tardy
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C1 adjective /ˈtɑːrdi/

tardy

Meaning
Delayed; arriving or happening late.
Example
The student received a warning for being tardy to class.
C1 noun /ˈfɔːrˌrʌnər/

forerunner

Meaning
A person or thing that comes before another; a predecessor or harbinger.
Example
The Wright brothers were the forerunners of modern aviation.
C1 noun/verb /ˈfʌrəʊ/

furrow

Meaning
A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow; to make wrinkles or grooves.
Example
The farmer plowed furrows in the field.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈseɪʃəbl̩/

insatiable

Meaning
impossible to satisfy; always wanting more
Example
Her insatiable curiosity drove her to read every book in the library.
C1 noun /tɪf/

tiff

Meaning
a small or petty quarrel or argument
Example
They had a little tiff over what movie to watch.
C1 noun, verb /səˈpiːnə/

subpoena

Meaning
a legal document ordering someone to attend court; to summon someone with such a document
Example
The witness received a subpoena to appear in court next week.
C1 adjective /trænˈsen.dənt/

transcendent

Meaning
Beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience.
Example
His art has a transcendent quality.
C1 noun /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/

supposition

Meaning
An assumption or belief that something is true without certain proof.
Example
His plan was based on the supposition that the market would recover quickly.
C1 noun /ˈlʌstər/

luster

Meaning
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially from a polished surface
Example
The diamond had a brilliant luster.
C1 adjective, noun /ˈmɑːrʃən/

martian

Meaning
Related to the planet Mars; or an imaginary being from Mars.
Example
The movie showed a Martian visiting Earth.
C1 noun ˈsʌb.tɛkst

subtext

Meaning
Hidden meaning or message behind spoken or written words
Example
The subtext of his speech suggested disagreement.
C1 noun /deɪˈtɑːnt/

detente

Meaning
the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries
Example
The two nations worked toward detente after decades of conflict.
C1 verb ˈflʌk.tʃu.eɪt

fluctuate

Meaning
To regularly increase or decrease.
Example
Stock prices fluctuate due to market conditions.
C1 noun /ˈkæptər/

captor

Meaning
a person or group who has captured someone or something
Example
The hostage managed to escape from his captors.
C1 adjective /dɪˈsperɪŋ/

Despairing

Meaning
feeling hopeless; in despair
Example
She felt despairing after losing her job.
C1 verb/noun /ˈkwɪbəl/

quibble

Meaning
To argue or raise objections about a trivial matter; a petty objection.
Example
They quibbled over who should pay the bill.
C1 noun, verb /bʌldʒ/

bulge

Meaning
A swelling or protruding part; to swell outward or protrude.
Example
The bag began to bulge with too many books inside.
C1 adjective /ræpt/

Rapt

Meaning
completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing
Example
The children listened with rapt attention to the storyteller.
C1 verb /ˈkæp.saɪz/

capsize

Meaning
to overturn in the water
Example
The small fishing boat capsized during the storm.
C1 noun /ˈlɪɡ.əmənt/

ligament

Meaning
A tough band of tissue that connects bones at a joint.
Example
He tore a ligament in his knee while playing football.
C1 noun /ˈplɛθərə/

plethora

Meaning
an excessive amount of something
Example
She has a plethora of books on her shelf.
C1 noun /kəmˈplɪsəti/

complicity

Meaning
the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing
Example
The court revealed his complicity in the fraud scheme.
C1 verb, noun /lɜːrtʃ/

lurch

Meaning
to make an abrupt, unsteady, or uncontrolled movement; a sudden movement or stagger
Example
The bus lurched forward as the driver hit the brakes.
C1 adjective /ʌnˈhoʊli/

Unholy

Meaning
wicked; sinful; profane
Example
The unholy alliance between the two companies caused public outrage.
C1 noun /vɪnˈjɛt/

vignette

Meaning
A short, descriptive piece of writing or a brief scene.
Example
The author included a poignant vignette in the introduction of the book.
C1 noun /prəʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

procrastination

Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities.
Example
Procrastination is the enemy of success.
C1 noun /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.tɪv/

locomotive

Meaning
A powered rail vehicle used for pulling trains.
Example
The old steam locomotive was restored for the museum.
C1 adjective /ˌwɛlˈbrɛd/

well-bred

Meaning
Having or showing good manners; properly raised.
Example
She is a well-bred young lady with excellent manners.
C1 verb /ˈmʌtər/

mutter

Meaning
to speak in a low or barely audible voice, often in dissatisfaction or irritation
Example
He muttered something under his breath as he walked away.
C1 adjective /pərˈsɛptəbl̩/

perceptible

Meaning
Able to be noticed or recognized by the senses or the mind.
Example
There was a perceptible change in the atmosphere.
C1 noun ˌmɑːr.dʒɪ.nəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

marginalization

Meaning
The treatment of a person, group, or concept as insignificant or peripheral.
Example
Economic policies should address the marginalization of the poor.
C1 adjective /ˈrævənəs/

ravenous

Meaning
Extremely hungry; famished.
Example
After the long hike, she was ravenous and ate quickly.
C1 adjective /dɪˈfʌŋkt/

defunct

Meaning
No longer existing, operating, or functioning.
Example
The company became defunct after the financial crisis.
C1 verb /ˈpeɪtrənaɪz/

patronize

Meaning
to treat someone in a condescending way; to be a regular customer of a business
Example
Don't patronize me with your fake sympathy.
C1 adjective sɪˈlɛstʃəl

celestial

Meaning
Positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space as observed in astronomy.
Example
The celestial bodies in the sky were clearly visible last night.
C1 noun /kɑːrˈtɒɡrəfər/

cartographer

Meaning
A person who makes maps.
Example
The cartographer carefully drew the map of the new territory.
C1 adjective /ɪˈmeʒərəbəl/

Immeasurable

Meaning
too large or extensive to measure; boundless
Example
The immeasurable love of a mother knows no bounds.
C1 adjective /ˈtæti/

tatty

Meaning
Worn out, shabby, or in poor condition.
Example
The sofa looked old and tatty after years of use.
C1 verb /ˈhɪpnətaɪz/

hypnotize

Meaning
to put someone into a state of hypnosis; to influence someone's mind deeply
Example
The magician tried to hypnotize the audience.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpjʊər/

Impure

Meaning
contaminated; not clean; mixed with foreign substances
Example
The impure water caused health problems in the village.
C1 noun, verb /ˈfrænʧaɪz/

franchise

Meaning
A legal right to sell or distribute goods or services in a specific area; to grant such a right.
Example
He opened a new fast-food franchise in the city.
C1 noun /kwɜːrk/

Quirk

Meaning
a peculiar behavioral habit; an unexpected turn or twist
Example
Her quirk of always wearing mismatched socks made her unique.
C1 verb /əbˈdʌkt/

abduct

Meaning
to take someone away illegally by force or deception
Example
The criminal tried to abduct the child in broad daylight.
C1 noun /ˈbæləd/

ballad

Meaning
a narrative song or poem, often sentimental or romantic
Example
The singer performed a moving ballad about lost love.
C1 noun /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk ˈmaɪl.stəʊn/

diplomatic milestone

Meaning
A significant achievement or important event in diplomatic relations.
Example
Hosting the summit was a diplomatic milestone.
C1 adjective /ˈviːəmənt/

Vehement

Meaning
showing strong feeling; forceful; passionate; intense
Example
She gave a vehement denial of the accusations.
C1 adjective ʌnˈjiːl.dɪŋ

unyielding

Meaning
Not easily broken or giving in to pressure.
Example
Her unyielding determination helped her overcome all challenges.
C1 adjective /ˈɜːrθ.li/

Earthly

Meaning
relating to the earth or human life; worldly; material rather than spiritual
Example
He focused on earthly pleasures rather than spiritual growth.
C1 noun /pərˈvɜr.sə.ti/

Perversity

Meaning
deliberate determination to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable way; the quality of being contrary or obstinate
Example
His perversity in refusing help frustrated everyone.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪn.ju.əns/

continuance

Meaning
the state of continuing or being prolonged; persistence
Example
The continuance of the project depended on securing additional funding.
C1 noun /ˈmæn.juˌskrɪpt/

manuscript

Meaning
a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer’s draft before publication
Example
The author submitted her manuscript to the publisher.
C1 noun ˈsʌs.tɪ.nəns

Sustenance

Meaning
Food or support necessary for sustaining life
Example
Water is essential for human sustenance.
C1 noun /ˈfɛtɪʃ/

fetish

Meaning
an excessive or irrational devotion to something
Example
He has a fetish for collecting rare stamps.
C1 noun /ləˈɡuːn/

lagoon

Meaning
A shallow body of water separated from the sea by sandbars or reefs.
Example
We swam in the calm waters of the lagoon.
C1 noun /kəmˈprɛʃn̩/

compression

Meaning
The act of pressing or squeezing something into a smaller space.
Example
File compression helps reduce storage requirements.
C1 noun/verb /ˈɪmprɪnt/

imprint

Meaning
A mark or impression made by pressure; to establish or fix firmly in someone's mind.
Example
The event left an indelible imprint on the city's history.
C1 noun /ˈræmpɑːrt/

rampart

Meaning
a defensive wall of a castle or fort
Example
The soldiers stood on the rampart, watching the enemy approach.
C1 noun /ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃənər/

executioner

Meaning
A person who carries out a death sentence by execution.
Example
The executioner prepared the gallows for the condemned prisoner.
C1 noun /mæɡˈnɪfɪsəns/

magnificence

Meaning
splendor, grandeur, or impressive beauty
Example
The magnificence of the palace left everyone speechless.
C1 noun /ˈɑːr.tər.i/

Artery

Meaning
a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to other parts of the body
Example
The doctor checked the pulse in his artery.
C1 adverb /ˈkɔːrdiəli/

Cordially

Meaning
in a warm and friendly manner; sincerely
Example
You are cordially invited to our wedding ceremony.
C1 verb /ˈsɔːntər/

saunter

Meaning
to walk in a slow, relaxed manner without hurry or effort
Example
We sauntered along the riverside, stopping now and then to watch the boats.
C1 adjective /dɪˈlɪriəs/

delirious

Meaning
in an extremely disturbed or excited state of mind, often due to illness or emotion
Example
He was delirious with fever and kept muttering nonsense.
C1 adjective /kweɪnt/

quaint

Meaning
attractively unusual or old-fashioned
Example
They stayed in a quaint little cottage by the sea.
C1 noun ˌpriː.dɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən

predisposition

Meaning
A natural tendency or inclination toward a particular behavior or condition.
Example
Genetic factors can influence a person's predisposition to diseases.
C1 noun /ˈredʒ.ɪ.mən/

regimen

Meaning
A prescribed course of medical treatment, way of life, or diet for the promotion or restoration of health.
Example
A strict exercise regimen improves overall fitness.
C1 noun /ˌdiː.mɑːˈkeɪ.ʃən/

Demarcation

Meaning
the action of fixing the boundary or limits of something; separation or division
Example
The demarcation between public and private land was clearly marked.
C1 noun /ˈdɒktrɪn/

doctrine

Meaning
A set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religious, political, or other group.
Example
The church follows a strict doctrine on moral values.
C1 adverb /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋli/

searchingly

Meaning
In a way that seems to look for hidden meanings or truth.
Example
She looked at him searchingly, hoping for an honest answer.
C1 noun /ˈmɪd.əl.mæn/

Middleman

Meaning
A person who acts as an intermediary between two parties in a business transaction
Example
They decided to cut out the middleman and sell directly to customers.
C1 adjective /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/

subterranean

Meaning
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
Example
Subterranean water sources help sustain agriculture.
C1 adjective /ˈtɪklɪʃ/

ticklish

Meaning
easily made to laugh by being touched lightly; easily upset or sensitive
Example
She is very ticklish and bursts into laughter when touched on her feet.
C1 adjective /məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/

meticulous

Meaning
Extremely careful and precise in attention to detail
Example
A meticulous researcher checks every detail before publishing.
C1 noun /ɪnˈtɛstɪn/

intestine

Meaning
The part of the digestive system where food is digested and absorbed, extending from the stomach to the anus.
Example
The doctor explained how nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine.
C1 adjective /ˈfɪs.kəl/

fiscal

Meaning
Relating to government revenue, especially taxes, or public money management.
Example
The government introduced new fiscal policies to control inflation.
C1 noun /ˈpʌndɪt/

pundit

Meaning
An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give opinions to the public.
Example
Political pundits debated the election results on television.
C1 verb /ˌoʊvərˈriːtʃ/

overreach

Meaning
to go beyond what is proper, acceptable, or achievable; to overextend
Example
The politician overreached by making promises he couldn't keep.
C1 adverb/adjective /vɜːˈbeɪ.tɪm/

verbatim

Meaning
In exactly the same words as were used originally; word for word repetition.
Example
She repeated his instructions verbatim to avoid errors.
C1 noun /əˈflɪkʃən/

affliction

Meaning
a state of pain, suffering, or distress
Example
Poverty is a common affliction in many parts of the world.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfɜːm/

infirm

Meaning
Weak, especially due to old age or illness.
Example
The infirm old man needed assistance to walk.
C1 noun kəˈmɛns.mənt

commencement

Meaning
The beginning of something; a ceremony at which degrees or diplomas are conferred on graduating students.
Example
The commencement ceremony marked the start of a new journey.
C1 verb /ˈplʌm.ɪt/

plummet

Meaning
to fall straight down at high speed
Example
Stock prices plummeted after the sudden market crash.
C1 noun dɛkˈstɛr.ɪ.ti

dexterity

Meaning
Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands; mental skill or adroitness.
Example
His dexterity in playing the piano amazed the audience.
C1 adjective ɛnˈdɛm.ɪk

endemic

Meaning
Native and restricted to a certain place.
Example
The Bengal tiger is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
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.
C1 adjective /taɪˈtænɪk/

titanic

Meaning
Of exceptional strength, size, or power.
Example
The company made titanic efforts to expand into new markets.
C1 noun ˌɒp.tɪ.maɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

optimization

Meaning
Improving processes to increase performance and efficiency.
Example
SEO optimization helps websites rank higher on search engines.
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 adjective /ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl/

diabolical

Meaning
Wicked, cruel, or outrageously bad; resembling the devil.
Example
The dictator’s diabolical rule brought misery to the nation.
C1 adjective ɪmˈpɪr.ɪ.kəl

empirical

Meaning
Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
Example
Scientific research relies on empirical evidence.
C1 noun /ˈskɛptɪk/

skeptic

Meaning
A person who doubts or questions accepted beliefs or claims.
Example
The scientist was a skeptic of theories without solid evidence.
C1 adjective /ˌeɪθiˈɪstɪk/

atheistic

Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of atheists or atheism.
Example
She grew up in an atheistic household with no religious rituals.
C1 noun /dɪˈstɔːrʃən/

distortion

Meaning
the action of twisting, changing, or misrepresenting the shape, sound, or truth of something
Example
There was a distortion in the radio signal.
C1 adjective /ɪˈleɪtɪd/

elated

Meaning
Extremely happy and excited.
Example
She was elated when she heard the good news.
C1 adjective /ˌɑːpərˈtuːn/

opportune

Meaning
Happening at a suitable or convenient time.
Example
She arrived at an opportune moment to help.
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.
C1 adjective /pəˈrɪʒən/

parisian

Meaning
relating to Paris or its people
Example
She wore a Parisian style dress at the party.
C1 noun /ˈheɪˌdeɪ/

heyday

Meaning
The period of greatest success, popularity, or power.
Example
In its heyday, the company dominated the market.
C1 verb /weɪv/

waive

Meaning
to refrain from insisting on or enforcing something, especially a right or claim
Example
She decided to waive her right to a lawyer.
C1 noun /trɔːf/

trough

Meaning
A long, narrow container from which animals eat or drink; also, a low point between waves or in business cycles.
Example
The cows drank water from the wooden trough.
C1 noun /flʌks/

flux

Meaning
continuous change or movement; the rate of flow of something
Example
The company was in a state of constant flux during the reorganization.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɛlɪdʒəbəl/

Ineligible

Meaning
not qualified or entitled to participate or be chosen; unsuitable
Example
Students with poor grades are ineligible for the scholarship program.
C1 noun /mɑːrʃ/

Marsh

Meaning
An area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide
Example
The endangered birds built their nests in the protected marsh.
C1 verb /ˈʃrɪvəl/

shrivel

Meaning
To become dry, wrinkled, and smaller due to lack of moisture.
Example
The flowers shriveled under the hot sun.
C1 verb /ˈrævɪdʒ/

ravage

Meaning
to cause severe and extensive damage or destruction
Example
The hurricane ravaged the coastal villages.
C1 noun /əˈkʌmplɪs/

accomplice

Meaning
a person who helps another commit a crime
Example
The thief was arrested along with his accomplice.
C1 verb /ræsp/

rasp

Meaning
to speak in a rough, harsh voice or to scrape with a coarse sound
Example
He rasped out a warning before collapsing.
C1 noun səˌsɛp.təˈbɪl.ə.ti

susceptibility

Meaning
The quality of being likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing; vulnerability.
Example
High susceptibility to infections requires extra care.
C1 noun ˈɛksəʊˌplænɪt

exoplanet

Meaning
A planet that orbits a star outside the solar system.
Example
Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets in the last decade.
C1 verb /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/

augment

Meaning
To increase or strengthen something.
Example
The company plans to augment its workforce.
C1 noun /fɪkˈseɪ.ʃən/

fixation

Meaning
An obsessive interest in or feeling about someone or something.
Example
His fixation on perfectionism delayed project completion.
C1 adjective /ɪˈlʌstriəs/

illustrious

Meaning
Well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.
Example
She had an illustrious career in medicine.
C1 noun /ˌsʌb.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/

substitution

Meaning
the action of replacing someone or something with another
Example
The substitution of the old system with the new one was difficult.
C1 adjective ˈskruː.pjʊ.ləs

scrupulous

Meaning
Diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details; having moral integrity; acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper.
Example
He is known for being scrupulous in his work.
C1 noun /ˌsæl.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/

Salutation

Meaning
a greeting; an expression of goodwill
Example
The letter began with a formal salutation.
C1 adjective /ˈvɪskəs/

viscous

Meaning
Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid.
Example
Honey is a viscous liquid that flows slowly.
C1 noun /ˌkʌl də ˈsæk/

cul de sac

Meaning
A street or passage closed at one end; a dead end.
Example
They bought a house at the end of a quiet cul de sac.
C1 noun /ˈfjuː.dʒə.tɪv/

Fugitive

Meaning
a person who has escaped from a place or is in hiding, especially to avoid arrest
Example
The police launched a manhunt to capture the fugitive who escaped from prison.
C1 verb /blɛər/

blare

Meaning
to make a loud, harsh sound
Example
The car horns blared all night.
C1 verb /ˈdræm.ə.taɪz/

dramatize

Meaning
to present a story in a dramatic way, or to exaggerate something
Example
The novel was dramatized into a popular TV series.
C1 noun kənˈsjuː.mə.rɪ.zəm

consumerism

Meaning
The tendency to increase consumption of goods and the importance given to consuming products.
Example
Modern consumerism leads to increased demand for luxury goods.