjective /ˈstrɛnjuəs/

strenuous

Meaning
Requiring or using great effort and energy.
Example
Climbing the mountain was a strenuous task.
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 /ˈʃʌfəl/

shuffle

Meaning
to walk by dragging one's feet along or without lifting them fully; to mix or rearrange
Example
He shuffled the cards before dealing them.
B2 noun /swiːt/

suite

Meaning
a set of rooms designated for one person's or family's use or for a particular purpose
Example
They stayed in the presidential suite at the hotel.
C1 /splɪnt/

splint

Meaning
A rigid device used to support and immobilize a broken or injured body part.
Example
The doctor applied a splint to stabilize the patient's broken arm.
C1 adjective /sɪˈnɒnɪməs/

synonymous

Meaning
having the same or nearly the same meaning; closely associated with something
Example
For many people, her name is synonymous with generosity.
C1 adjective /ˈsleɪ.vɪʃ/

slavish

Meaning
showing no originality; completely imitative or overly submissive
Example
His slavish devotion to tradition prevented any innovation.
A1 noun /snoʊ/

Snow

Meaning
white frozen water that falls from clouds as soft flakes
Example
The children played happily in the fresh snow.
C2 adjective /ˈseɪpiənt/

sapient

Meaning
Wise, or appearing to be wise.
Example
The professor gave a sapient response to the complex question.
C2 noun /ˌsæv.wɑːr ˈfeər/

savoir-faire

Meaning
The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations; polished social skills.
Example
She handled the delicate situation with remarkable savoir-faire.
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 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.
C1 adjective /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/

sanguine

Meaning
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation.
Example
Despite the challenges, she remained sanguine about the future.
A2 noun /ˈʃaʊər/

shower

Meaning
a brief fall of rain or snow or a device for taking a bath or washing oneself
Example
After the workout, I took a quick shower to refresh myself.
B2 noun ˈsækrɪfaɪs

sacrifice

Meaning
An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else.
Example
The country was freed due to the sacrifice of the warriors.
C1 verb /ˈskʌr.i/

scurry

Meaning
To move quickly with short, hurried steps.
Example
The mice scurried across the kitchen floor when the lights turned on.
B2 adjective /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/

specialized

Meaning
designed or developed for a particular purpose or function
Example
He has a specialized knowledge of ancient civilizations.
C1 verb ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪz

synchronize

Meaning
To coordinate in time; to cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate.
Example
The dancers need to synchronize their movements.
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 adjective /ˈsoʊbər/

Sober

Meaning
not affected by alcohol; serious and thoughtful; moderate
Example
He remained sober throughout the celebration.
B2 verb /ʃrʌɡ/

shrug

Meaning
To raise and lower the shoulders to express uncertainty or indifference.
Example
He shrugged when asked about the missing file.
C1 verb /ˈslækən/

slacken

Meaning
to make or become less tight, less active, or slower
Example
The driver slackened his speed as he approached the village.
A2 noun /staɪl/

Style

Meaning
a particular way of doing something; a distinctive appearance or manner of expression
Example
She has her own unique style of writing that captivates readers.
C1 verb /sɪˈdjuːs/

seduce

Meaning
to attract someone into doing something, especially something they might not normally do
Example
The advertisement was designed to seduce customers into buying luxury products.
A2 adjective /streɪndʒ/

strange

Meaning
unusual or not normal
Example
It was strange to see him at the party after so long.
C1 noun /ˌsɛnsɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/

sensitization

Meaning
The process of becoming sensitive to a substance, situation, or influence.
Example
The doctor warned about the sensitization caused by repeated exposure to chemicals.
C1 verb /ˈsætʃəˌreɪt/

saturate

Meaning
to fill completely with something until no more can be absorbed
Example
The heavy rain saturated the ground within minutes.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːdəˈrɪfɪk/

sudorific

Meaning
causing or increasing sweating
Example
The doctor prescribed a sudorific drug to help reduce the fever.
B1 adjective /sɪnˈsɪər/

Sincere

Meaning
honest and genuine in expressing feelings; free from pretense or deceit
Example
She gave me a sincere apology for her mistake.
C1 adjective /ˌsɛlf ɪˈfeɪsɪŋ/

self-effacing

Meaning
not drawing attention to oneself; modest
Example
Despite his success, he remained self-effacing and humble.
B1 noun /ˌsaʊθˈiːst/

southeast

Meaning
the direction that is between south and east; a region in that direction
Example
The city is located in the southeast of the country.
C1 noun /ʃruː/

shrew

Meaning
a small mouse-like animal; also a woman with a bad temper
Example
The play describes a strong-willed woman as a shrew.
A1 verb /ʃoʊ/

show

Meaning
to display or present something to others; to make visible
Example
Can you show me the way to the station?
C1 adjective /ˌsækrəˈlɪdʒəs/

sacrilegious

Meaning
Showing disrespect or irreverence toward something sacred.
Example
The painting was criticized as being sacrilegious.
C2 noun /ˈsaɪnɪkjʊər/

sinecure

Meaning
a position requiring little or no work but giving financial benefit or status
Example
He was given a sinecure at the university as a reward for his loyalty.
B2 verb /sɑːb/

sob

Meaning
to cry noisily while taking short breaths
Example
She began to sob uncontrollably after hearing the news.
C1 adjective səˈsaɪ.ə.təl

societal

Meaning
Relating to society or social relationships.
Example
Societal benefits of space tourism are under debate.
C2 noun /ˈsɪlvər kɑrp/

Silver carp

Meaning
a large freshwater fish with silvery scales, commonly farmed for food
Example
Silver carp is widely cultivated in fish farms across Asia.
A2 verb /skiː/

ski

Meaning
to glide over snow on skis
Example
We went skiing in the Alps last winter.
A2 verb /stɔːr/

store

Meaning
to keep things in a place for future use; to save information
Example
She stores her winter clothes in the attic.
A1 noun ˈstjuː.dənt

student

Meaning
A person who is studying at a school or university.
Example
Students participated actively in the protests.
B2 adjective /ˈseɪ.krɪd/

Sacred

Meaning
connected with God or a god; considered holy; worthy of religious worship
Example
The sacred temple was visited by thousands of pilgrims.
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 adjective /ˈsteɪʃəˌneri/

stationary

Meaning
Not moving or not intended to be moved.
Example
The car remained stationary at the red light.
B1 noun ˈstrʌk.tʃər

structure

Meaning
The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.
Example
The structure is designed for safety and functionality.
B2 verb ˈsiːlɪŋ

sealing

Meaning
The action of closing or blocking something to prevent entry or escape.
Example
Sealing cracks in the walls can prevent pests from entering.
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.
A2 noun /ˈsoʊ.fə/

Sofa

Meaning
a long upholstered seat for more than one person
Example
The family gathered on the sofa to watch TV.
C1 noun /ˌsɛlf ɪnˈdʌldʒəns/

self-indulgence

Meaning
The act of allowing oneself to enjoy pleasures or desires excessively.
Example
His weekend of self-indulgence included eating sweets and watching movies nonstop.
C2 noun /ˈslæt.ən/

slattern

Meaning
a woman who is untidy or slovenly in appearance or habits
Example
The house looked as if a slattern lived there.
B2 noun /ˈsɪmptəm/

symptom

Meaning
a sign or indication of something, especially of an illness
Example
Fever is a common symptom of the flu.
B2 verb /ˈʃætər/

shatter

Meaning
To break suddenly into many small pieces.
Example
The glass will shatter if you drop it.
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.
A2 adjective /swiːt/

Sweet

Meaning
having a pleasant taste; kind and gentle; pleasing
Example
She has a sweet voice that everyone loves to hear.
B2 verb /ˈsɪmbəlaɪz/

symbolize

Meaning
to represent or stand for something else
Example
The dove symbolizes peace across cultures.
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.
B1 noun /sɔːrs/

Source

Meaning
a place, person, or thing from which something originates; the origin of information
Example
The river's source is high in the mountains.
C2 adjective /sʌbˈdʒeɪsənt/

subjacent

Meaning
lying immediately beneath; underlying
Example
The geological survey revealed subjacent layers of rock.
C2 noun /ˈsɛrəf/

seraph

Meaning
An angelic being associated with light and purity, often depicted as a high-ranking angel in Christian theology.
Example
The stained-glass window depicted a seraph with outstretched wings.
C1 adjective /sər'pæs.ɪŋ/

Surpassing

Meaning
exceeding; going beyond; outstanding
Example
Her surpassing beauty made everyone stop and stare.
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 adjective /ˈsnɒbɪʃ/

snobbish

Meaning
having or showing the attitude of people who think they are better than others
Example
She seemed snobbish because she avoided talking to the waiters.
B2 noun /ˈʃepərd/

Shepherd

Meaning
a person who tends and guards sheep
Example
The shepherd guided his flock to the green pasture.
C1 noun /sɔːd fɪʃ/

Sword fish

Meaning
A large marine fish with an elongated bill resembling a sword
Example
The swordfish can swim at speeds up to 60 mph.
B1 noun /ˈʃed.juːl/

Schedule

Meaning
a plan that lists things or events and the times when they will happen; timetable
Example
Please check your schedule before confirming the meeting time.
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 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.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvɪsəbl/

serviceable

Meaning
fit for use; usable; in working order
Example
The old bicycle is still serviceable despite its age.
B2 verb /ʃɛd/

shed

Meaning
to let something fall off naturally, such as leaves, hair, or tears
Example
Trees shed their leaves in autumn.
C2 adjective /sɛnˈtɛnʃəs/

sententious

Meaning
Given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
Example
His sententious remarks annoyed the audience.
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.
C1 noun /səbˈdʒɛkʃən/

subjection

Meaning
the act of bringing someone or something under control or domination
Example
The people suffered under the subjection of a cruel ruler.
A2 adjective /ˈsɪli/

Silly

Meaning
foolish; lacking good sense or judgement
Example
Don't be silly, of course you can do it!
B2 noun /ˌsɒl.ɪˈdær.ə.ti/

Solidarity

Meaning
unity or agreement of feeling or action among individuals with a common interest
Example
The workers showed solidarity during the strike.
C1 noun /ˈskaɪ.lɑːrk/

Sky-Lark

Meaning
a small brown bird known for singing while flying high in the sky
Example
The skylark sang beautifully as it soared above the meadow.
B2 adverb ˌsɪməlˈteɪnɪəsli

simultaneously

Meaning
At the same time; occurring or existing at the same time.
Example
He worked on two projects simultaneously.
A2 verb /səˈpɔːrt/

support

Meaning
to help or assist someone; to hold up or bear the weight of something
Example
The family will support their son through his studies.
B2 noun /səˈspens/

Suspense

Meaning
a feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what will happen
Example
The movie kept us in suspense until the very end.
C1 adjective ˈsek.tər spəˈsɪf.ɪk

sector-specific

Meaning
Relating to or designed for a particular sector or industry.
Example
Sector-specific policies attract targeted investments.
C2 adjective /ˌsuː.pər.ɪˈrɑː.ɡə.tɔːr.i/

supererogatory

Meaning
Going beyond what is required or expected; more than necessary.
Example
His donation was supererogatory, far beyond what anyone had asked for.
B1 noun/adjective /ˈstændɪŋ/

standing

Meaning
status, reputation, or position; also the act of being upright on the feet
Example
He has high standing in the community for his charity work.
C1 noun ˌsætʃəˈreɪʃən

saturation

Meaning
The state of being saturated; the degree or extent to which something is dissolved or absorbed
Example
The saturation of the market with similar products reduced sales.
B1 noun /ˈsʌməri/

summary

Meaning
A brief statement of the main points of something.
Example
She wrote a summary of the book for her class.
B1 noun /ˈspɪr.ɪt/

Spirit

Meaning
the non-physical part of a person; enthusiasm or courage; the essential character of something
Example
The team showed great spirit despite losing the match.
C1 noun /ˈspɪnstər/

spinster

Meaning
An unmarried woman, often one who is older and considered unlikely to marry
Example
The novel featured a kind-hearted spinster who cared for the village children.
B2 verb /ˈskræmbəl/

scramble

Meaning
to move or climb quickly using hands and feet; to mix or arrange in a hurried way
Example
The kids scrambled up the hill to catch the kite.
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 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.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌl.ki/

Sulky

Meaning
bad-tempered and sullen; moody
Example
The child became sulky when he couldn't get his favorite toy.
B1 noun /ˌsaʊθˈwɛst/

southwest

Meaning
the direction that is between south and west; a region in that direction
Example
They traveled to the southwest of the country for their vacation.
A2 noun /ˈstʌmək/

Stomach

Meaning
the organ in the body where food is digested; the belly or abdomen
Example
My stomach hurts after eating too much.
C2 adjective /saɪˈdɪəriəl/

sidereal

Meaning
Relating to the stars or constellations; measured relative to the stars.
Example
Astronomers use sidereal time to track the positions of stars.
B1 noun /ˈspiːʃiːz/

Species

Meaning
a group of living organisms that can reproduce with each other; a type or kind
Example
The Amazon rainforest is home to thousands of animal species.
A2 noun /ʃiːt/

sheet

Meaning
a large piece of cloth or paper, typically used to cover or protect something
Example
I need a clean sheet to cover the bed.
B2 adjective /ˈstaɪ.lɪʃ/

Stylish

Meaning
fashionable and attractive; having elegance or taste in appearance
Example
She wore a stylish dress to the party.
A1 noun /suːp/

Soup

Meaning
a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, or other ingredients in water
Example
I had a bowl of chicken soup for lunch.
C2 verb /ˈsɛreɪt/

serrate

Meaning
To make a saw-toothed edge or notched margin.
Example
The craftsman serrated the knife blade for better cutting.
C1 adjective /ˈsɜːrvaɪl/ or /ˈsɜːrvəl/

servile

Meaning
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others
Example
His servile attitude annoyed his colleagues.
C1 adjective /ˈstrɪndʒənt/

stringent

Meaning
strict, precise, and exacting
Example
The government imposed stringent measures during the crisis.
A2 noun səˈsaɪəti

society

Meaning
The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
Example
Society plays a pivotal role in shaping an individual's values.
A1 noun /sʌn/

son

Meaning
a male child of a parent
Example
His son is very talented in music.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊkswɪmən/

spokeswoman

Meaning
a woman who speaks on behalf of a group or organization
Example
The spokeswoman for the company announced the new product.
C2 noun /ˈsætər/

satyr

Meaning
a creature from Greek mythology depicted as a lustful being, often half-man and half-goat; by extension, a lecherous man
Example
In the museum mural, a satyr plays the panpipes while dancing in the woods.
A2 noun /sneɪk/

Snake

Meaning
a long, legless reptile that moves by sliding along the ground
Example
The snake slithered through the grass quietly.
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 noun /ˌsoʊsiˈɑːlədʒi/

sociology

Meaning
the study of society, human relationships, and social institutions
Example
She is studying sociology at university.
C1 verb /ʃʌnt/

shunt

Meaning
to move or turn aside; to push or divert from one track to another
Example
The train was shunted onto a different track.
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.
B1 noun /seɪlz/

sales

Meaning
activities related to selling products or services
Example
The company saw a significant increase in sales during the holiday season.
C1 noun /ˈsɪstərhʊd/

sisterhood

Meaning
The relationship between sisters, or a community of women united by shared experiences or goals.
Example
The feminist movement created a strong sense of sisterhood among women.
A2 noun ˈsaɪəns

science

Meaning
The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
Example
Science continues to explore the unknown.
B2 verb /ˈstʌmbəl/

stumble

Meaning
to trip or lose balance while walking or running; to make a mistake or falter
Example
He stumbled on the uneven pavement.
B1 noun, verb /stɒk/

stock

Meaning
a supply of goods kept for sale or use; to keep or fill with goods
Example
The shop stocks a wide variety of products.
B1 adverb /ˈsædli/

sadly

Meaning
in a sorrowful or unhappy manner
Example
She sadly waved goodbye as the train departed.
A1 noun /ʃuː/

Shoe

Meaning
covering for the foot, typically made of leather or cloth
Example
She bought a new pair of running shoes for exercise.
C2 noun /sɪlf/

sylph

Meaning
A mythical spirit of the air; also refers to a slender, graceful woman.
Example
She moved across the stage like a sylph, light and graceful.
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.
A2 noun /sprɪŋ/

spring

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

spartan

Meaning
showing simplicity and lack of luxury; austere
Example
He lived in a spartan room with just a bed and a chair.
B2 verb /slæʃ/

slash

Meaning
to cut with a sharp blade; to reduce drastically
Example
The company slashed prices to attract more customers.
C1 noun /straɪf/

strife

Meaning
angry or violent conflict; struggle or discord
Example
The region has been torn apart by political strife.