sufficiency
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C1 noun səˈfɪʃənsi

sufficiency

Meaning
The condition of being adequate or enough; adequacy.
Example
The sufficiency of food supply is critical for survival.
C1 adjective /ˈskænti/

Scanty

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

Sepulture

Meaning
the act of burying a dead body; burial; a grave or tomb
Example
The ancient king's sepulture was discovered by archaeologists.
B2 noun ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən

sanitation

Meaning
Conditions relating to public health, especially the provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.
Example
Good sanitation practices are key to preventing infestations.
B2 verb, noun /stɔːl/

stall

Meaning
to stop or cause to stop temporarily; a small shop or stand
Example
The car stalled on the way to the office.
C1 verb, noun /sæp/

sap

Meaning
As a noun: the vital fluid in plants; As a verb: to gradually weaken or drain strength.
Example
The long journey began to sap his energy.
B1 noun /ˈsæm.pəl/

Sample

Meaning
a small part taken as an example of the whole; a specimen
Example
The doctor took a blood sample for testing.
C1 adjective/noun /ˈsʌkjələnt/

succulent

Meaning
Juicy or full of juice; also refers to a plant with thick, fleshy leaves adapted to storing water.
Example
The steak was so succulent that everyone enjoyed it.
B2 noun/verb /swɑːmp/

swamp

Meaning
An area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects; a bog or marsh.
Example
The village was built near a swamp.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌm.weər/

Somewhere

Meaning
in or at some place; in an unspecified location
Example
I left my keys somewhere in the house.
B2 noun /ˌsuː.pərˈstɪʃ.ən/

Superstition

Meaning
a belief or practice considered irrational or supernatural
Example
Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck is a common superstition.
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.
C2 noun /ˈsɛkstənt/

sextant

Meaning
a navigational instrument with a graduated arc of 60°, used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon
Example
Using a sextant, the navigator fixed the ship’s position at noon.
C1 noun, verb /spreɪn/

sprain

Meaning
an injury to a joint in which the ligaments are stretched or torn
Example
She sprained her ankle while running in the park.
C2 noun /spjuːm/

spume

Meaning
Froth or foam, especially found on waves or liquids.
Example
The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving spume in the air.
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 /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.
B2 noun /ˈsuːpəvaɪzə(r)/

supervisor

Meaning
a person who manages or directs the work of others
Example
The supervisor checked the progress of each employee.
C1 adjective, verb /sɪˈdeɪt/

sedate

Meaning
calm, quiet, and composed; or to administer a drug to make someone calm or sleep
Example
The nurse sedated the patient before the operation.
B1 adverb /ˈʃɔːt.li/

Shortly

Meaning
soon; in a short time; briefly
Example
The meeting will begin shortly.
C1 noun /ˈspɛktər/

specter

Meaning
A ghost or spirit; something that causes fear or dread.
Example
The specter of war still haunts the region.
C1 noun /ˈspiːʃiː/

specie

Meaning
money in the form of coins rather than notes or credit
Example
The transaction was made in specie.
C2 noun /ˌsɪnjuˈɒsɪti/

sinuosity

Meaning
The quality or state of being winding, curving, or having many turns.
Example
The sinuosity of the river made navigation challenging.
C2 adjective /ˌsuːpərˈnuːmərɛri/

supernumerary

Meaning
Exceeding the usual number; extra or unnecessary.
Example
The play included several supernumerary actors to fill the background scenes.
B2 noun /spaɪt/

spite

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

shuttle

Meaning
a vehicle or craft that travels regularly between two places.
Example
The airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes.
B1 noun /ˈspeʃəlɪst/

Specialist

Meaning
a person who has specialized knowledge or training in a particular area; an expert
Example
She consulted a heart specialist about her condition.
C2 adjective /sɪˈbeɪʃəs/

sebaceous

Meaning
Relating to or secreting sebum, an oily substance from the skin.
Example
Acne is often caused by overactive sebaceous glands.
C2 adjective /ˈsiːmi/

seamy

Meaning
Morally degraded, unpleasant, or sordid.
Example
The novel reveals the seamy side of city life.
A2 verb /siːm/

seem

Meaning
to give the impression of being something or having a particular quality
Example
He seems tired after the long journey.
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.
B2 verb /sɜːrdʒ/

surge

Meaning
to move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward
Example
The crowd surged forward when the gates opened.
B2 adjective /suːˈpɜːrb/

superb

Meaning
extremely good; excellent
Example
The hotel provided superb service during our stay.
C1 noun /ˈstreɪnər/

Strainer

Meaning
a device having holes punched in it or made of crossed wires for separating solid matter from a liquid
Example
Use a strainer to drain the pasta water.
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 /ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/

specify

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

statute

Meaning
A written law passed by a legislative body.
Example
The new statute protects workers' rights.
B2 adjective /ˈspiː.di/

Speedy

Meaning
moving or happening quickly; fast
Example
The speedy delivery service arrived within an hour.
C1 noun /ˌspɒn.təˈneɪ.ɪ.ti/

spontaneity

Meaning
The quality of being spontaneous; natural and unplanned behavior.
Example
His spontaneity makes him a great conversationalist.
C1 adjective /ˈskwɒlɪd/

squalid

Meaning
extremely dirty and unpleasant, often due to poverty or neglect
Example
He lived in a squalid room with broken furniture.
B2 adjective /səˈbɜːrbən/

suburban

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of a suburb or the people living there
Example
They bought a house in a quiet suburban area.
B2 noun /sloʊp/

Slope

Meaning
an inclined surface; a piece of ground that is not level
Example
We walked up the steep slope of the mountain.
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.
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.
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.
C1 adjective /stiːpt/

steeped

Meaning
Completely surrounded by or filled with a particular quality, influence, or experience.
Example
The town is steeped in history and tradition.
C1 noun /ʃɑːrd/

shard

Meaning
a broken piece of glass, metal, or pottery
Example
He cut his finger on a shard of glass.
B2 adverb /ˈsmɑːt.li/

Smartly

Meaning
in a clever or intelligent way; neatly and stylishly; quickly
Example
He was smartly dressed for the business meeting.
B1 noun /ˈsoʊ.lər ˌsɪs.təm/

Solar system

Meaning
the sun and all the planets, moons, asteroids and other objects that orbit around it
Example
Our solar system has eight planets orbiting the sun.
C1 noun /ˈseɪ.tən/

Satan

Meaning
the chief evil spirit; the Devil in Christian and Islamic belief
Example
According to religious texts, Satan tempts people to sin.
B2 noun /ˈsaɪd.laɪn/

sideline

Meaning
An activity done in addition to one's main job or area of work.
Example
The sideline discussions led to mutual understanding.
C1 noun /ˌsɒl.jʊˈbɪləti/

solubility

Meaning
The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
Example
The solubility of salt in water is high.
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.
C1 verb /ˈsnɪkər/

snicker

Meaning
to laugh quietly in a disrespectful or mocking way
Example
The students snickered when the teacher made a mistake.
A2 adjective /sər'praɪz.ɪŋ/

Surprising

Meaning
causing surprise; unexpected; remarkable
Example
It's surprising how quickly children learn new languages.
C2 noun /sɛkˈstɛt/

sextet

Meaning
a group of six people playing music or a piece written for six performers
Example
The jazz sextet filled the small club with a warm, layered sound.
A2 noun/verb /ˈsiːzən/

season

Meaning
One of the four periods of the year characterized by specific weather conditions; also, to add flavor to food.
Example
Spring is my favorite season of the year.
B1 verb /splɪt/

split

Meaning
to divide or separate into parts or groups
Example
He split the log in two with an axe.
C2 adjective /ˈsæpɪd/

sapid

Meaning
Having a pleasant taste; flavorful.
Example
The chef prepared a sapid dish that delighted everyone at the table.
B1 verb /ʃuːt/

shoot

Meaning
to fire a bullet or arrow from a weapon; to take a photograph or film
Example
He learned how to shoot a bow and arrow.
C1 noun /sloʊθ/

Sloth

Meaning
laziness; reluctance to work or make an effort
Example
His sloth prevented him from achieving his goals.
A2 adjective /ˈsʌn.i/

Sunny

Meaning
bright with sunlight; cheerful and optimistic
Example
It's a beautiful sunny day perfect for a picnic.
B1 noun /ʃɔːr/

Shore

Meaning
the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other body of water
Example
We walked along the shore collecting seashells.
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.
C2 noun /ˈstætɪks/

statics

Meaning
The branch of mechanics dealing with bodies at rest and forces in equilibrium.
Example
She is studying statics as part of her engineering course.
B1 verb /spred/

spread

Meaning
to extend over a larger area; to distribute; to apply
Example
The news spread quickly through the town.
A2 adjective /skɛrd/

scared

Meaning
feeling afraid or worried
Example
She was scared of the dark.
C1 adjective /ˈstʌm.pi/

Stumpy

Meaning
short and thick; having a short, thick appearance
Example
The stumpy little dog wagged its tail enthusiastically.
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.
B2 noun /ˈsɛnsər/

sensor

Meaning
a device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or responds to it
Example
The motion sensor turned on the light automatically.
C2 adjective /ˈsæŋɡwɪˌnɛri/

sanguinary

Meaning
Involving or causing much bloodshed; bloodthirsty.
Example
The battle was one of the most sanguinary conflicts of the war.
A1 verb /sel/

sell

Meaning
to give something to someone in exchange for money
Example
They sell fresh fruits at the market.
C2 adjective /sɛpˈtɛnɪəl/

septennial

Meaning
Occurring every seven years.
Example
The festival is a septennial tradition in the village.
C2 noun /ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/

spendthrift

Meaning
A person who spends money extravagantly or wastefully.
Example
The young prince was known as a spendthrift, wasting his fortune on lavish parties.
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 noun ˈʃeɪdɪd ˈɛəriə

shaded area

Meaning
An area that is protected from direct sunlight.
Example
We sat in a shaded area by the riverbank.
C1 noun ˈsɛlf pəˈzɪʃən

self-possession

Meaning
The quality of being calm and confident and in control of one's emotions; composure.
Example
His self-possession during the crisis was remarkable.
A2 noun /steɪdʒ/

stage

Meaning
a raised platform or area for performances or presentations
Example
The actor stepped onto the stage to deliver his speech.
C2 noun ˌsʌb.dʒʊˈɡeɪ.ʃən

subjugation

Meaning
The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control, especially by force.
Example
The subjugation of weaker nations by colonial powers shaped history.
A2 adjective /ˈspænɪʃ/

spanish

Meaning
relating to Spain or the Spanish language
Example
She is fluent in Spanish and French.
C1 adjective /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/

subterranean

Meaning
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
Example
Subterranean water sources help sustain agriculture.
C2 adjective /ˈsɪlvən/

sylvan

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of the woods or forest.
Example
The cottage was set in a sylvan landscape full of tall trees.
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.
A2 noun /ʃeɪp/

Shape

Meaning
the external form or appearance of something; condition or state
Example
The artist drew a perfect circle shape on the canvas.
C1 noun ˈsʌfrɪdʒ

suffrage

Meaning
The right to vote in political elections; the principle of political representation.
Example
Universal suffrage was a key demand.
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.
C2 verb /ˈsæŋktɪfaɪ/

sanctify

Meaning
to make holy or sacred; to purify
Example
The priest will sanctify the marriage ceremony.
B1 adverb /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/

significantly

Meaning
in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect
Example
The economy has significantly improved over the last decade.
B1 verb /ˈsɪzər/

scissor

Meaning
to cut with or as if with scissors
Example
The tailor scissored the fabric neatly.
A2 verb /səkˈsiːd/

succeed

Meaning
to achieve the desired aim or result; to do well
Example
She worked hard to succeed in her career.
A1 noun /sɔːŋ/

song

Meaning
a short piece of music with words that are sung
Example
She sang a beautiful song at the concert.
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 adjective /ˌsɛm.iˈsɪv.ə.laɪzd/

semicivilized

Meaning
Partially civilized; having some aspects of civilization but not fully developed.
Example
The tribe was described as semicivilized by early explorers.
C2 noun/verb /sluːs/

sluice

Meaning
A sliding gate for controlling the flow of water; to wash or rinse with water in large quantities.
Example
The workers sluiced the mud off the street after the heavy rain.
B2 noun /skrɪpt/

script

Meaning
The written text of a play, film, or broadcast; handwriting style.
Example
The actor memorized his lines from the script.
C2 noun /ˈsʌbtrəˌhɛnd/

subtrahend

Meaning
a number that is to be subtracted from another number
Example
In the equation 10 - 4, the number 4 is the subtrahend.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌm.haʊ/

Somehow

Meaning
in some way; for some reason that is not clear
Example
Somehow, I managed to finish the project on time.
C2 adjective /sæŋˈɡwɪniəs/

sanguineous

Meaning
Relating to blood; bloody.
Example
The surgeon examined the sanguineous discharge from the wound.
C1 adjective /ˈsteɪtli/

stately

Meaning
Having a dignified, majestic, and impressive appearance or manner.
Example
The stately mansion stood at the end of the long driveway.
A1 verb /send/

send

Meaning
to cause something to go or be taken to a particular destination; to transmit
Example
I will send you an email with the details.
C1 noun /səˈlɛmnɪti/

solemnity

Meaning
the state or quality of being serious and dignified
Example
The ceremony was conducted with great solemnity.
C1 adjective /ˈspɛktrəl/

spectral

Meaning
Relating to a ghost or specter; ghostly. Also relating to a spectrum.
Example
The old mansion had a spectral atmosphere at night.
B2 noun/verb /skræp/

scrap

Meaning
A small piece of something; to discard or get rid of something.
Example
He used a scrap of paper to jot down the number.
C1 noun /ˈʃɜːrbət/

sherbet

Meaning
a sweet flavored drink or a frozen dessert made from sweetened fruit juice
Example
On hot days, she enjoys a glass of lemon sherbet.
C2 noun /staɪn/

stein

Meaning
A large beer mug, typically made of glass or stoneware.
Example
He raised his stein to toast his friends.
C1 adjective /ˈstɛlər/

stellar

Meaning
Relating to stars; outstanding or excellent.
Example
She gave a stellar performance in the play.
C1 adjective /səbˈsɜːviənt/

subservient

Meaning
prepared to obey others unquestioningly; less important than something else
Example
She was too subservient to challenge his decision.
A2 adverb /ˈsʌd.ən.li/

Suddenly

Meaning
quickly and without warning; unexpectedly
Example
The car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road.
B1 adjective /ˈskɪlfʊl/

Skilful

Meaning
having or showing skill; expert and accomplished
Example
The skilful surgeon performed the operation with great precision.
B1 verb /ʃaʊt/

shout

Meaning
to say something very loudly
Example
He shouted at the top of his lungs to get their attention.
B2 noun /sɛnt/

scent

Meaning
a distinctive smell, especially a pleasant one
Example
The scent of roses filled the garden.
A1 noun /ˈsekənd/

second

Meaning
a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute; also the position after first
Example
He finished the race in second place.
C1 noun ˈsʌb.tɛkst

subtext

Meaning
Hidden meaning or message behind spoken or written words
Example
The subtext of his speech suggested disagreement.
B2 noun /spæm/

spam

Meaning
unsolicited or unwanted electronic communication, typically in the form of email
Example
My inbox is full of spam emails that I need to delete.
B2 verb /sʌk/

suck

Meaning
to draw something into the mouth by using the lips and tongue
Example
The baby began to suck her thumb.
C1 noun /ˈsɜːrtʃɑːrdʒ/

surcharge

Meaning
an additional charge or payment added to the usual cost
Example
The airline ticket had a fuel surcharge added to it.
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 /ˈsæl.ər.i/

Salary

Meaning
a fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly basis
Example
She receives a good salary for her work as a teacher.
B1 adjective /ˈsensəbəl/

Sensible

Meaning
having or showing good sense; practical and reasonable
Example
It would be sensible to take an umbrella because it might rain.
A2 adjective /ˈsaɪ.lənt/

Silent

Meaning
making no sound; quiet; not speaking
Example
The library was completely silent during study hours.