troubled
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B1 adjective /ˈtrʌbəld/

troubled

Meaning
experiencing or showing distress, anxiety, or worry
Example
He looked deeply troubled after hearing the bad news.
B2 noun /ˈbænər/

banner

Meaning
a large printed sign used for advertisements or announcements
Example
The company displayed a banner to advertise their new product.
B1 adjective /ˈpɜːrmənənt/

Permanent

Meaning
lasting; unchanging; enduring
Example
The tattoo is a permanent mark on his skin.
A1 verb /wɜːrk/

work

Meaning
to perform tasks or duties to earn money or achieve goals
Example
He works as a teacher at the local school.
C1 verb /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəlaɪz/

institutionalize

Meaning
to establish something as a formal institution, custom, or practice
Example
The government seeks to institutionalize environmental protection.
B1 noun /rɪˈɡret/

Regret

Meaning
a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened or been done
Example
She felt deep regret about her harsh words.
C1 noun /ˌiː.kwɪˈlɪb.ri.əm/

equilibrium

Meaning
A state of physical balance or stability in physical, mental, or economic conditions.
Example
The market reached an equilibrium between supply and demand.
C1 verb /bɪˈstoʊ/

bestow

Meaning
To give or present something as a gift or honor.
Example
The king bestowed honors upon the brave soldiers.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈskruːtəbl̩/

inscrutable

Meaning
impossible to understand or interpret
Example
His inscrutable expression made it hard to know what he was thinking.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈklɪər/

unclear

Meaning
not easy to understand; vague or ambiguous
Example
The instructions were unclear, so I asked for clarification.
A2 noun /ˈpleɪər/

player

Meaning
a person who participates in a game or sport
Example
The player scored the winning goal.
C2 noun /ˌtɛliˈɒlədʒi/

teleology

Meaning
the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by cause
Example
Aristotle is often associated with the concept of teleology in philosophy.
B1 adjective /ɪkˈstrɔːr.dɪ.nər.i/

Extraordinary

Meaning
very unusual; remarkable; going beyond what is normal or expected
Example
The magician's performance was extraordinary and left everyone amazed.
C2 noun /ˈbɑːr.nɪ.kəl/

Barnacle

Meaning
a marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to underwater surfaces
Example
The old ship's hull was covered with barnacles.
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.
B2 verb /klæʃ/

clash

Meaning
to come into conflict or collision with something or someone.
Example
The two cars clashed in the intersection.
C2 noun /ˈoʊvərlɔːrd/

overlord

Meaning
A ruler, master, or person of great power and authority over others.
Example
The peasants were forced to pay taxes to their overlord.
B2 verb /əˈpoʊz/

oppose

Meaning
to disagree with or resist; to act against
Example
Many citizens oppose the new tax policy.
A2 noun /ˈlev.əl/

level

Meaning
A position on a real or imaginary scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.
Example
Pollution levels must be reduced urgently.
B1 adjective /əˈfɔːdəbl/

affordable

Meaning
inexpensive and within one's financial means
Example
This restaurant offers affordable meals for families.
B1 noun /ˈsʌn.raɪz/

Sunrise

Meaning
the time in the morning when the sun appears above the horizon
Example
We watched the beautiful sunrise from the mountain top.
C1 adjective /ˈfjuː.dəl/

feudal

Meaning
relating to the system of feudalism, a medieval social system based on land ownership and obligations
Example
The castle is a remnant of the feudal era.
C1 adjective /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtən/

cosmopolitan

Meaning
familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
Example
He has a cosmopolitan outlook due to his extensive travels.
C1 verb /ˈstaɪmi/

stymie

Meaning
to prevent or hinder the progress of something
Example
The new regulations could stymie small businesses.
C1 noun dəˌmɛstɪˈkeɪʃən

domestication

Meaning
The process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or for farm produce.
Example
Domestication of animals has been crucial for human survival.
C1 noun /ˈkæviˌæt/

caveat

Meaning
a warning or condition to be considered before taking action
Example
The proposal was accepted with one caveat.
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.
C1 verb /ɪˈdʒektɪd/

ejected

Meaning
to force someone or something to leave a place; to push or throw something out forcefully
Example
The pilot was ejected from the aircraft during the emergency.
B2 noun/verb /kjuː/

cue

Meaning
A signal or prompt for action; to give a signal.
Example
The actor waited for his cue before entering the stage.
B1 adjective /ʌnˈnesəseri/

Unnecessary

Meaning
not needed; not required; pointless
Example
The meeting was unnecessary since all decisions were already made.
B2 verb /suː/

sue

Meaning
to bring a lawsuit against someone in a court of law
Example
She decided to sue the company for damages.
C1 verb /skʌf/

scuff

Meaning
to mark or scratch the surface of something by rubbing
Example
He scuffed his shoes on the pavement.
C1 adverb /ˈhed ɑn/

Head-on

Meaning
directly facing; in direct confrontation or collision
Example
The two cars collided head-on at the intersection.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈplɔːzəbl/

implausible

Meaning
Not seeming reasonable or probable; unlikely to be true.
Example
The story she told was so implausible that no one believed her.
B2 verb /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/

indulge

Meaning
to allow oneself to enjoy something enjoyable, often excessively
Example
He indulged in a piece of chocolate cake after dinner.
A1 determiner/pronoun /ˈɛni/

any

Meaning
one, some, or all, without specifying which
Example
Do you have any questions?
B2 adjective /rɪˈliːvd/

relieved

Meaning
feeling happy and less worried after something stressful has been removed or resolved
Example
She felt relieved after hearing the good news.
C2 noun /kænˈtɑː.tə/

cantata

Meaning
A vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir.
Example
The choir performed a beautiful cantata during the festival.
C2 noun /ˌpliːnɪpəˈtɛnʃəri/

plenipotentiary

Meaning
a person invested with full power to act on behalf of another, especially in diplomacy
Example
The ambassador was a plenipotentiary sent to negotiate the treaty.
B2 noun /kəˈmɪʃənər/

commissioner

Meaning
an official in charge of a particular department or area
Example
The police commissioner addressed the media about the incident.
B2 verb /əbˈzɔːrb/

absorb

Meaning
to take in or soak up a liquid, energy, or information
Example
The sponge absorbed all the water.
B2 noun ˈəʊ.və.hed

overhead

Meaning
Ongoing business expenses not directly attributable to creating a product or service.
Example
The company reduced its overhead to increase profits.
A1 verb /lɜːrn/

learn

Meaning
to acquire knowledge or skills; to gain understanding
Example
Children learn quickly when they are interested.
C2 noun /ˈmɒnəkl/

monocle

Meaning
A single round lens for one eye, used to correct or enhance vision.
Example
The old gentleman wore a monocle at formal events.
B2 verb /ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv/

misbehave

Meaning
to behave badly or inappropriately; to act in an unacceptable way
Example
The children misbehaved during the school assembly.
C2 noun /ˈpɑːr.kə.tri/

parquetry

Meaning
The art or technique of laying parquet floors.
Example
The craftsman specialized in parquetry for luxury homes.
A2 noun /ˈhʌni/

Honey

Meaning
a sweet, sticky substance made by bees from flower nectar
Example
I like to add honey to my tea.
B2 noun /ˈrɛfjuːdʒ/

refuge

Meaning
a place that provides shelter or protection from danger or distress
Example
The villagers took refuge in the temple during the storm.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəs/

ingenuous

Meaning
Innocent, naive, and unsuspecting; showing childlike simplicity and sincerity.
Example
Her ingenuous smile revealed her genuine kindness.
C1 noun /ˈdɛdlɒk/

deadlock

Meaning
a situation in which progress is impossible because of disagreement
Example
Negotiations reached a deadlock after neither side agreed to compromise.
B2 adjective /ɪkˈstɪr.i.ər/

Exterior

Meaning
relating to the outside part or surface of something; outer
Example
The exterior of the building was painted in bright colors.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛkəbl/

peccable

Meaning
liable to sin or error; capable of doing wrong
Example
Humans are peccable, but they strive for goodness.
B1 noun /ˈtʌnəl/

tunnel

Meaning
an underground passage or shaft
Example
They dug a tunnel under the river.
A1 verb, noun /kraɪ/

cry

Meaning
To shed tears as an expression of emotion such as sadness or pain; also a loud call or shout.
Example
The baby began to cry when she was hungry.
C2 noun /ˈsɪnjuː/

sinew

Meaning
A tendon; figuratively, the source of strength, power, or resilience.
Example
The sinews in his arms stood out as he lifted the heavy box.
C2 adjective /ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl/

antithetical

Meaning
Directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.
Example
His views were antithetical to the values of the organization.
A1 adverb /əˈweɪ/

Away

Meaning
to or at a distance; not present; absent
Example
He walked away from the noisy crowd.
B2 adjective /kəʊˈhɪə.rənt/

coherent

Meaning
Logical and consistent; forming a unified whole; clear and easy to understand.
Example
His speech was clear and coherent.
C1 noun /ˈtʃaɪ.nə.weər/

China-ware

Meaning
dishes, plates, cups, and other tableware made of porcelain or fine ceramic
Example
The expensive china-ware was displayed in the cabinet.
C2 adjective /ˈfæð.əm.ləs/

fathomless

Meaning
impossible to understand or measure; very deep
Example
The ocean seemed fathomless as it stretched to the horizon.
C2 verb /ˈdʒɛn.juˌflɛkt/

genuflect

Meaning
to bend one or both knees as a sign of reverence or worship
Example
The worshippers genuflect before the altar.
C2 noun /roʊˈtʌn.də/

rotunda

Meaning
a large circular building or hall, often with a dome
Example
Tourists gathered inside the grand rotunda of the capitol.
C1 noun /ˈtæm.ər.ɪnd/

Tamarind

Meaning
a brown tropical fruit with a tangy, sour taste used in cooking and beverages
Example
Tamarind is commonly used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines for its sour flavor.
C2 verb /ˈfɛstər/

fester

Meaning
to become worse or more intense, often through neglect or infection
Example
If grievances are ignored, they may fester into resentment.
B2 noun /ˈlaɪ.nər/

liner

Meaning
A large ship used for transporting people or goods regularly, or a material used as a lining inside something.
Example
The luxury liner docked at the port yesterday.
A2 verb /kəˈlɛkt/

collect

Meaning
to gather together; to accumulate items
Example
I collect stamps as a hobby.
B2 noun /ˈkʌt.lət/

Cutlet

Meaning
a small piece of meat, especially veal or lamb, for frying or grilling
Example
She served delicious chicken cutlets for dinner.
C2 noun /ˈdɛvɪltrɪ/

deviltry

Meaning
Cruel or malicious behavior; mischief with an evil aspect.
Example
The villain’s deviltry terrified the townsfolk.
C1 noun /ˈstɪɡmə/

stigma

Meaning
a mark of shame or disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
Example
There is still a stigma around mental health issues in many societies.
C2 noun /ˈzaɪtɡaɪst/

zeitgeist

Meaning
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
Example
The novel perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 1960s.
B2 verb /dwel/

dwell

Meaning
to live in a place; to think about something for a long time
Example
They dwell in a small cottage by the lake.
C1 verb /mæʃ/

mash

Meaning
to crush or mix food into a soft mass, usually by pressing or beating
Example
She mashed the potatoes before serving dinner.
C2 adverb /ˈaɪsɪli/

icily

Meaning
In a very cold, unfriendly, or hostile manner.
Example
She replied icily to his question.
B2 verb /rɪˈliːv/

relieve

Meaning
to make pain, distress, or difficulty less severe or serious
Example
The medicine helped relieve his headache.
C1 adjective /ˈsek.j ə.l ər/

Secular

Meaning
not connected with religious or spiritual matters; worldly
Example
The country maintains a secular government that separates religion from politics.
C1 adjective /ˈpɑːr.dən.ə.bəl/

Pardonable

Meaning
able to be forgiven; excusable
Example
His mistake was pardonable given the difficult circumstances.
B2 verb /kənˈfɔːrm/

conform

Meaning
To comply with rules, standards, or laws.
Example
Students must conform to the school regulations.
C2 noun /ˈlaɪtoʊtiːz/

litotes

Meaning
a figure of speech in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary
Example
Saying 'not bad' as a compliment is an example of litotes.
C2 noun /kɒɡˈnoʊmən/

cognomen

Meaning
A family name or surname; an additional name or nickname.
Example
His cognomen became widely known in literary circles.
B2 noun /ˌdɪs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Disability

Meaning
a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities
Example
Despite his physical disability, he became a successful athlete in wheelchair racing.
C1 adjective /ˈsaɪt.ləs/

Sightless

Meaning
unable to see; blind; lacking vision
Example
The sightless man navigated the street with his guide dog.
C1 adjective ˈmer.ɪt beɪst

merit-based

Meaning
Based on or determined by individual merit, ability, or achievement rather than other factors.
Example
Merit-based recruitment strengthens the workforce.
B2 noun /ˈmʌð.ər.lænd/

Motherland

Meaning
the country where one was born or has citizenship; homeland
Example
He always spoke fondly of his motherland.
A2 adjective /ˈpaʊə.fəl/

powerful

Meaning
Having great power or strength.
Example
The James Webb Telescope is the most powerful space observatory.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒs.ɪ.tɪd/

cosseted

Meaning
pampered, treated with excessive care and attention
Example
The cosseted child always got what he wanted.
A2 noun /ˈɡroʊ.sər.i/

grocery

Meaning
A store that sells food and household supplies.
Example
She went to the grocery to buy vegetables.
C1 noun, verb /buːz/

booze

Meaning
alcoholic drink, especially strong liquor; to drink alcohol, often excessively
Example
They bought some booze for the party.
B2 verb /ˈbraɪtən/

brighten

Meaning
to make something lighter or more colorful; to improve mood or make happier
Example
A few kind words can brighten someone's day.
C2 adjective /ˈpeɪli/

paly

Meaning
striped with different colors, usually used in heraldry
Example
The knight’s shield was decorated with paly stripes of red and gold.
A2 noun, verb /kɒf/

cough

Meaning
a sudden noisy release of air from the lungs to clear the throat or airway; to expel air suddenly from the lungs with a cough
Example
He has a bad cough and stayed home today.
B2 adjective /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/

overwhelming

Meaning
Very intense; overpowering.
Example
Large tasks can feel overwhelming.
A2 verb /bɪˈlɒŋ/

belong

Meaning
to be in the right place or to be a member of a group
Example
She felt she truly belonged to the team.
B2 noun ˌɡloʊ.bəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən

globalization

Meaning
The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
Example
Globalization has connected economies across the world.
C2 noun /ˈdʒæk.dɔː/

Jack-daw

Meaning
a small gray and black bird of the crow family, known for its intelligence
Example
The jackdaw collected shiny objects for its nest.
B2 adjective /ˈlɔɪ.əl/

Loyal

Meaning
faithful; devoted; trustworthy
Example
He remained loyal to his friends through difficult times.
C1 noun ˈmiːdiə ˈdɒmɪnəns

media dominance

Meaning
The control and powerful influence that media has over communication and information distribution in society.
Example
The internet has enhanced media dominance globally.
B1 noun /ˈhaʊshoʊld/

household

Meaning
All the people living together in one house, considered as a unit.
Example
There are five people in our household.
C1 adjective /ˈlɑːpˌsaɪdɪd/

lopsided

Meaning
with one side lower, larger, or different from the other; uneven or imbalanced
Example
The cake looked lopsided after being decorated in a hurry.
B2 noun ɑːmd ˈkɒn.flɪkt

armed conflict

Meaning
A contest of armed forces; warfare between opposing military forces.
Example
Armed conflict resulted in widespread devastation.
C1 noun /ˈpʊlpɪt/

pulpit

Meaning
a raised platform in a church from which the preacher delivers a sermon
Example
The pastor stood at the pulpit to address the congregation.
C1 noun /kəmˈprɛʃn̩/

compression

Meaning
The act of pressing or squeezing something into a smaller space.
Example
File compression helps reduce storage requirements.
B2 adjective /ˈɛθnɪk/

ethnic

Meaning
relating to a population subgroup with a common national or cultural tradition
Example
The festival celebrated the city's diverse ethnic communities.
C2 noun /ˈɪn.fɪ.del/

Infidel

Meaning
a person who does not believe in religion or whose religious beliefs differ from one's own
Example
In historical contexts, crusaders often referred to their enemies as infidels.
C1 noun ˌsætʃəˈreɪʃən

saturation

Meaning
The state of being saturated; the degree or extent to which something is dissolved or absorbed
Example
The saturation of the market with similar products reduced sales.
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.
C1 noun /ˈtræpɪŋz/

trappings

Meaning
the outward signs, features, or objects associated with a role, event, or status
Example
The king appeared with all the trappings of royalty.
C1 adjective /kɔɪ/

coy

Meaning
reluctant to give details or reveal feelings; shy or reserved
Example
She gave a coy smile when asked about her plans.
A2 adjective /ˈflaɪɪŋ/

flying

Meaning
able to move through the air; related to flight or aircraft
Example
The flying bird disappeared into the clouds.
C2 verb /ˈpælieɪt/

palliate

Meaning
to make a disease, symptoms, or problem less severe without removing the cause
Example
The doctor prescribed medicine to palliate the patient's pain.
C1 noun /ˈpleɪˌraɪt/

playwright

Meaning
a person who writes plays
Example
Shakespeare is considered the greatest playwright of all time.
C1 noun /rɪˈliːf treɪn/

Relief Train

Meaning
a train that carries emergency supplies and aid to disaster-affected areas
Example
The relief train arrived with food and medical supplies for the flood victims.
B1 noun freɪm

Frame

Meaning
A rigid structure that surrounds something such as a picture, door, or windowpane.
Example
A framed family tree can be displayed in your home.
C2 adjective /ˌɪn.trəˈmjʊə.rəl/

intramural

Meaning
Occurring within the walls of a single institution, especially a school or college.
Example
The college organizes intramural sports competitions every semester.
B2 noun /ˈfɔːrəm/

forum

Meaning
A place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views can be exchanged.
Example
The online forum allows people to discuss a wide range of topics.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈtræk.tə.bəl/

intractable

Meaning
Difficult or impossible to manage, control, or solve.
Example
The conflict has become an intractable problem.
B1 adverb /ˈfeər.li/

Fairly

Meaning
in a just manner; moderately; reasonably
Example
The test was fairly easy, but some questions were challenging.
C2 adjective /ɪˈræsɪbl/

irascible

Meaning
Easily angered; quick-tempered.
Example
His irascible nature often got him into trouble.
C1 adjective rɪˈlɛntləs

relentless

Meaning
Oppressively constant; incessant; showing no abatement of severity, intensity, strength, or pace.
Example
The freedom fighters' relentless struggle led to victory.
C1 adjective /kənˈtɪɡ.ju.əs/

contiguous

Meaning
sharing a common border; touching
Example
The two continguous houses shared a wall.
B2 noun dɪˈplɔɪmənt

deployment

Meaning
The action of bringing resources into effective action.
Example
The deployment of the new software was completed successfully.
C1 noun /ˌtrɛpɪˈdeɪʃən/

trepidation

Meaning
a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen
Example
She opened the letter with some trepidation.