surroundings
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B2 noun /səˈraʊn.dɪŋz/

surroundings

Meaning
The area around a person, place, or thing.
Example
She quickly adapted to her new surroundings.
C1 noun /ˌklɔːstrəˈfəʊbiə/

claustrophobia

Meaning
an extreme or irrational fear of being in confined spaces
Example
He avoids elevators because of his claustrophobia.
C1 adjective/verb /ˈleɪ.bərd/

labored

Meaning
done with great effort and difficulty; or past tense of labor
Example
He gave a labored explanation that confused the audience.
C1 noun ˌɪn.fɪlˈtreɪ.ʃən

infiltration

Meaning
The process of entering or gaining access to an organization or place surreptitiously.
Example
Cybersecurity prevents infiltration into sensitive data.
C2 noun /ˌpaɪroʊˈmeɪniæk/

pyromaniac

Meaning
A person with an uncontrollable desire to set things on fire.
Example
The pyromaniac was arrested for setting several buildings ablaze.
C2 adjective /əˈbɪs.əl/

abyssal

Meaning
Related to or characteristic of the deep ocean, especially the zone below 4000 meters.
Example
Abyssal creatures survive in extreme pressure conditions.
B2 noun /ˌrɛɡ.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/

regulation

Meaning
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
Example
Government regulation ensures fair business practices.
C2 noun /ˈflætʃələns/

flatulence

Meaning
the accumulation of gas in the digestive system; excessive gas in the stomach or intestines
Example
Eating beans can sometimes cause flatulence.
A2 adjective /ˈtaɪ.ni/

Tiny

Meaning
extremely small in size or amount
Example
The baby bird was tiny and helpless.
C1 adjective /ˈstɪndʒi/

stingy

Meaning
unwilling to spend or give; miserly
Example
He is too stingy to buy a gift for his friend.
C1 verb /bɔːl/

bawl

Meaning
to shout or cry loudly
Example
The baby bawled all night, keeping everyone awake.
A2 noun/adjective /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/

individual

Meaning
A single human being as distinct from a group; relating to one person.
Example
Each individual has the right to freedom of speech.
C1 noun ˌvæljuˈeɪʃən

valuation

Meaning
An estimation of the worth of something.
Example
The valuation of the property was much higher than expected.
A2 noun /ˈpɪloʊ/

Pillow

Meaning
a soft cushion used to support the head while sleeping
Example
She rested her head on the soft pillow.
A1 noun /tɜːrn/

Turn

Meaning
an act of moving something in a circular direction; a change of direction; an opportunity to do something
Example
It's your turn to speak at the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈvɜː.tʃuː/

Virtue

Meaning
behavior showing high moral standards; a good or useful quality of a thing
Example
Honesty is considered the highest virtue in many cultures.
C2 noun /ˈɔɪl.mən/

Oilman

Meaning
a person who works in the oil industry; someone who sells oil or petroleum products
Example
The oilman discovered a new oil field in the desert.
C1 noun /kənˈspɪrə.tər/

conspirator

Meaning
a person who secretly plans with others to do something unlawful or harmful
Example
The conspirator was arrested before the plan could be carried out.
A1 interjection /haɪ/

hi

Meaning
a friendly greeting used when meeting someone
Example
Hi, it's nice to meet you!
B1 adjective /rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/

Remarkable

Meaning
worthy of attention; extraordinary; notable;
Example
His recovery from the illness was remarkable.
C2 noun /ˈpæk.ɪ.dɜːrm/

pachyderm

Meaning
a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus
Example
The zoo had several pachyderms, including elephants and rhinos.
A2 adjective /ˈnæʃənəl/

national

Meaning
relating to a nation, especially its culture, language, or government
Example
The national anthem was played at the ceremony.
C1 noun /ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃən/

conflagaration

Meaning
This is a common misspelling of 'conflagration', which means a large, destructive fire.
Example
The term 'conflagaration' is often incorrectly used instead of 'conflagration'.
B2 noun /buːˈtiːk/

boutique

Meaning
a small shop that sells fashionable clothes or accessories
Example
She bought a beautiful dress from a boutique downtown.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈfeər/

Unfair

Meaning
not right or just; treating people in a way that favors some over others
Example
It's unfair to blame her for something she didn't do.
C2 adjective/adverb /ˌæ.prəˈpoʊ/

apropos

Meaning
Appropriate to the situation; relevant. As an adverb, it means 'with reference to' or 'regarding'.
Example
His comments were not apropos of the discussion.
B2 noun /ˈdɛpjʊti/

deputy

Meaning
A person appointed as a substitute with power to act.
Example
The deputy will lead the meeting in the manager’s absence.
C1 verb əˈnaɪ.ə.leɪt

annihilate

Meaning
Destroy utterly; obliterate; reduce to nothing.
Example
The explosion annihilated the entire village.
C1 adjective /əˈluːf/

aloof

Meaning
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
Example
He remained aloof during the entire discussion.
C1 adjective /ˈʃeɪm.ləs/

Shameless

Meaning
having no shame; bold and rude; impudent
Example
The shameless politician refused to apologize for his mistakes.
B2 verb /dɒdʒ/

dodge

Meaning
to move quickly to one side to avoid something; to avoid dealing with something cleverly or dishonestly
Example
The boxer managed to dodge his opponent's punch.
B2 noun /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən/

immigration

Meaning
the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country
Example
Immigration policies vary from country to country.
B2 verb /bɪˈtreɪ/

betray

Meaning
to be disloyal to; to reveal secrets
Example
He felt betrayed by his closest friend.
C1 verb diːˈsɛn.sɪ.taɪz

desensitize

Meaning
To make someone less sensitive or reactive to something through repeated exposure.
Example
Constant exposure to violence can desensitize people.
B2 adjective /ˈpɔɪ.zən.əs/

Poisonous

Meaning
containing poison; toxic; deadly
Example
The snake is highly poisonous and dangerous.
A1 verb /niːd/

need

Meaning
to require something; to be in want of
Example
I need help with my homework.
B1 adjective /ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/

impatient

Meaning
Not able to wait calmly; restless and eager for something to happen.
Example
She grew impatient while waiting in the long queue.
C2 noun /ɪnˈsɪpiəns/

incipience

Meaning
the beginning or initial stage of something
Example
The project was still in its incipience when funding was approved.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnsjələr/

insular

Meaning
Narrow-minded, isolated, or relating to an island.
Example
The community was criticized for its insular attitudes toward outsiders.
C1 adjective /pəˈnʌltɪmət/

penultimate

Meaning
second to the last in a sequence or series
Example
She finished the penultimate chapter before going to sleep.
C1 noun /ˈsɛntɪnəl/

sentinel

Meaning
A soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
Example
A sentinel stood at the entrance of the camp.
C2 noun /əˈspær.ə.ɡəs biːn/

Asparagus bean

Meaning
a long, thin green vegetable pod that grows on vines; also known as yard-long bean
Example
The asparagus bean grows up to three feet long and is commonly used in Asian cooking.
B2 adjective /ˈfoʊni/

phony

Meaning
not genuine; fraudulent or insincere
Example
He gave a phony smile to hide his true feelings.
C1 verb /praɪ/

pry

Meaning
to look closely into something; to try to find out private information
Example
She tried to pry into her neighbor’s private life.
C1 adjective /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

substantive

Meaning
Having a firm basis in reality; important, meaningful, or considerable.
Example
The company made substantive changes to its policy.
B2 noun /ˌkɔr.əˈspɑn.dəns/

Correspondence

Meaning
letters sent or received; similarity or equivalence; communication by exchange of letters
Example
The historical correspondence between the two famous writers was recently published.
C1 adverb /əˈfrɛʃ/

afresh

Meaning
From the beginning, in a new way.
Example
After the failure, they started the project afresh.
C2 adjective /blɑːˈzeɪ/

blase

Meaning
unimpressed or indifferent to something because it has been experienced so often before
Example
After years of luxury travel, she felt blase about another trip to Paris.
C2 verb /məʊlt/

molt

Meaning
To shed old feathers, skin, or hair to make way for new growth.
Example
Birds molt their feathers once a year.
B2 noun /ˌrek.riˈeɪ.ʃən/

Recreation

Meaning
an activity that is done for enjoyment; the process of making something exist again
Example
The park provides recreation facilities for children and adults.
C1 adjective /pərˈtɜːrbd/

perturbed

Meaning
feeling anxious, unsettled, or disturbed
Example
He looked perturbed after hearing the bad news.
C1 verb /ˈɪnfɪltreɪt/

infiltrate

Meaning
to secretly enter or gain access to a place or group
Example
The spies managed to infiltrate the enemy base.
C2 noun /ˌmɪnəˈrɛt/

minaret

Meaning
A tall, slender tower of a mosque, from which the call to prayer is announced.
Example
The minaret of the mosque could be seen from miles away.
A2 adjective /waɪz/

wise

Meaning
having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment
Example
It was wise of him to save money for the future.
C1 verb /wɪlt/

wilt

Meaning
To become limp, weak, or drooping, often due to lack of water or energy.
Example
The flowers wilted in the heat of the sun.
C1 noun /ˌmɪsdɪˈmiːnər/

misdemeanor

Meaning
A minor wrongdoing or criminal offense that is less serious than a felony.
Example
He was fined for a misdemeanor involving public disturbance.
C1 adjective /kənˈsɛntrɪk/

concentric

Meaning
having a common center, as in circles or spheres
Example
The artist drew concentric circles on the canvas.
B2 noun /traɪb/

tribe

Meaning
a social group consisting of people with common customs, language, and culture
Example
The tribe lived in harmony with nature.
A1 noun /wɒnt/

Want

Meaning
lack or shortage of something; poverty or need
Example
There is a want of fresh water in the drought-affected areas.
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.
C1 adjective /ˌtræn.senˈdɛn.təl/

transcendental

Meaning
relating to the spiritual or non-physical realm; surpassing ordinary experience
Example
Meditation can lead to transcendental experiences.
C2 verb /ˈmæstɪkeɪt/

masticate

Meaning
to chew food thoroughly before swallowing
Example
He slowly masticated the bread before swallowing.
C1 noun /ˌtɒləˈreɪʃən/

toleration

Meaning
The practice of allowing something that one does not necessarily agree with.
Example
The government promoted religious toleration.
C1 adjective /əbˈstrʌk.tɪv/

Obstructive

Meaning
deliberately creating difficulties or preventing progress; hindering or blocking something
Example
The obstructive policies hindered economic growth.
C1 noun /ˈɛstjʊəri/

estuary

Meaning
the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream
Example
The city is located near the estuary of the river.
C1 noun ˈprəʊses stəˈbɪlɪti

process stability

Meaning
The consistency and steadiness of biological or functional processes
Example
Cold air ensures process stability in plants.
C2 noun /bəˈfuːnəri/

buffoonery

Meaning
Foolish or ridiculous behavior intended to amuse.
Example
His constant buffoonery irritated the serious audience.
C2 noun /moʊt/

mote

Meaning
A tiny particle or speck, especially of dust.
Example
A mote of dust floated in the sunlight.
C2 noun /ˌkɒnvəˈluːʃən/

convolution

Meaning
a twist, coil, or a complex and intricate shape or arrangement
Example
The brain has many convolutions that increase its surface area.
C2 noun /ɪnˈsaɪzər/

incisor

Meaning
a narrow-edged tooth at the front of the mouth, adapted for cutting
Example
The dentist noted that his upper left incisor was chipped.
B1 noun /ˈfɪkʃən/

fiction

Meaning
Literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact.
Example
She enjoys reading science fiction novels.
C2 verb /ˈlaɪ.ə.naɪz/

lionize

Meaning
to treat someone as a celebrity or give a lot of public attention
Example
The press began to lionize the young scientist after his discovery.
B2 noun ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd

pesticide

Meaning
A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals.
Example
The pesticide sprayed in the field killed the harmful insects.
C2 noun /ɪˈlɪziəm/

elysium

Meaning
A place or state of perfect happiness; in Greek mythology, the afterlife paradise.
Example
For her, the garden was a personal elysium.
B2 adjective /ˈhaɪˌprəʊfaɪl/

high-profile

Meaning
having a lot of attention or public notice
Example
The CEO attended a high-profile conference in New York.
B2 verb baɪnd

bind

Meaning
To tie, fasten, or hold together securely.
Example
This force binds quarks together.
C1 noun /ˈpæl.ə.tə.bəl miːt/

Palatable meat

Meaning
Meat that is pleasant to taste; appetizing meat dish
Example
The chef prepared palatable meat dishes for the dinner party.
C1 verb /dɪsˈpruːv/

disprove

Meaning
to show that something is false or wrong
Example
The scientist worked hard to disprove the old theory.
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.
A2 noun /ˈɡræmər/

grammar

Meaning
the system and structure of a language, including rules for syntax, morphology, and usage
Example
She studied grammar to improve her writing skills.
B2 verb /ɪnˈtaɪtəl/

entitle

Meaning
to give someone the right to have or do something
Example
Employees are entitled to receive paid holidays.
B2 noun, verb, adjective /ræŋk/

rank

Meaning
A position in a hierarchy; to place in order according to importance or quality.
Example
She quickly rose to a senior rank in the company.
C2 noun /ˈbʊlwərk/

bulwark

Meaning
A strong wall or defensive structure; something that provides protection or support.
Example
The fortress walls served as a bulwark against enemy attacks.
C1 adverb /iːsˈθetɪkli/

aesthetically

Meaning
in a way that is concerned with beauty or visual appeal
Example
The building is aesthetically pleasing despite its simple design.
C2 noun /ˈfɪli/

filly

Meaning
a young female horse
Example
The filly ran swiftly across the meadow.
C1 verb /ɪmˈplɔːr/

implore

Meaning
To beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
Example
She implored him to stay with her.
C2 noun /ˈkɒn.tɪ.nəns/

continence

Meaning
self-restraint, especially regarding bodily functions or desires
Example
He practiced continence to maintain focus on his studies.
C1 noun ˈlaɪv.li.hʊd

livelihood

Meaning
A means of securing the necessities of life; a way of making a living.
Example
Fishing is the primary livelihood of coastal communities.
A1 noun /ker/

Care

Meaning
the provision of what is necessary for health, welfare, or protection
Example
The nurse provided excellent care for the elderly patients.
C1 verb /taʊt/

tout

Meaning
to promote, praise, or advertise aggressively
Example
The company touted its new product as a game-changer.
C1 adjective /ˈɪndɪɡoʊ bluː/

Indigo-blue

Meaning
a deep blue color with a purplish tinge
Example
The indigo-blue sky looked magnificent at twilight.
A1 adjective /fjuː/

few

Meaning
A small number of; not many.
Example
Only a few students attended the class.
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.
C1 noun /ˈsɪk.əl/

Sickle

Meaning
a tool with a curved metal blade and short handle used for cutting grain crops
Example
The farmer harvested wheat using a traditional sickle.
C2 adjective /ˈæfərənt/

afferent

Meaning
carrying impulses toward a central organ or part, especially toward the brain or spinal cord
Example
Afferent nerves carry signals from the body to the brain.
C1 adjective /skænt/

Scant

Meaning
barely sufficient; inadequate; small in amount
Example
There was scant evidence to support his claim.
A2 adverb /ˈrɛə(r)li/

rarely

Meaning
not often, infrequently
Example
She rarely eats sweets because of her diet.
C1 noun/verb mælˈfʌŋk.ʃən

malfunction

Meaning
A failure to function normally or satisfactorily; a defect or breakdown.
Example
The engine malfunctioned due to overheating.
B2 noun ˈkrɪp.toʊˌkɝː.ən.si

cryptocurrency

Meaning
Decentralized digital currency operated using blockchain technology.
Example
Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency in the market.
C1 verb/noun /ɡraʊl/

growl

Meaning
To make a low, guttural sound, often in anger (by animals or humans).
Example
The dog growled at the stranger.
B1 adjective /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/

Unexpected

Meaning
not expected or anticipated; surprising
Example
The unexpected news left everyone speechless.
B2 verb /ɪtʃ/

itch

Meaning
to feel an urge to scratch; to have a restless desire
Example
My skin itches from the mosquito bites.
C1 adjective /moʊv/

mauve

Meaning
a pale purple color with a grayish or bluish tinge
Example
She wore a beautiful mauve dress to the party.
A2 verb /ˈɑːrɡjuː/

argue

Meaning
to have a disagreement; to present reasons for or against
Example
They often argue about politics.
C2 adjective /ʌnˈblʌʃɪŋ/

Unblushing

Meaning
showing no shame or embarrassment; boldly shameless
Example
He told the unblushing lie without any hesitation.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈsteɪbəl/

instable

Meaning
not stable; liable to change, collapse, or fail; lacking firmness or reliability
Example
The instable political situation worried foreign investors.
B2 noun /plænˈteɪʃən/

plantation

Meaning
a large area of land where crops are grown, often for commercial purposes
Example
The sugarcane plantation stretched for miles across the valley.
B2 noun /ˈfriːdəm ˌfaɪtər/

freedom fighter

Meaning
a person who takes part in an armed or political struggle to achieve freedom or independence for their people or country
Example
The freedom fighter dedicated his life to the liberation of his homeland.
B2 noun /ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/

Delegate

Meaning
a person chosen or elected to act for or represent others; representative
Example
Each country sent a delegate to participate in the international conference.
B2 noun /ɡaʊn/

Gown

Meaning
a long dress, typically worn on formal occasions; a loose robe worn for comfort or in professional settings
Example
She looked elegant in her evening gown at the graduation ceremony.
C1 noun /ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪtər/

speculator

Meaning
A person who forms theories without evidence, or invests in assets hoping for profit.
Example
The real estate speculator bought land hoping its value would rise.
C1 noun /wæks ɡɔːrd/

Wax Gourd

Meaning
a large white or green gourd with waxy skin, commonly used in Asian cooking
Example
The wax gourd soup is very nutritious and helps with digestion.
B2 noun /ˈvæn.ɪ.ti/

Vanity

Meaning
excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements; the quality of being worthless or pointless
Example
Her vanity made her spend hours looking at herself in the mirror.
B2 noun /fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/

philosophy

Meaning
the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
Example
Her philosophy emphasizes kindness and empathy.
B1 noun /ˈklaɪənt/

client

Meaning
A person or organization using the services of a professional or company.
Example
The lawyer met with her client to discuss the case.
C1 noun /ˈɒn.slɔːt/

onslaught

Meaning
A fierce or destructive attack.
Example
The village faced an onslaught of enemy forces.
C2 verb /ˌɛvəˈnɛs/

evanesce

Meaning
To disappear gradually; to fade away.
Example
The mist began to evanesce as the sun rose higher.
C1 verb /ɪmˈpɜːrsəneɪt/

impersonate

Meaning
to pretend to be another person in order to entertain or deceive
Example
He was arrested for trying to impersonate a police officer.
A1 adjective /raʊnd/

round

Meaning
having a circular shape; shaped like a sphere or disk
Example
The table was round and had a smooth surface.
C1 noun /ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪst/

anthropologist

Meaning
a person who studies human societies, cultures, and their development
Example
The anthropologist spent years studying the tribal community.
B1 verb /əˈmjuːz/

amuse

Meaning
to entertain or make someone laugh or smile; to occupy pleasantly
Example
The clown amused the children at the party.