underman
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C2 verb /ˈʌndərˌmæn/

underman

Meaning
to supply with fewer workers or personnel than needed
Example
The hospital was undermanned during the flu outbreak.
B2 adjective /ˈkɒn.trər.i/

Contrary

Meaning
opposite in nature, direction, or meaning; completely different
Example
Contrary to popular belief, cats can be very social animals.
B2 noun /əˈbjuːs/

Abuse

Meaning
cruel and violent treatment; improper use of something
Example
The abuse of power led to his resignation.
C1 verb /ˈɛkskəˌveɪt/

excavate

Meaning
to dig out or remove earth carefully, often for building or archaeological purposes
Example
The workers excavated the site to prepare for construction.
C2 verb /ɪˈnjʊər/

inure

Meaning
To become accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant.
Example
Soldiers quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.
C2 noun /ˌhaɪdroʊˈfoʊbiə/

hydrophobia

Meaning
Extreme or irrational fear of water; historically, another name for rabies.
Example
After being bitten by a stray dog, the man was treated for hydrophobia.
B2 noun /ˈwɔːl.nʌt/

Walnut

Meaning
an edible nut with a hard shell and a wrinkled appearance
Example
I love to eat walnuts with honey for breakfast.
C2 noun /ˌɪnvəˈluːʃən/

involution

Meaning
a complicated or intricate form or state; in biology, the shrinking of an organ after its function has finished
Example
The story was full of involution, making it hard to follow.
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.
B1 verb /ɪkˈspænd/

expand

Meaning
To increase in size, number, or importance.
Example
The company plans to expand its operations into new markets.
C1 verb /ɡoʊd/

goad

Meaning
to provoke, annoy, or urge someone to take action
Example
He tried to goad his opponent into making a mistake.
C1 noun /ˈlʌləˌbaɪ/

lullaby

Meaning
a soothing song sung to help a child fall asleep
Example
She sang a lullaby to her baby every night.
C2 noun /sɪˈnɛrəsɪs/

syneresis

Meaning
The contraction of two adjacent vowels into a single syllable or the separation of liquid from a gel.
Example
The yogurt showed syneresis when liquid separated on top.
C1 noun /ˈpɜːrɡəˌtɔːri/

purgatory

Meaning
A place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven; a temporary condition of torment or suffering.
Example
After the accident, the long recovery felt like a kind of purgatory.
C1 verb /kriːk/

creak

Meaning
to make a high-pitched, squeaking noise when moved
Example
The old door creaked as she opened it.
C2 verb /ˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

furbish

Meaning
to polish, renovate, or give a fresh look to something
Example
The workers furbished the old sword until it gleamed like new.
B2 noun /rɪˈfjuː.zəl/

Refusal

Meaning
the act of saying no to something or not accepting something
Example
His refusal to cooperate made the project more difficult.
C2 adjective /ˈfædɪʃ/

faddish

Meaning
Following a temporary trend or fashion
Example
Wearing neon clothes was a faddish style in the 1980s.
B2 noun /ˈdʒɜːr.nəl/

Journal

Meaning
a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject; a daily record of events
Example
She kept a personal journal to record her thoughts and experiences.
B2 noun, verb /ˌɪnkənˈviːniəns/

inconvenience

Meaning
trouble or difficulty caused to someone; to cause trouble or difficulty to someone
Example
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delay.
C2 adjective /ˌɪnsəˈluːbriəs/

insalubrious

Meaning
Unhealthy or not conducive to well-being.
Example
They moved out of the insalubrious neighborhood for the sake of their health.
C2 adjective /ˈnjuːmɪnəs/

numinous

Meaning
having a strong spiritual or mysterious quality
Example
The temple had a numinous atmosphere that inspired awe.
C1 adjective /hjuːˈmeɪn/

humane

Meaning
Showing compassion or benevolence.
Example
The doctor provided humane treatment to the injured animals.
C2 adjective /ˌʌltrəˈmʌndeɪn/

ultramundane

Meaning
Relating to things beyond the physical world; supernatural or transcendental.
Example
Philosophers often discuss ultramundane realities beyond human perception.
C1 noun /ˌdɪstɪˈleɪʃən/

distillation

Meaning
The process of purifying a liquid by heating and cooling; the extraction of the essential meaning.
Example
Distillation is commonly used to produce alcoholic beverages.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈkʌmf.tə.bəl/

Uncomfortable

Meaning
causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort; making someone feel embarrassed, awkward, or anxious
Example
The chair was so uncomfortable that I couldn't sit in it for more than ten minutes.
C1 verb /bɪˈsɛt/

beset

Meaning
to trouble, harass, or attack on all sides
Example
The village was beset by constant floods.
B2 adjective /rɪˈstrɪk.tɪd/

Restricted

Meaning
limited or controlled; subject to restrictions
Example
Access to this area is restricted to authorized personnel only.
B2 noun /səˈvaɪvl/

survival

Meaning
the state of continuing to live or exist, typically in difficult conditions
Example
Survival in the wild can be a challenging experience.
B1 noun /ˈdɛkeɪd/

decade

Meaning
A period of ten years.
Example
The country has changed a lot in the past decade.
C2 noun /məˈbɒkrəsi/

mobocracy

Meaning
Rule or control by a mob or mass of people, often disorderly.
Example
The protest turned into mobocracy when the crowd started destroying property.
A2 noun ˌedʒ.ʊˈkeɪ.ʃən

education

Meaning
The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
Example
Quality education is key to progress.
C1 adjective /ˈʃɪp.ʃeɪp/

Shipshape

Meaning
neat and tidy; in good order; well-organized
Example
Everything was shipshape before the inspection.
C1 noun ˌʌndərˈprɪvəlɪdʒd ɡruːps

underprivileged groups

Meaning
Groups of people who lack basic necessities or advantages that are available to other members of society.
Example
Underprivileged groups benefit from social initiatives.
C1 noun /ˈmɛrɪɡoʊld/

Marigold

Meaning
a bright orange or yellow flower of the daisy family, often used in gardens and ceremonies
Example
The vibrant marigold flowers added a splash of color to the festival decorations.
C1 noun mælˈnʌr.ɪʃ.mənt

malnourishment

Meaning
Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.
Example
Children in poverty-stricken areas suffer from malnourishment.
B2 verb /dɪsˈkloʊz/

disclose

Meaning
to reveal or make information known; to expose
Example
The company must disclose all financial information.
C1 verb /ɪnˈtrɛntʃ/

entrench

Meaning
To establish something so firmly that it is difficult to change.
Example
The company entrenched its position in the market through innovation.
C2 verb /ˈproʊtjuːbəreɪt/

protuberate

Meaning
To swell out or bulge.
Example
The roots began to protuberate from the ground.
C2 noun /ˈæpəfθɛm/

apophthegm

Meaning
A short, pithy, and instructive saying or maxim.
Example
She always had a witty apophthegm to share at meetings.
A1 pronoun /ðiːz/

these

Meaning
used to refer to things or people that are near or present
Example
These are my friends.
A2 adjective ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl

physical

Meaning
Relating to things perceived through the senses as opposed to the mind; tangible or concrete.
Example
Physical components form the system's base.
B2 noun /ˈkiːɒsk/

kiosk

Meaning
A small, open-fronted hut or cubicle from which newspapers, refreshments, tickets, etc., are sold.
Example
She bought a bottle of water from the kiosk near the station.
C1 adjective /ˈbreɪzən/

brazen

Meaning
Bold and without shame; shameless.
Example
She made a brazen attempt to lie in front of everyone.
C1 noun ˈsʌfrɪdʒ

suffrage

Meaning
The right to vote in political elections; the principle of political representation.
Example
Universal suffrage was a key demand.
C1 adjective ˈɒb.stɪ.nət

obstinate

Meaning
Refusing to change one's mind or accept others' advice easily.
Example
He remained obstinate despite the logical arguments.
C1 noun /ɪmˌpɜː.sənˈeɪ.ʃən/

impersonation

Meaning
The action of pretending to be another person for the purpose of entertainment or fraud.
Example
Online impersonation is a serious cybercrime.
A2 adjective /ˈpeɪ.ʃənt/

Patient

Meaning
able to wait calmly; tolerant
Example
She was very patient with her young students.
A2 adjective ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl

international

Meaning
Existing, occurring, or carried on between two or more nations and their citizens.
Example
International standards improve competitiveness.
C2 noun /ˈkedʒ.ə.riː/

Kedgeree

Meaning
a European dish of cooked rice, fish, and hard-boiled eggs, originally from India
Example
The breakfast menu featured traditional kedgeree with smoked haddock and eggs.
C2 verb /ˈmɔːrtɪfaɪ/

mortify

Meaning
to cause someone to feel great embarrassment or shame
Example
She was mortified when she tripped on stage.
C2 adjective /ˈɛrənt/

errant

Meaning
behaving wrongly or straying from the proper course or standards
Example
The teacher disciplined the errant student.
C2 noun /nuːt/

Newt

Meaning
a small amphibian with a long tail that lives both in water and on land
Example
The newt swam gracefully in the pond.
B2 noun /ˈet.ɪ.kət/

Etiquette

Meaning
the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession
Example
Proper etiquette requires standing when a lady enters the room.
C2 noun /ˌɪntərˈsɛsər/

intercessor

Meaning
a person who intervenes or pleads on behalf of another
Example
He acted as an intercessor to resolve the conflict between the two families.
A2 pronoun /nʌn/

none

Meaning
not any; no one; not one
Example
None of the students passed the exam.
C2 verb /ɪnˈskɒns/

ensconce

Meaning
to settle comfortably or securely in a place; to hide or shelter firmly
Example
She ensconced herself in a cozy armchair by the fireplace.
C1 adjective /ˈpraɪ.məl/

primal

Meaning
Relating to the earliest stage of development; essential or fundamental.
Example
Fear is one of the most primal emotions humans experience.
C2 noun /ˈlɑːrsəni/

larceny

Meaning
The unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it.
Example
He was arrested for committing larceny at the store.
B1 adjective /ˈæn.ju.əl/

annual

Meaning
happening once every year
Example
The company holds an annual meeting for all its shareholders.
C2 noun /ˈdɛnɪzən/

denizen

Meaning
an inhabitant or resident of a particular place
Example
The forest is home to many nocturnal denizens.
C1 noun /ɪˌmæn.sɪˈpeɪ.ʃən/

Emancipation

Meaning
the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
Example
The emancipation of slaves was a significant moment in American history.
A1 noun /ˈmʌðər/

mother

Meaning
a female parent
Example
Her mother is a kind and caring person.
C1 noun /mɪkst ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/

mixed economy

Meaning
An economic system where both government and private sector operate together.
Example
Most countries today follow a mixed economy model.
C1 verb /ədˈmɪnɪstreɪt/

administrate

Meaning
to manage or supervise the execution of duties, laws, or resources; to formally give or apply something such as a test or medicine
Example
The committee will administrate the new policy across all departments.
C2 noun /ˈdɪti/

ditty

Meaning
a short, simple song or poem
Example
She sang a cheerful little ditty while cooking.
B2 noun/adjective /ˈmɪnətʃər/ or /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/

miniature

Meaning
a very small version of something; small in scale or size
Example
The artist created a miniature model of the castle.
C1 noun ɪmˈpɛə(r)mənt

impairment

Meaning
The state of being damaged or weakened; a disability or handicap.
Example
Hearing impairment can be caused by long-term exposure to loud noise.
B2 noun /ˌæktɪˈveɪʃən/

activation

Meaning
the act of making something start functioning
Example
The activation of the system took longer than expected.
C1 adjective /ˈɡæsiəs/

gaseous

Meaning
Relating to or having the form of gas.
Example
Carbon dioxide is a gaseous substance.
B2 verb /kəmˈplaɪ/

comply

Meaning
to act in accordance with a rule, request, or law
Example
All companies must comply with safety regulations.
C2 adjective /ˈmiːli ˌmaʊðd/

mealy-mouthed

Meaning
Unwilling to speak directly and honestly; insincere or evasive in speech.
Example
The manager gave a mealy-mouthed excuse instead of admitting the mistake.
B2 noun /ˈjuː.sɪdʒ/

Usage

Meaning
the action of using something; the way in which words are used in a language
Example
The dictionary explains the correct usage of difficult words.
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.
B1 noun /əˈsaɪnmənt/

assignment

Meaning
a task or piece of work given to someone as part of their duties
Example
The students completed their homework assignment on time.
C1 noun/verb /vɔːlt/

vault

Meaning
A secure room for storing valuables; also to leap or spring over something.
Example
The bank kept its gold bars in a secure vault.
A2 adjective /ɡriːk/

greek

Meaning
relating to Greece, its people, or its language
Example
We enjoyed delicious Greek food at the restaurant.
C1 noun /ˈiːɡoʊɪst/

egoist

Meaning
A person who is excessively concerned with themselves; someone who believes in or practices egoism.
Example
She avoided him because he was a selfish egoist.
B2 adjective /ˈmɒdɪst/

modest

Meaning
Having or showing a humble estimate of one’s importance; simple and not extravagant.
Example
She lives in a modest house in the countryside.
C2 noun /ˌɛfləˈrɛsəns/

efflorescence

Meaning
the process of flowering or reaching an optimal stage of development
Example
The garden was at the peak of its efflorescence in spring.
B1 verb /dɪˈlɪvər/

deliver

Meaning
to bring or hand over something to the intended recipient
Example
The courier will deliver the package tomorrow.
B2 preposition /əˈmɪd/

amid

Meaning
in the middle of or surrounded by something
Example
The team stayed calm amid the chaos.
B2 verb /tʌk/

tuck

Meaning
to push or fold something neatly into a particular place
Example
She tucked the blanket around the baby to keep him warm.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈdetɪd/

Indebted

Meaning
owing money or gratitude to someone; obligated; grateful
Example
I am deeply indebted to my teacher for all her guidance.
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 /ˌɡræt.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

gratification

Meaning
Pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire.
Example
The instant gratification of social media affects patience.
C1 adjective /ˈsɛm.ɪ.nəl/

seminal

Meaning
Strongly influencing later developments; highly original and influential.
Example
His seminal book changed the course of modern philosophy.
C1 verb /lætʃ/

latch

Meaning
to fasten or close something with a latch
Example
She latched the door before leaving the house.
B1 noun /kloʊðz ˈaɪərn/

Clothes iron

Meaning
An electric appliance used to remove wrinkles from clothes by applying heat and pressure
Example
I need to use the clothes iron to make my shirt look neat for the meeting.
C1 adjective ɪˈveɪ.sɪv

evasive

Meaning
Tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.
Example
He gave an evasive answer to avoid trouble.
C1 noun /ɪˈklɪps/

Eclipse

Meaning
an obscuring of light from one celestial body by another; a decline or loss
Example
The total solar eclipse darkened the sky for several minutes.
C1 noun /ˈmæk.ər.əl/

Mackerel

Meaning
a streamlined marine fish with a forked tail and wavy stripes
Example
Mackerel is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
C1 verb /ˌriːˈsiːt/

reseat

Meaning
to seat someone again or to fit something back into its place
Example
The usher had to reseat the guests after the interruption.
C1 noun /ˈhɛrəsi/

heresy

Meaning
belief or opinion that goes against established religious doctrine or accepted beliefs.
Example
In medieval times, heresy was often punished severely.
B2 verb /kɜːrb/

curb

Meaning
to restrain, control, or limit something
Example
The government took steps to curb inflation.
C1 noun /ˈnɔː.zi.ə/

Nausea

Meaning
a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit
Example
The motion of the boat caused severe nausea.
C1 noun /ˈstreɪnər/

Strainer

Meaning
a device having holes punched in it or made of crossed wires for separating solid matter from a liquid
Example
Use a strainer to drain the pasta water.
B1 noun /ˈpæsɪdʒ/

passage

Meaning
a narrow way through or between; a section of text or music; the process of moving from one state or place to another
Example
The narrow passage led from the courtyard to the library.
C2 noun /ˌæs.əˈfet.ɪ.də/

Asafoetida

Meaning
a pungent spice derived from the resin of a plant, commonly used in Indian cooking
Example
A pinch of asafoetida adds a distinctive flavor to the lentil curry.
B1 adjective /əˈtætʃt/

attached

Meaning
joined or fastened to something; emotionally connected or fond of someone or something
Example
The file is attached to the email.
C2 verb /ˈbɜːrnɪʃ/

burnish

Meaning
To polish something by rubbing; to enhance or improve.
Example
He burnished the old table until it shone.
C1 verb /aɪˈdiː.ə.laɪz/

idealize

Meaning
To regard or represent something as perfect or better than it really is.
Example
Children often idealize their parents.
C1 adjective /ˈtʃɛkərd/

chequered

Meaning
Having a pattern of squares, or marked by varied and contrasting experiences or periods.
Example
He had a chequered career with both great successes and failures.
C1 adjective /ˈfɜːrtɪv/

furtive

Meaning
Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble.
Example
He cast a furtive glance at the door before leaving.
C1 adjective, noun /ɪnˈdɪkətɪv/

indicative

Meaning
Serving as a sign or expression of something; in grammar, a mood used to make factual statements.
Example
His tone was indicative of his frustration.
A2 adjective /reər/

Rare

Meaning
not occurring very often; uncommon or unusual
Example
It's rare to find such beautiful handmade jewelry these days.
B2 noun /ˈɛseɪ/

essay

Meaning
A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
Example
She wrote an essay about climate change.
A1 adjective /kuːl/

cool

Meaning
moderately cold; calm and composed; fashionable or impressive
Example
She kept a cool head during the crisis.
C1 adjective, adverb (informal, vulgar) /ˈfʌkɪŋ/

fucking

Meaning
used for emphasis, often expressing anger or frustration (vulgar slang)
Example
It was a fucking disaster!
B2 noun /ˈtɜːrbən/

Turban

Meaning
a head covering made by wrapping a long piece of cloth around the head
Example
The Sikh man wore a colorful turban.
B1 adjective /juːˈniːk/

Unique

Meaning
being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
Example
Every snowflake is unique in its pattern.
B2 noun /ˈpæd.i/

Paddy

Meaning
rice in its natural state before processing; a field where rice is grown
Example
The farmers worked hard in the paddy fields during harvest season.
B2 noun, verb /nɜːrv/

nerve

Meaning
A bundle of fibers in the body that transmits signals between the brain and other parts; also courage or audacity.
Example
She gathered the nerve to speak in front of the large audience.
C1 noun /ˈæltoʊ/

alto

Meaning
the second highest adult singing voice, between soprano and tenor
Example
She sang the alto part in the choir beautifully.
A1 noun /saɪd/

side

Meaning
a position to the left or right of something
Example
The store is on the side of the road.
C1 adjective /ɪˈluːsɪv/

elusive

Meaning
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve; hard to understand or define.
Example
The solution to the problem proved elusive.
B2 noun /veɪl/

Veil

Meaning
a piece of fine material worn to protect or conceal the face; something that conceals or disguises
Example
The bride wore a beautiful white veil during the ceremony.
A2 adjective /ˈwʊdən/

wooden

Meaning
made of wood
Example
The house had beautiful wooden floors.
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.
B1 noun /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/

publication

Meaning
the act of making something publicly known or available
Example
The publication of the report sparked a debate.
B2 noun /blæk sneɪk/

Black Snake

Meaning
a snake with dark or black colored skin
Example
The black snake slithered through the grass.