Touchstone
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C2 noun /ˈtʌtʃ.stoʊn/

Touchstone

Meaning
a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized; a test of genuineness
Example
His honesty became the touchstone by which all other employees were measured.
B1 verb /ter/

tear

Meaning
to pull apart or damage by force; to rip
Example
Be careful not to tear the paper.
C1 noun /ˌtrænsˈpɪəreɪʃən/

transpiration

Meaning
The process by which plants lose water through their leaves, which plays a crucial role in plant cooling, nutrient transport, and the water cycle.
Example
Transpiration plays a key role in the water cycle and plant growth.
A2 verb /taɪ/

Tie

Meaning
to fasten with string or rope; to have equal scores in a competition
Example
Please tie your shoelaces before running.
A2 noun /ˈtɛstɪŋ/

testing

Meaning
the process of assessing or evaluating something, often by trying it out
Example
The testing of the new software is still ongoing.
C2 adjective /ˈtjuːtɪlɑːr/

tutelar

Meaning
Serving as a guardian or protector.
Example
The tutelar spirit of the forest was believed to protect travelers.
B2 noun /ˈtʌtʃ.daʊn/

touchdown

Meaning
the moment when an aircraft lands, or a score in American football
Example
The plane made a smooth touchdown.
C1 adjective /ˈtɔːrtʃuəs/

tortuous

Meaning
Full of twists and turns; excessively complex or complicated.
Example
The tortuous mountain road made driving very difficult.
A2 noun /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/

teaching

Meaning
the profession or practice of teaching
Example
Teaching is a noble profession.
B2 verb /twiːk/

tweak

Meaning
to make small adjustments; to fine-tune something
Example
We need to tweak the design slightly.
C1 noun /θiˈɒlədʒi/

theology

Meaning
The study of the nature of God and religious beliefs.
Example
She is pursuing a degree in theology at the university.
A2 noun /ˈtoʊstər/

Toaster

Meaning
an electric appliance used for toasting bread slices
Example
I put two slices of bread in the toaster for breakfast.
B2 verb /ˈtɪkəl/

Tickle

Meaning
to touch someone lightly to make them laugh; to amuse or please
Example
The feather tickles when it touches your skin.
C1 noun /ˈtuːsəm/

twosome

Meaning
A pair of people considered together, often in a romantic or competitive context.
Example
They entered the dance competition as a twosome.
B2 noun /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ/

thanksgiving

Meaning
an annual holiday in the US for giving thanks, celebrated with a meal
Example
We spent Thanksgiving dinner with our family.
A1 noun /tiː/

Tea

Meaning
a hot drink made by pouring boiling water onto dried leaves
Example
We drink tea every morning at breakfast.
B2 noun /taɪm/

thyme

Meaning
A small aromatic herb used in cooking and medicine.
Example
She sprinkled thyme on the roasted chicken.
C2 noun ˈtɛlɪˌmɛtri

telemetry

Meaning
The process of recording and transmitting the readings of an instrument.
Example
The spacecraft transmitted telemetry data back to Earth.
C2 noun /ˈtʊrnɪkɪt/

tourniquet

Meaning
a device used to stop bleeding by compressing blood vessels
Example
The medic applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
C1 noun /ˈtæn.dəm/

Tandem

Meaning
a bicycle built for two riders, one behind the other
Example
The couple enjoyed riding their tandem bicycle through the park.
C1 noun /ˈtɛstəmənt/

testament

Meaning
a person's will; or strong evidence of something
Example
His success is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
A1 noun /ˈtɛnɪs/

tennis

Meaning
a sport played with rackets and a ball on a rectangular court
Example
He enjoys playing tennis with his friends on the weekends.
B2 adjective /ˈtrʌst.wɜː.ði/

Trustworthy

Meaning
able to be relied on as honest or truthful; deserving of trust
Example
He is a trustworthy friend who always keeps his promises.
C2 noun, adjective /ˌtætərdɪˈmeɪliən/

tatterdemalion

Meaning
A person dressed in ragged clothes; ragged or dilapidated in appearance.
Example
A tatterdemalion wandered the streets in search of food.
B1 adjective /ˈtrɪki/

Tricky

Meaning
requiring skill or careful handling; difficult to deal with
Example
This math problem is quite tricky to solve.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnər/

tenor

Meaning
the general meaning, drift, or character of something; a male singing voice between baritone and alto
Example
The overall tenor of his speech was hopeful and reassuring.
C1 noun/verb /ˈtʌtʃ.ʌp/

touch-up

Meaning
Small corrections or improvements made to something.
Example
The artist gave a quick touch-up to the painting.
C1 noun /tɪˈmɪdəti/

timidity

Meaning
lack of courage or self-confidence
Example
His timidity kept him from speaking up during the meeting.
B2 noun /ˈteɪbəlˌspun/

tablespoon

Meaning
a spoon used for serving or eating food, typically holding about 15 milliliters
Example
She stirred the soup with a tablespoon.
B1 noun /taɪl/

tile

Meaning
a flat piece of baked clay or other material used for covering roofs, floors, or walls
Example
The kitchen floor is covered with ceramic tiles.
C1 noun /ˈtɛnɪt/

tenet

Meaning
a principle, belief, or doctrine held to be true
Example
Honesty is a central tenet of their philosophy.
B2 noun /ˈtwaɪ.laɪt/

Twilight

Meaning
the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon; a period of decline
Example
We walked along the beach at twilight.
A2 noun /ˈtaɪ.ɡər/

Tiger

Meaning
a very large solitary cat with a yellow-brown coat striped with black, native to the forests of Asia
Example
The tiger hunted silently through the jungle.
C1 adjective /ˈtɜːrnkiː/

turnkey

Meaning
ready for immediate use; a complete product or solution
Example
The company provides turnkey solutions for small businesses.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːdri/

tawdry

Meaning
cheap and showy but of poor quality
Example
She wore a tawdry necklace that broke easily.
A1 noun /tə'meɪ.toʊ/

Tomato

Meaning
a red or yellow edible fruit that is typically eaten as a vegetable
Example
She added fresh tomatoes to the salad.
A1 conjunction /ðæn/

than

Meaning
used to introduce the second element in a comparison
Example
She is taller than her brother.
C1 adjective /ˌtɒpsi ˈtɜːvi/

topsy-turvy

Meaning
in a state of confusion, disorder, or upside down
Example
The sudden announcement left the office in a topsy-turvy state.
B2 noun /ˈten.dər.nəs/

Tenderness

Meaning
gentleness and kindness; the quality of being easily hurt or damaged
Example
The mother showed great tenderness while caring for her sick child.
B2 noun /ˈtɛrərɪst/

terrorist

Meaning
a person who uses violence or threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes
Example
The terrorist was arrested by the police after the attack.
C1 noun /ˈtriːzən/

Treason

Meaning
the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill or overthrow the sovereign or government
Example
He was accused of treason against the state.
A2 adjective /trəˈdɪʃənəl/

Traditional

Meaning
relating to or following long-established customs; conventional
Example
They had a traditional wedding ceremony.
B2 verb /θraɪv/

thrive

Meaning
to grow, develop, or be successful
Example
Small businesses can thrive with proper support.
B2 noun /ˈtɔːr.ment/

Torment

Meaning
severe physical or mental suffering; extreme pain or anguish
Example
The prisoner endured years of torment in solitary confinement.
B2 adjective /trɪm/

Trim

Meaning
neat and orderly in appearance; slim and fit
Example
She keeps her garden very trim and tidy.
A2 noun /tuːθ/

Tooth

Meaning
a hard white structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing food
Example
She brushes her teeth twice a day.
B2 adjective /ˌθɛr.əˈpjuː.tɪk/

therapeutic

Meaning
Having a healing or beneficial effect on the body or mind.
Example
Meditation is highly therapeutic for mental well-being.
A1 noun /ˈθɜːrzdeɪ/

thursday

Meaning
The fifth day of the week, following Wednesday and preceding Friday.
Example
We have a meeting scheduled for Thursday.
B2 noun /ˌtɜːrməˈnɑːlədʒi/

terminology

Meaning
the set of technical or special words used in a particular subject
Example
Medical terminology can be difficult for new students to understand.
B1 noun taɪm ˈmænɪdʒmənt

time management

Meaning
The process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities
Example
Time management is crucial for success.
C1 noun /təˈlɛfəni/

telephony

Meaning
the technology and systems for transmitting voice over distances by telephone
Example
Modern telephony has evolved to include internet-based calls.
B2 noun ˈθrɛʃhəʊld

threshold

Meaning
A point of entry or beginning; the magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction to occur.
Example
Once the threshold for pest population is reached, measures must be taken.
B1 preposition /θruːˈaʊt/

throughout

Meaning
in every part of a place or during the whole time of an event
Example
She worked throughout the night.
C1 noun /təˈlɛpəθi/

telepathy

Meaning
the supposed communication of thoughts or ideas by means other than the known senses
Example
The twins claimed to share telepathy with each other.
A1 noun /taʊn/

town

Meaning
a human settlement smaller than a city
Example
The town was quiet on Sundays.
A1 noun /ˈtɪkɪt/

ticket

Meaning
a small piece of paper or card that gives the holder a right to access a service or event
Example
He bought a ticket to the concert.
B2 noun /ˈtɜːrkwɔɪz/

turquoise

Meaning
a greenish-blue color or gemstone
Example
She wore a necklace with a beautiful turquoise stone.
C1 noun /ˈtiːdiəm/

tedium

Meaning
the state of being tedious; monotony or boredom
Example
The tedium of long meetings often drains motivation.
B1 adjective /θrɪld/

thrilled

Meaning
extremely happy or excited
Example
She was thrilled with the surprise party.
B2 verb /ˈtɛmpər/

temper

Meaning
to moderate, soften, or tone down something; also to strengthen by heat treatment (as in metal).
Example
She tried to temper her criticism with kindness.
B1 noun /θroʊt/

Throat

Meaning
the passage that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach and lungs; the front part of the neck
Example
He had a sore throat and couldn't speak clearly.
C1 adjective /ˈtrɛtʃərəs/

treacherous

Meaning
Dangerously unstable or deceptive; likely to betray trust.
Example
The treacherous road made driving difficult.
B1 noun /ˈtɪʃ.uː/

tissue

Meaning
a piece of soft absorbent paper or fabric
Example
She used a tissue to wipe her nose.
C1 noun ˌtraɪ.bjuˈnæl əv ˈdʒʌs.tɪs

tribunal of justice

Meaning
A court of justice or judicial body that settles disputes or tries offenses.
Example
The Tribunal of Justice started the hearings promptly.
B2 adjective /ˈteɪst.fəl/

Tasteful

Meaning
showing good judgment in matters of style and beauty
Example
She decorated her home in a very tasteful manner.
C1 verb /tiːm/

teem

Meaning
to be full of or swarming with
Example
The forest teems with wildlife.
A2 adjective /ˈθɜːr.sti/

Thirsty

Meaning
feeling a need to drink; having a strong desire for something
Example
I am very thirsty after running in the heat.
C2 noun /trænsˈluːsəns/

translucence

Meaning
the quality of allowing light to pass through but not detailed shapes
Example
The translucence of the curtains filled the room with soft light.
A2 noun /tɛkst/

text

Meaning
a written or printed work or passage, especially a book or document
Example
The teacher asked us to read the text on page 50.
B1 adverb /ˈtɛmpərɛrɪli/

temporarily

Meaning
for a limited time; not permanently
Example
The road is closed temporarily for repairs.
B1 adverb /ˈtɪpɪkli/

typically

Meaning
in a way that is typical of a particular person, thing, or group
Example
She typically arrives at work at 9 AM.
C2 adjective /ˈtɔːrpɪd/

torpid

Meaning
Mentally or physically inactive; sluggish or lethargic.
Example
After the long hike, he felt torpid and unmotivated.
C1 noun /ˈtem.pɪst/

Tempest

Meaning
a violent storm with strong winds; a state of great disturbance or tumult
Example
The sailors struggled to navigate through the fierce tempest.
B2 adjective /trɔːˈmætɪk/

traumatic

Meaning
Deeply distressing or disturbing, often related to emotional or physical injury.
Example
The accident was a traumatic experience for the entire family.
B1 noun, adjective, verb /tɛns/

tense

Meaning
a grammatical category showing time reference; stretched tight or anxious
Example
She felt tense before the interview.
B2 verb /ˈtrɪɡər/

trigger

Meaning
To cause something to happen or start, often suddenly.
Example
The loud noise triggered the alarm system.
A2 noun /tʌŋ/

Tongue

Meaning
the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, speaking, and swallowing; a language
Example
The doctor asked him to stick out his tongue for examination.
A2 adjective /ˈteɪ.sti/

Tasty

Meaning
having a pleasant flavor; delicious
Example
The pizza was really tasty with fresh ingredients.
C1 noun /ˈtraɪæd/

triad

Meaning
a group of three closely related people or things
Example
The project was managed by a triad of experts.
C2 verb /trænsˈfɪɡjʊər/

transfigure

Meaning
To transform the outward appearance or form, often in a way that elevates or glorifies.
Example
The artist managed to transfigure simple clay into a beautiful sculpture.
B2 noun /ˈθiːsɪs/

thesis

Meaning
A long piece of writing on a particular subject, usually for a degree at a university.
Example
She spent two years writing her doctoral thesis.
C1 adjective /taɪˈtænɪk/

titanic

Meaning
Of exceptional strength, size, or power.
Example
The company made titanic efforts to expand into new markets.
B2 noun /ˈtes.tɪ.moʊ.ni/

Testimony

Meaning
a formal written or spoken statement given in a court of law; evidence or proof
Example
The witness gave compelling testimony during the trial.
B2 verb ˈtrænsfɔːrm

transform

Meaning
To change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
Example
Volunteering can transform lives and communities.
C1 noun /ˈten.jər/

Tenure

Meaning
the period of time during which someone holds an office or position
Example
During his tenure as CEO, the company expanded globally.
B2 noun /ˈtɜːr.nɪp/

Turnip

Meaning
a round root vegetable with white or purple skin and white flesh
Example
We grew turnips in our vegetable garden.
C2 adverb /ˌðeərˈwɪð/

Therewith

Meaning
together with that; in addition to that
Example
He handed me the contract and the pen therewith.
C1 noun /tækˈtɪʃ.ən/

tactician

Meaning
a person who is skilled at planning and achieving goals, especially in military or business
Example
Napoleon was a brilliant tactician.
B2 noun /tɪˈlɑpiə fɪʃ/

Tilapia fish

Meaning
a freshwater fish native to Africa, widely farmed for food due to its mild taste and fast growth
Example
Tilapia fish is one of the most commonly farmed fish species worldwide.
C1 noun /ˈtwɪstər/

twister

Meaning
A tornado or something that twists; also refers to a challenging tongue twister.
Example
The twister destroyed several houses in the village.
C2 verb /ˈtrʌŋkeɪt/

truncate

Meaning
to shorten something by cutting off the top or the end
Example
The article was truncated to fit the limited space.
C2 noun /traɪˈʌmvɪər/

triumvir

Meaning
One of a group of three men holding power in ancient Rome.
Example
Caesar was a triumvir in the first Roman triumvirate.
C2 noun /ˈtælən/

talon

Meaning
A claw, especially one belonging to a bird of prey.
Example
The eagle gripped the fish with its sharp talons.
B1 noun tɪk mɑːrk

tick mark

Meaning
A mark (✓) used to indicate that something is correct or has been chosen, checked, or dealt with.
Example
I put a tick mark on all the completed tasks.
C1 adjective /tɪˈrænɪkəl/

tyrannical

Meaning
exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way
Example
The tyrannical ruler silenced all opposition.
A1 noun /θɪŋ/

thing

Meaning
an object, idea, or matter that is being referred to or dealt with
Example
This is the thing I was looking for.
B2 noun /ˈteɪ.lər/

Tailor

Meaning
a person whose job is making and altering clothes
Example
The tailor measured him for a new suit.
A1 pronoun /ðeɪ/

they

Meaning
used to refer to people or things previously mentioned or easily identified
Example
They are going to the park.
B1 verb /træk/

track

Meaning
To follow or trace the course or progress of something.
Example
Someone can easily track your location on social media.
C1 noun /ˈtraɪ.pɒd/

tripod

Meaning
A three-legged stand used to support a camera, telescope, or other object.
Example
The photographer set up his camera on a tripod.
B2 verb /ˈtɛstəfaɪ/

testify

Meaning
to make a statement or declaration under oath or to give evidence
Example
She was called to testify in court about the accident.
C1 noun /trænsˈfɜːrər/

transferrer

Meaning
A person who transfers something, such as property, rights, or responsibilities, to another.
Example
The transferrer is responsible for ensuring the property is legally passed on.
B2 noun trænˈspær.ən.si

transparency

Meaning
The quality of being easy to perceive or detect; openness, accountability, and honesty in governance or operations.
Example
Transparency fosters trust in governance.
C1 noun /tækˈsɒnəmi/

taxonomy

Meaning
The science or practice of classifying things, especially organisms.
Example
Modern taxonomy helps scientists organize and study biodiversity.
C2 adjective /ˈtrʌk.jʊ.lənt/

truculent

Meaning
Eager or quick to argue, fight, or show aggression.
Example
She became truculent when her ideas were challenged.
C2 adjective /tɒnˈsɔːriəl/

tonsorial

Meaning
relating to barbers or hairdressing
Example
The town's new barber offered a wide range of tonsorial services.
B2 verb /tæn/

tan

Meaning
to make skin or a hide brown by exposure to the sun or by using chemicals
Example
She tanned her skin after spending the summer at the beach.
B1 verb /taɪmd/

timed

Meaning
to measure or record the duration or speed of something
Example
He timed the race with a stopwatch.
B2 adverb /ˈtaɪtli/

Tightly

Meaning
in a tight manner; firmly; securely
Example
Hold the rope tightly so you don't fall.
C1 adjective /ˈtʌf.tɪd/

Tufted

Meaning
having a tuft or tufts; furnished with a tuft or clump of threads, hairs, or other material
Example
The tufted sofa looked elegant in the living room.
A2 adjective /ˈtaɪ.di/

Tidy

Meaning
arranged neatly and in order; clean and organized
Example
She keeps her room very tidy and organized.
C2 noun /ˈtrɪmnəs/

trimness

Meaning
the quality of being neat, orderly, or slender and well-proportioned
Example
Her room’s trimness reflected a habit of putting everything back in its place.
B1 noun /ˈtreɪ.dər/

Trader

Meaning
a person who buys and sells goods or financial securities for profit
Example
The trader made a good profit from selling imported goods.
B2 adjective /teɪm/

Tame

Meaning
domesticated and not wild; gentle and easy to control
Example
The tame lion performed tricks in the circus.
A2 noun /treɪ/

Tray

Meaning
a flat, shallow container with a raised rim, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles
Example
She carried the cups on a wooden tray.
A2 preposition /tɔːrdz/

towards

Meaning
in the direction of
Example
He is running towards the park.
C2 noun /tɑːrn/

tarn

Meaning
A small mountain lake or pool.
Example
We camped near a tranquil tarn in the highlands.
C1 verb trænˈsɛnd

transcend

Meaning
To go beyond the limits of something; to surpass or exceed
Example
His effort to transcend traditional methods was commendable.
C2 noun/adjective /ˈtraɪkʌlər/

tricolor

Meaning
A flag with three colors; consisting of three colors.
Example
The French tricolor is one of the most famous national flags in the world.
C1 noun /ˈtoʊɡə/

toga

Meaning
A loose outer garment worn in ancient Rome, typically draped over the shoulders and body.
Example
The senator wore a white toga during the ceremony.
A1 verb /θæŋk/

Thank

Meaning
to express gratitude or appreciation to someone
Example
She thanked her teacher for the extra help.