Sustainable Development
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B2 noun səˈsteɪnəbl dɪˈvɛləpmənt

Sustainable Development

Meaning
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Example
Eco-tourism contributes to sustainable development in local communities.
B2 adjective /ˈspɪr.ɪ.tʃu.əl/

Spiritual

Meaning
relating to the human spirit or soul; religious or sacred
Example
She found spiritual peace through meditation.
B2 adjective /ˈstɛdi/

steady

Meaning
firm, stable, and not likely to change suddenly
Example
He kept his hand steady while painting the picture.
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 (plural) /skræps/

scraps

Meaning
Small pieces left over from something; also small fights or quarrels.
Example
The dog ate the scraps from the table.
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.
B2 noun /ˈsliːpər/

sleeper

Meaning
a person or thing that sleeps; something that unexpectedly succeeds
Example
The movie turned out to be a real sleeper hit.
B2 noun /ˈsæŋk.tʃuˌɛr.i/

sanctuary

Meaning
A place of safety, refuge, or protection; a sacred place.
Example
The forest is a sanctuary for endangered animals.
B2 verb /ˈʃɔːrtn/

shorten

Meaning
To make something shorter in length, duration, or extent
Example
She decided to shorten her speech to fit the time limit.
B2 adjective /ˈsoʊbər/

Sober

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

Snowfall

Meaning
the process of snow falling from the sky; the amount of snow that falls
Example
The heavy snowfall blocked all the roads yesterday.
B2 noun /ˈsɛktər/

sector

Meaning
a distinct part or area of an economy, society, or industry
Example
The technology sector is growing rapidly.
B2 adjective sɪˈvɪər

severe

Meaning
Very great; intense or extreme in degree.
Example
Without action, climate change impacts will become severe.
B2 noun ˈsuː.pər.fuːdz

superfoods

Meaning
Nutrient-dense foods that are particularly beneficial for health and well-being.
Example
Blueberries and spinach are superfoods rich in vitamins.
B2 adjective /sɪmˈbɒlɪk/

symbolic

Meaning
serving as a symbol or representing something else
Example
The dove is symbolic of peace and freedom.
B2 verb /swiːp/

sweep

Meaning
to clean by brushing; to move quickly and smoothly
Example
She sweeps the floor every morning.
B2 noun /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/

socialism

Meaning
An economic system where the means of production are owned by the state or community.
Example
In socialism, resources are distributed equally among citizens.
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 /skeərs/

Scarce

Meaning
rare; not easily found; existing in small quantities
Example
Fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce in desert regions.
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 ˈskɒl.ə.li

scholarly

Meaning
Having or showing great knowledge or learning; academic in approach or method.
Example
He wrote a scholarly article on ancient philosophy.
B2 verb /stɪə(r)/

steer

Meaning
to guide or control the movement of a vehicle, vessel, or person
Example
He steered the car carefully through the narrow street.
B2 noun /speɪd/

Spade

Meaning
a tool with a flat blade for digging; a playing card suit
Example
The gardener used a spade to dig holes for planting flowers.
B2 noun /ˈspəʊksmən/

spokesman

Meaning
a person who speaks on behalf of others, especially for a group or organization
Example
The spokesman addressed the crowd during the rally.
B2 verb /swel/

swell

Meaning
to become larger, rounder, or thicker; to increase in size
Example
Her ankle began to swell after the injury.
B2 adjective /ˈstʌdid/

studied

Meaning
carefully considered, deliberate, or planned
Example
Her response was calm and studied, not impulsive.
B2 noun /ˈsɪnənɪm/

Synonym

Meaning
a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language
Example
Happy and joyful are synonyms.
B2 adjective /ˈsɛkʃʊəl/

sexual

Meaning
relating to the instincts, physiological processes, and activities connected with physical attraction or intimate physical contact between individuals
Example
The sexual health of individuals is an important topic in modern medicine.
B2 noun /sɪmˈplɪsɪti/

Simplicity

Meaning
the quality of being simple; lack of complexity or intricacy
Example
The beauty of the design lies in its simplicity.
B2 adjective səˈfɪs.tɪ.keɪ.tɪd

sophisticated

Meaning
Having great knowledge or experience of the world and knowing about fashion, culture, and other things that people think are socially important; highly developed or complex.
Example
Sophisticated designs enhance aesthetics.
B2 verb /sɜːrdʒ/

surge

Meaning
to move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward
Example
The crowd surged forward when the gates opened.
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.
B2 adverb /ˈskɪl.fəl.i/

Skilfully/US: Skillfully

Meaning
in a way that shows ability and training; expertly
Example
She skilfully painted the portrait in just two hours.
B2 adjective ˌsɪm.əlˈteɪ.ni.əs

simultaneous

Meaning
Occurring, operating, or done at the same time.
Example
Simultaneous crop failures affect global food supply.
B2 noun /stəˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Stability

Meaning
the state of being stable; firmness; steadiness
Example
Political stability is essential for economic growth.
B2 noun /ˈskaɪˌskreɪpər/

Skyscraper

Meaning
a very tall building of many stories
Example
The new skyscraper dominates the city's skyline.
B2 adjective /self səˈfɪʃənt/

Self-sufficient

Meaning
able to provide for oneself without depending on others
Example
The farm is completely self-sufficient in producing vegetables.
B2 adjective /sə'spɪʃ.əs/

Suspicious

Meaning
having or showing distrust; doubtful; questionable
Example
The police found his behavior very suspicious.
B2 adjective /senˈseɪʃənəl/

Sensational

Meaning
causing great excitement or shock; extremely impressive
Example
The sensational performance left the audience speechless.
B2 verb /ʃʌv/

shove

Meaning
to push someone or something roughly
Example
He shoved the box into the corner.
B2 verb /ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/

specify

Meaning
to state or describe something clearly and exactly
Example
Please specify the time and place of the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈʃɔːrt.kʌm.ɪŋ/

Shortcoming

Meaning
a fault or failure to meet a certain standard; a deficiency
Example
Despite his many talents, he has some shortcomings.
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.
B2 adjective /ˌsɪm.pəˈθet.ɪk/

Sympathetic

Meaning
showing compassion or understanding for someone's feelings or situation
Example
She was very sympathetic when I told her about my problems.
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 /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 /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 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 /ʃɪt/

shit

Meaning
a vulgar term for feces or excrement
Example
The dog made a mess by leaving its shit on the floor.
B2 verb /slæʃ/

slash

Meaning
to cut with a sharp blade; to reduce drastically
Example
The company slashed prices to attract more customers.
B2 noun /soʊp keɪs/

Soap case

Meaning
a container used to store soap
Example
She bought a beautiful soap case for the bathroom.
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.
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.
B2 noun/verb /stʌnt/

stunt

Meaning
a daring or unusual action performed for entertainment or publicity; to hinder growth or development
Example
The actor performed a dangerous stunt in the movie.
B2 noun /ˈʃʌtəl/

shuttle

Meaning
a vehicle or craft that travels regularly between two places.
Example
The airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes.
B2 noun/verb /ˈsæd.əl/

saddle

Meaning
A seat fastened on the back of a horse for riding; to burden someone with a responsibility.
Example
He saddled the horse before going for a ride.
B2 verb /ˈʃætər/

shatter

Meaning
To break suddenly into many small pieces.
Example
The glass will shatter if you drop it.
B2 noun /ˈskɔːr.pi.ən/

Scorpion

Meaning
a small creature with eight legs, two claws, and a curved tail with a poisonous sting
Example
The scorpion hid under the rock during the day.
B2 adjective /ʃɪər/

Sheer

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

stadium

Meaning
a large structure with seating for sports, concerts, or other events
Example
Thousands of fans filled the stadium to watch the final match.
B2 noun, verb /striːk/

streak

Meaning
a long, thin line or mark; to move very quickly in a specified direction
Example
Lightning streaked across the night sky.
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.
B2 adjective /slaɪ/

sly

Meaning
Clever in a deceitful or cunning way.
Example
She gave him a sly smile.
B2 noun /ˈskɛlɪtən/

skeleton

Meaning
The internal framework of bones that supports the body of a human or animal.
Example
The teacher showed the students a human skeleton in the biology class.
B2 verb /skeər/

scare

Meaning
to frighten someone or make them feel afraid
Example
The loud noise scared the baby.
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.
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 verb /ʃrɪŋk/

shrink

Meaning
to become smaller in size; to draw back in fear
Example
The sweater shrank after washing in hot water.
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 /ˈsɪblɪŋ/

sibling

Meaning
A brother or sister.
Example
She has three siblings, two brothers and one sister.
B2 adjective /ˈʃeɪm.fəl/

Shameful

Meaning
causing shame; disgraceful; embarrassing
Example
His shameful behavior embarrassed the entire family.
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 strəˈtiː.dʒɪk

strategic

Meaning
Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.
Example
Strategic policies enhance competitiveness.
B2 adverb /ˈsoʊʃəli/

socially

Meaning
in a way that relates to society or social interaction
Example
He is very active socially and attends many events.
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 verb /suːð/

soothe

Meaning
to calm or comfort; to relieve pain or distress
Example
The mother soothed her crying baby with a gentle lullaby.
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 /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 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 noun /ˈsɛnət/

senate

Meaning
a legislative or governing body, typically the upper chamber in a bicameral legislature
Example
The senate voted in favor of the new healthcare bill.
B2 noun /ˈsuː.ɪ.saɪd/

Suicide

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

Symphony

Meaning
an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements
Example
The orchestra performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
B2 noun /ˈstiː.mər/

Steamer

Meaning
a ship or boat powered by steam engines
Example
The old steamer crossed the river slowly.
B2 verb /ˈskætər/

scatter

Meaning
to spread or throw around in different directions
Example
The wind scattered the leaves across the yard.
B2 verb /swaɪp/

swipe

Meaning
to move your finger across a touch screen or to hit with a sweeping motion
Example
He swiped left on the photo.
B2 adjective /ˈspaɪ.rəl/

Spiral

Meaning
winding in a continuous curve; helical
Example
The spiral staircase led to the top floor.
B2 noun /səˈspɛnʃən/

suspension

Meaning
The act of temporarily stopping something; also refers to a system in vehicles that absorbs shock.
Example
The player received a three-game suspension for misconduct.
B2 noun, verb /sɪn/

sin

Meaning
an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law; to commit an offense against religious or moral law
Example
He confessed his sin to the priest.
B2 verb /siːz/

seize

Meaning
To take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
Example
The police managed to seize the stolen goods.
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 verb /snæp/

snap

Meaning
to break suddenly; to speak angrily; to take a photograph quickly
Example
The rope snapped under the weight.
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 /ˈsæksəfoʊn/

Saxophone

Meaning
a wind musical instrument with a curved metal body and a single reed mouthpiece
Example
The jazz musician played a beautiful solo on his saxophone.
B2 verb /ˈsteɪ.bə.laɪz/

stabilize

Meaning
to make something steady, secure, or unlikely to change suddenly
Example
The government took measures to stabilize the economy.
B2 noun /ˈsɜːdʒən/

surgeon

Meaning
a doctor who performs medical operations
Example
The surgeon performed a complex heart operation.
B2 verb /soʊ/

sow

Meaning
to plant seeds in the ground; to scatter seeds for growing
Example
The farmer will sow wheat seeds in the field tomorrow.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf ˈdɪs.ə.plɪn

self-discipline

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions and behavior.
Example
Self-discipline is crucial for achieving long-term success.
B2 adverb /ˈsɪmɪlərli/

similarly

Meaning
in a similar way
Example
Similarly, we can achieve success with dedication and hard work.
B2 noun /skɑːr/

Scar

Meaning
a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed; lasting emotional damage
Example
The accident left a permanent scar on his forehead.
B2 verb /slæm/

slam

Meaning
to close or hit something with great force
Example
He slammed the door angrily after the argument.
B2 noun /slʌm/

Slum

Meaning
a poor urban area with substandard housing and squalid conditions
Example
The government is working to improve conditions in the slum.
B2 noun /ˌspɛsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

specification

Meaning
a detailed description or assessment of something
Example
The product specification includes all the necessary details.
B2 noun ˌsɛlf.kənˈtrəʊl

self-control

Meaning
The ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and desires in order to obtain some reward, or avoid some punishment, typically in the longer term.
Example
Self-control is important for maintaining a balanced life.
B2 verb /ˈstɑːrtl/

startle

Meaning
To surprise or frighten someone suddenly.
Example
The loud noise startled the children.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪk.li/

Sickly

Meaning
weak and unhealthy; prone to illness; appearing weak or pale
Example
The sickly child needed extra care and attention.
B2 noun /ˌsɪmjuˈleɪʃən/

simulation

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

scrolling

Meaning
Moving through content on a screen by sliding up or down.
Example
Scrolling through feeds wastes a lot of time.
B2 verb /skriːtʃ/

screech

Meaning
to make a loud, high-pitched and unpleasant sound
Example
The car screeched to a halt.
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 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 noun /ˈswɒl.oʊ/

Swallow

Meaning
a small migratory bird with long wings and a forked tail
Example
The swallow built its nest under the roof.
B2 adverb /ˈsel.fɪʃ.li/

Selfishly

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

symbolize

Meaning
to represent or stand for something else
Example
The dove symbolizes peace across cultures.
B2 adjective /ˈstɑːrtəld/

startled

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

Speedy

Meaning
moving or happening quickly; fast
Example
The speedy delivery service arrived within an hour.
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 adjective /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/

specialized

Meaning
designed or developed for a particular purpose or function
Example
He has a specialized knowledge of ancient civilizations.
B2 noun, adjective /ˈsoʊʃəlɪst/

socialist

Meaning
a person who advocates for socialism; relating to socialism
Example
He is a well-known socialist writer.
B2 noun /soʊl/

Sole

Meaning
the bottom part of the foot; the bottom part of a shoe
Example
I have a blister on the sole of my foot.