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C1 verb /zæɡ/

zag

Meaning
to make a sharp change in direction, especially in a zigzag pattern
Example
The rabbit zagged quickly to escape the fox.
B1 noun /dɪˈmænd/

Demand

Meaning
an urgent request; the desire of consumers for goods or services
Example
The demand for organic food has increased significantly in recent years.
A2 adjective /mɪˈstɪə.ri.əs/

mysterious

Meaning
Difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify.
Example
The deep sea remains one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
C2 noun /ˈbɛlfri/

belfry

Meaning
A bell tower, especially one attached to a church or building.
Example
The church belfry housed a large bronze bell.
A2 adjective /ʌnˈlʌki/

Unlucky

Meaning
having bad luck; unfortunate
Example
He was unlucky to miss the winning shot.
C2 noun əˌten.juˈeɪ.ʃən

attenuation

Meaning
The reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.
Example
The attenuation of sound waves affects communication.
C1 adjective /ˈriːɡəl/

regal

Meaning
Resembling or fit for a king; majestic or royal.
Example
The queen entered the hall with a regal presence.
C1 noun /diːˌtɒksɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

detoxification

Meaning
The process of removing toxic substances from a living organism.
Example
Detoxification helps to cleanse the body of harmful substances.
C1 noun /bɪˈtreɪər/

Betrayer

Meaning
a person who betrays someone or something; one who is disloyal
Example
The betrayer was exposed and faced severe consequences.
B2 adjective /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk/

eccentric

Meaning
unconventional and slightly strange in behavior or appearance
Example
The artist was known for his eccentric style.
A2 verb /ɪkˈsaɪt/

excite

Meaning
to cause strong feelings of enthusiasm or eagerness
Example
The idea of traveling abroad excites her.
C2 adjective /dæŋk/

dank

Meaning
unpleasantly damp and cold
Example
The basement was dark and dank, filled with a musty smell.
B1 verb kleɪmz

claims

Meaning
To take someone's life, to cause death
Example
Workplace pollution claims thousands of lives annually.
B2 noun /ˈpesɪˌmɪzəm/

pessimism

Meaning
A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe the worst will happen.
Example
Her constant pessimism made it hard to stay optimistic.
C2 adjective /ˈlɪɡ.ni.əs/

ligneous

Meaning
having the texture or appearance of wood; woody
Example
The ligneous stem supported the heavy flowers.
A2 noun səkˈsɛs

success

Meaning
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit
Example
Success requires focus and determination.
B2 noun /tɔːrˈneɪdoʊ/

tornado

Meaning
a rapidly rotating column of air in contact with the ground and clouds, often destructive
Example
The tornado destroyed several houses in the village.
C2 noun /ɪmˈpjuːnɪti/

impunity

Meaning
freedom from punishment or harmful consequences for an action
Example
The dictator ruled with impunity, ignoring international laws.
B2 noun /ˈkaʊnsələr/

councillor

Meaning
an elected member of a local council who helps make decisions and represent the community
Example
The councillor spoke to residents about improving local roads.
A2 adverb /ˈstrɒŋɡli/

strongly

Meaning
in a strong manner or to a great extent
Example
She strongly believes in the power of positive thinking.
A2 noun /əˈraɪvəl/

Arrival

Meaning
the action or process of arriving; the reaching of a destination
Example
The arrival of the train was delayed by two hours.
C2 noun /ˈætəmaɪzər/

atomizer

Meaning
A device that sprays liquid into a fine mist.
Example
She used an atomizer to apply the perfume evenly.
C1 verb /ˈtæn.tə.laɪz/

tantalize

Meaning
To tease or torment someone with the promise of something desirable but unattainable.
Example
The aroma of the bakery tantalized the hungry children.
B1 adjective /ˈsæt.ɪs.fæk.tər.i/

Satisfactory

Meaning
acceptable; meeting requirements; adequate
Example
The test results were satisfactory.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnʃən/

reprehension

Meaning
The act of rebuking or criticizing severely.
Example
The teacher’s reprehension of the student’s behavior was justified.
C1 adjective kəˈlɒs.əl

Colossal

Meaning
Extremely large, gigantic, enormous in size or extent.
Example
The colossal pyramids of Egypt are a marvel of architecture.
A2 adjective /waɪz/

wise

Meaning
having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment
Example
It was wise of him to save money for the future.
A2 noun/verb /ˈɪntrəst/ or /ˈɪntəˌrɛst/

interest

Meaning
A feeling of curiosity or concern about something; or money paid for the use of borrowed money.
Example
He showed great interest in learning new languages.
C2 noun /səbˈmɜːrʒən/

submersion

Meaning
the state of being under water
Example
The submersion of the fields lasted for several days after the heavy rain.
C1 noun /ˈbrɛvɪti/

brevity

Meaning
Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
Example
The brevity of the speech kept the audience engaged.
C1 verb /ˈpændər/

pander

Meaning
to indulge or exploit the weaknesses, desires, or immoral tendencies of others
Example
The politician was accused of pandering to voters' fears.
C1 noun /ˈlɪmboʊ/

limbo

Meaning
A state of uncertainty or neglect; an intermediate or transitional state.
Example
The project was left in limbo after the funding was withdrawn.
C1 noun /ˈmænər/

manor

Meaning
A large country house with lands; the main house of an estate.
Example
The old manor stood proudly on the hill for centuries.
C2 verb /ˈɔːltərˌkeɪt/

altercate

Meaning
to argue or dispute angrily or noisily
Example
The neighbors began to altercate over the boundary wall.
B2 verb /ˈɔːθəraɪz/

authorize

Meaning
to give official permission or approval for something
Example
The manager will authorize the payment tomorrow.
B1 noun /ˈprɪn.tər/

Printer

Meaning
a person whose job is printing books, newspapers, or other materials; a machine that prints documents
Example
The printer delivered the wedding invitations on time.
C1 verb /prəˈlɪf.ə.reɪt/

proliferate

Meaning
To increase rapidly in numbers; to grow or spread quickly and extensively.
Example
Startups tend to proliferate in a thriving economy.
C1 noun /əˈvɜːrʒən/

aversion

Meaning
a strong feeling of dislike or unwillingness towards something
Example
She has a strong aversion to smoking.
C2 adjective /bəˈnɛfɪsənt/

beneficent

Meaning
generous or doing good
Example
The beneficent leader donated funds to build a hospital.
B1 noun /ˈθɪr.i/

Theory

Meaning
a supposition or system of ideas intended to explain something
Example
Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized physics.
C2 verb /lɑːl/

loll

Meaning
To sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
Example
He lolled on the sofa after a long day at work.
C1 verb /pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/

personify

Meaning
To represent or embody a quality, idea, or concept in human form.
Example
She personifies kindness and generosity.
C2 noun /kɒŋk/

Conck

Meaning
a shell, especially a large spiral one used as a horn or for decoration
Example
The priest blew the conch shell to signal the start of the ceremony.
B2 noun /ɑːks/

Ox

Meaning
a large strong animal used for pulling heavy loads or plowing fields
Example
The farmer used an ox to plow the field.
C1 noun ˈkiː.stəʊn ˈspiː.ʃiːz

keystone species

Meaning
A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically.
Example
Wolves are a keystone species that regulate prey populations.
B1 verb /kəˈmænd/

command

Meaning
to give an order authoritatively; to control or direct
Example
The general commanded the soldiers to move forward.
C1 noun /ˌræm.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

ramification

Meaning
a consequence of an action or event, often complex or unwelcome.
Example
The new law has serious social ramifications.
C1 noun/verb /kroʊˈʃeɪ/

crochet

Meaning
Needlework made by interlocking loops of thread with a hooked needle; the act of making such items.
Example
She learned how to crochet a scarf for winter.
C2 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/

rejoinder

Meaning
a quick or witty reply; a response to a remark or argument
Example
His sharp rejoinder silenced the crowd.
B2 verb /pərˈsuː/

pursue

Meaning
to follow or chase with the intent to catch or achieve something
Example
She decided to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor.
C2 adjective /ˈliːənaɪn/

leonine

Meaning
Of or resembling a lion.
Example
His leonine hair made him stand out in the crowd.
C1 verb əˈkruː

accrue

Meaning
To accumulate or receive (payments or benefits) over time.
Example
Interest accrues on the savings account every month.
B1 noun /eɪdz/

aids

Meaning
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a disease of the immune system caused by HIV
Example
AIDS is a major global health concern.
C1 adjective /ˈraɪ.tʃəs/

Righteous

Meaning
morally right or justifiable; virtuous; having strong moral principles
Example
She felt righteous anger at the unfair treatment of workers.
C1 adjective /ˈmɜːki/

murky

Meaning
Dark, gloomy, and difficult to see through; obscure.
Example
We avoided swimming in the murky river.
C1 adjective /ˌmɪsəˈleɪniəs/

Miscellaneous

Meaning
various; diverse; mixed; assorted
Example
The box contained miscellaneous items from different periods.
C1 verb /əˈluːd/

allude

Meaning
To refer to something indirectly or casually.
Example
The professor alluded to Shakespeare during the lecture.
C1 noun sɜːrˈkeɪdiən ˈrɪðəm

circadian rhythm

Meaning
The body's natural sleep-wake cycle that occurs within 24 hours
Example
Exposure to natural light regulates the circadian rhythm.
C1 noun /ˌtɛrəˈdæktɪl/

pterodactyl

Meaning
An extinct flying reptile of the Jurassic period, with a long slender head and wings formed by a membrane stretching along the body.
Example
The museum displayed a fossil of a giant pterodactyl.
B2 verb /ˌoʊvərˈkʌm/

overcome

Meaning
To succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Example
You can overcome procrastination with planning.
C1 adjective /ˈaɪərnˌklæd/

ironclad

Meaning
impossible to change, break, or dispute; very strong and firm
Example
The company had an ironclad contract with its suppliers.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpɜːrsənl/

impersonal

Meaning
not influenced by, showing, or involving personal feelings; lacking human warmth or emotion
Example
The letter was written in a very impersonal style.
B2 noun /ˈruːstər/

rooster

Meaning
A male domestic chicken, especially one that crows.
Example
The rooster crowed at dawn, waking up the whole village.
A1 verb /wɪn/

win

Meaning
to be successful or victorious in a contest or competition
Example
Our team will win the championship.
B2 adjective /əˈkjuːt/

acute

Meaning
present or experienced to a severe or intense degree; having sharp perception
Example
The patient suffered from acute pain after the surgery.
C1 adjective /ˌmet.əˈbɒl.ɪk/

metabolic

Meaning
Relating to the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Example
Regular exercise enhances metabolic efficiency.
C1 noun /ˌnɑm.əˈni/

Nominee

Meaning
a person who is nominated for an office, award, or honor
Example
She was the nominee for the Best Actress award.
B2 noun /faʊl/

Fowl

Meaning
a domesticated bird kept for meat or eggs; chicken or other poultry
Example
The farmer raised fowl in his backyard for fresh eggs and meat.
B2 noun /ˈvɪɡ.ər/

Vigour

Meaning
physical strength and good health; effort, energy, and enthusiasm
Example
She approached her work with renewed vigour after the vacation.
C2 noun /neɪv/

Knave

Meaning
a dishonest person, especially a man; a playing card with a picture of a male servant
Example
The knave tried to cheat the old woman out of her savings.
C1 noun /hjuːˈmɪl.ɪ.ti/

humility

Meaning
The quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.
Example
She accepted the award with grace and humility.
C1 noun /ˌlɛ.seɪ ˈfɛər/

laissez-faire

Meaning
An economic policy where government does not intervene in business affairs.
Example
Laissez-faire policies encourage private enterprise.
C2 verb /rɪˈtrɛntʃ/

retrench

Meaning
to reduce costs, spending, or staff to save resources
Example
The company had to retrench employees due to financial difficulties.
C2 verb /əˈvaʊ/

avow

Meaning
to openly declare or admit something, often publicly and firmly
Example
He avowed his loyalty to the cause without hesitation.
C2 noun brəˈvɑː.dəʊ

bravado

Meaning
Show of courage or confidence that is not real.
Example
His bravado masked his nervousness before the performance.
C2 noun /ɜːrˈbænɪti/

urbanity

Meaning
refined courtesy, elegance, and sophistication in manner
Example
Her urbanity made her popular among diplomats and leaders.
A1 verb, adjective /kloʊz/ (verb), /kloʊs/ (adjective)

close

Meaning
To shut something (verb); near in space or relationship (adjective).
Example
Please close the door when you leave.
B2 noun

Kitchen garden

C1 noun /ˈprəʊ.lɒɡ/

prologue

Meaning
an introduction to a book, play, or event
Example
The novel begins with a short prologue set in the past.
A1 noun /kiːp/

Keep

Meaning
food and other things necessary for living; the strongest part of a castle
Example
He worked hard to earn his keep and support his family.
C1 adjective, noun /əbˈzɔːrbənt/

absorbent

Meaning
able to soak up liquid, moisture, or energy easily; a material or substance that absorbs
Example
This towel is highly absorbent and dries quickly.
B2 noun /mʌŋk/

Monk

Meaning
a man who is a member of a religious community living under vows
Example
The monk spent hours in meditation each day.
B2 adjective /ˈfɛdərəl/

federal

Meaning
Relating to the central government of a federation.
Example
The federal government passed a new law on healthcare.
C2 noun /kəmˈpleɪsəns/

complaisance

Meaning
willingness to please others; courteous compliance
Example
Her complaisance made her popular among her colleagues.
C2 adjective /bɪˈfʌdld/

befuddled

Meaning
confused, unable to think clearly
Example
He looked befuddled after hearing the complex instructions.
A2 adjective /ˈkraʊdɪd/

crowded

Meaning
filled with too many people or things
Example
The bus was so crowded that I could hardly move.
B2 adjective /səkˈsɛsɪv/

Successive

Meaning
following one after the other in order; consecutive
Example
The team won three successive matches.
C2 adjective /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/

billowing

Meaning
Describing something that swells or surges outward in waves or large masses.
Example
She walked through the billowing curtains.
B1 noun /sleɪv/

slave

Meaning
a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to work for them
Example
The abolitionist movement fought for the rights of slaves.
B1 noun /ˈhaɪ.weɪ/

highway

Meaning
A main road, especially one connecting major towns or cities.
Example
The highway was blocked due to an accident.
B2 noun /jʌŋ fɪʃ/

Young fish

Meaning
juvenile or small fish; fish that has not reached maturity
Example
Young fish need protection from predators.
A1 noun /ˈsɪstər/

sister

Meaning
a female sibling; a girl or woman in relation to other children of her parents
Example
My sister is coming to visit us next week.
A2 noun /træʃ/

Trash

Meaning
waste material; refuse; something of poor quality or little value
Example
Please take out the trash before you leave.
C2 verb /deɪn/

deign

Meaning
to do something considered beneath one's dignity
Example
The king did not deign to reply to the commoner.
B2 noun ɪnˌdʌstrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən

industrialization

Meaning
The development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
Example
Industrialization changed the global economy dramatically.
C1 noun /ˈstændˌstɪl/

standstill

Meaning
a situation in which all movement or activity stops
Example
The traffic came to a standstill after the accident.
C1 noun kənˈɡlɒm.ər.ət

conglomerate

Meaning
A large corporation formed by the merging of separate and diverse firms.
Example
The company grew into a multinational conglomerate.
A2 noun /reɪt/

rate

Meaning
the cost or price of something, or the amount at which something happens
Example
The rate of inflation is increasing every year.
B2 noun /juːˈtɪl.ə.ti/

Utility

Meaning
the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial; a public service
Example
The utility of solar panels increases with rising electricity costs.
C1 noun /ˈwed.lɒk/

Wed lock

Meaning
the state of being married; matrimony
Example
They have been happily united in wedlock for twenty years.
C2 noun /ˈɪkθiəˌsɔːrz/

ichthyosaurs

Meaning
Extinct marine reptiles that resembled fish and dolphins, dominant during the Mesozoic era.
Example
Ichthyosaurs were swift predators of the ancient seas.
A2 noun /ˈeɪn.dʒəl/

Angel

Meaning
a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God
Example
She looked like an angel in her white dress.
C1 noun /ˈtrɪkstər/

trickster

Meaning
A person who cheats or deceives people.
Example
The old man turned out to be a clever trickster who fooled everyone.
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 adverb /ˈiːstwədz/

Eastwards

Meaning
towards the east; in an eastern direction
Example
The river flows eastwards into the ocean.
C2 noun /ˈhɑːtʃ.pɑːtʃ/

Hotchpotch

Meaning
a confused mixture; a jumbled assortment of things
Example
The room was a hotchpotch of old furniture, books, and random decorations.
C2 noun /ʌnˈkloʊðɪŋ/

unclothing

Meaning
the act or process of removing clothing
Example
The child quickly ran inside for unclothing after playing in the mud.
C1 noun /ˌɛks.həˈleɪ.ʃən/

exhalation

Meaning
The action of breathing out.
Example
Slow exhalation calms the nervous system.
B1 noun /ˈpælɪs/

palace

Meaning
a large and impressive building that is the official home of a king, queen, or other ruler
Example
The royal family lives in a magnificent palace.
C1 noun /ɪnˈhɛrɪtər/

inheritor

Meaning
a person who receives money, property, or a title when someone dies
Example
She became the inheritor of her family's estate.
A1 adjective /rɒŋ/

wrong

Meaning
not correct or true; mistaken
Example
It is wrong to cheat on a test.
C1 noun /ˈtrɛmər/

tremor

Meaning
a slight shaking movement in a person’s body or in the ground
Example
A small tremor was felt before the earthquake.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpjuːt/

impute

Meaning
to attribute a fault or responsibility to someone
Example
They imputed the company's success to good leadership.
C2 adjective /dɪˈluːsɪv/

delusive

Meaning
Giving a false or misleading impression; deceptive.
Example
His promises turned out to be delusive and untrustworthy.
B2 adverb /kənˈtɪnjuəli/

Continually

Meaning
without stopping; repeatedly
Example
She continually checked her phone for messages.
C2 verb /rɪˈɡeɪl/

regale

Meaning
To entertain or amuse someone with stories, food, or drink.
Example
He regaled us with stories of his travels around the world.
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.
C2 noun /ˌeɪd də ˈkæmp/

aide-de-camp

Meaning
A military officer acting as a confidential assistant to a senior officer.
Example
The general was accompanied by his aide-de-camp during the ceremony.
C2 adjective /əˈθɜːrst/

athirst

Meaning
Very eager or desirous for something.
Example
The explorer was athirst for adventure.
B1 adjective /fɜːrm/

Firm

Meaning
solid; stable; strong; not yielding to pressure
Example
She has a firm grip on the rope.
C1 adjective /ˈlɔː.ləs/

Lawless

Meaning
without law; anarchic; unruly; criminal
Example
The frontier town was known for its lawless behavior and chaos.