Zany
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C1 noun /ˈzeɪni/

Zany

Meaning
amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic; a comical person; foolishly playful
Example
He has a zany sense of humor that makes everyone laugh.
C1 adjective /ɔːˈtʌmnəl/

autumnal

Meaning
relating to or characteristic of autumn; occurring in autumn
Example
The autumnal colors of red and gold filled the forest.
C1 noun /ˌpærəˈnɔɪə/

paranoia

Meaning
an irrational and persistent feeling that people are 'out to get you' or are constantly watching you
Example
His constant paranoia made it hard for him to trust anyone.
C1 adjective ˈser.ɪ.brəl

cerebral

Meaning
Of the cerebrum of the brain.
Example
Cerebral functions regulate thoughts.
C1 adjective /ˌʌn.əˈdʌl.tə.reɪ.tɪd/

Unadulterated

Meaning
not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; pure
Example
She felt unadulterated joy when she heard the news.
C1 noun /pɪˈtaɪə/

Pitaya / Dragon fruit

Meaning
a tropical fruit with bright pink or red skin and white flesh speckled with black seeds
Example
The pitaya has a mild, sweet flavor and a unique appearance.
C1 verb /ˈstaɪmi/

stymie

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

elude

Meaning
Evade or escape from, typically in a skillful or cunning way; avoid being caught.
Example
The thief managed to elude the police.
C1 noun /kənˈfɔːrməns/

conformance

Meaning
The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law.
Example
The product was tested for conformance with safety standards.
C1 noun /ˈɪmɪnəns/

imminence

Meaning
the state of being about to happen
Example
The imminence of the storm forced people to take shelter.
C1 noun /rɪˈbʌtəl/

rebuttal

Meaning
a statement or argument made to oppose or disprove another
Example
Her rebuttal was clear and convincing.
C1 verb /pərˈspaɪər/

perspire

Meaning
To give out sweat through the pores of the skin as a result of heat, physical exertion, or stress.
Example
He began to perspire after running for 10 minutes.
C1 noun /ˈzɛnəˌfoʊb/

xenophobe

Meaning
a person who dislikes or fears people from other countries or cultures
Example
The politician was criticized as a xenophobe due to his anti-immigrant policies.
C1 adjective /səˈtɪrɪk/

satiric

Meaning
Relating to or using satire.
Example
The novel takes a satiric view of urban life.
C1 adjective /suːˈpɜːr.flu.əs/

superfluous

Meaning
Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
Example
His speech contained too many superfluous details.
C1 verb /trʌdʒ/

trudge

Meaning
To walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions.
Example
They had to trudge through the snow to reach the village.
C1 verb /mɔːl/

maul

Meaning
To wound or injure someone by scratching or tearing; to handle roughly.
Example
The bear mauled the camper in the forest.
C1 verb /ˈwaɪtˌwɑːʃ/

whitewash

Meaning
to cover up faults, errors, or unpleasant facts; to paint with white paint or lime
Example
The report was criticized for trying to whitewash the company's failures.
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 /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/

crystallize

Meaning
to form crystals; to make an idea or plan clear and definite
Example
Her vague thoughts began to crystallize into a solid plan.
C1 adjective /ˌɪndɪˈspjuːtəbəl/

Indisputable

Meaning
impossible to deny or argue against; undeniable; certain
Example
The evidence against him was indisputable.
C1 noun /ˈef.ɪ.dʒi/

Effigy

Meaning
a sculpture or model of a person, especially one made as a protest
Example
The protesters burned an effigy of the corrupt politician in the square.
C1 verb /ˈpætər/

patter

Meaning
to make a repeated light tapping sound; to talk quickly in a rehearsed or mechanical way
Example
Rain pattered softly on the window.
C1 adjective ɔːɡˈmen.tɪd

augmented

Meaning
having been made greater in size or value.
Example
The new software provided augmented reality features.
C1 verb əˈkruː

accrue

Meaning
To accumulate or receive (payments or benefits) over time.
Example
Interest accrues on the savings account every month.
C1 adjective /ɪˈvæljʊətɪv/

evaluative

Meaning
Relating to or involving evaluation or assessment.
Example
The evaluative phase of the project involves assessing its success.
C1 noun /ˈkændɪdnəs/

candidness

Meaning
The quality of being open, honest, and straightforward
Example
Her candidness during the meeting impressed everyone.
C1 adjective /ˌʌnˈpɑr.də.nə.bəl/

Unpardonable

Meaning
too bad to be forgiven; inexcusable
Example
His betrayal of trust was an unpardonable offense.
C1 verb /ɪˈroʊd/

erode

Meaning
to gradually wear away or destroy by natural forces such as water, wind, or chemical action
Example
The coastline has begun to erode due to constant waves.
C1 noun /ˈdʒɔːn.dɪs/

jaundice

Meaning
A medical condition in which the skin and eyes become yellow due to liver problems.
Example
The doctor diagnosed the baby with jaundice.
C1 noun /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/

antecedent

Meaning
something that came before; a previous event, condition, or cause
Example
The cultural antecedents of this festival go back centuries.
C1 adjective /ˈlæk.tɪk/

lactic

Meaning
Relating to milk or lactic acid.
Example
Intense exercise can lead to a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.
C1 verb/noun /snɑːrl/

snarl

Meaning
to growl aggressively with bared teeth; a tangle or mess
Example
The dog snarled at the stranger near the gate.
C1 adjective dɪ ˈskrɛʃ.ən.er.i

discretionary

Meaning
Available for use at the discretion of the user; not required or mandatory.
Example
He set aside some discretionary income for travel.
C1 verb /ʃɪə/

shear

Meaning
to cut the wool off a sheep or to cut something with sharp tools like scissors or shears
Example
The farmer will shear the sheep in the spring.
C1 noun /ˈrem.nənt/

Remnant

Meaning
a small remaining quantity of something; a piece of cloth left over after the main piece has been used
Example
Only a remnant of the ancient wall remains.
C1 adjective /ˈmaɪndləs/

mindless

Meaning
without thought or intelligence; done without consideration
Example
He was bored by the mindless tasks at work.
C1 noun /məˈnɒtəni/

monotony

Meaning
Lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and routine.
Example
Breaking the monotony of everyday life can improve mental health.
C1 adjective /ˌəʊ.vərˈɑː.tʃɪŋ/

overarching

Meaning
Comprehensive or all-embracing; forming an arch over something.
Example
The overarching theme of the book is human resilience.
C1 noun /ɪnˈdɪɡ.nə.ti/

Indignity

Meaning
treatment or circumstances that cause one to feel shame or loss of dignity; humiliation
Example
She refused to suffer the indignity of being searched without proper cause.
C1 noun /dɪn/

din

Meaning
a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise
Example
The din of traffic outside made it hard to concentrate.
C1 noun /ˈtriːtɪs/

treatise

Meaning
a formal and systematic written work dealing with a subject in detail
Example
He wrote a treatise on modern economic theory.
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.
C1 noun /ˈwɔː.tər hen/

Water hen

Meaning
a waterbird with dark plumage that lives near ponds and wetlands
Example
The water hen swam gracefully across the pond.
C1 noun /ˈæntənɪm/

antonym

Meaning
A word opposite in meaning to another.
Example
‘Hot’ is the antonym of ‘cold’.
C1 noun /taɪˈreɪd/

tirade

Meaning
a long, angry, or critical speech
Example
The manager launched into a tirade about poor performance.
C1 noun /aɪˈtɪnərɛri/

itinerary

Meaning
A planned route or schedule of a journey or trip.
Example
The travel agent gave us a detailed itinerary for our vacation.
C1 noun /ˈfiː.nɪks/

phoenix

Meaning
a mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes; symbol of immortality or renewal
Example
The legend says the phoenix rises from its ashes every 500 years.
C1 noun /mɒnˈtɑːʒ/

montage

Meaning
A sequence of film editing or a composite image made by combining several separate pictures.
Example
The film opened with a montage of city life.
C1 noun /ˈfoʊ.kəs ˈtræk.ɪŋ/

focus tracking

Meaning
A technique of monitoring and maintaining attention on specific tasks or goals.
Example
Proper focus tracking improves productivity.
C1 adjective /ˈɡæstrɪk/

gastric

Meaning
Relating to the stomach.
Example
She was prescribed medicine for her gastric problems.
C1 noun səbˈsɪs.təns

subsistence

Meaning
The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.
Example
Many farmers depend on subsistence agriculture.
C1 adjective /ˈpɔɪ.njənt/

poignant

Meaning
evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; deeply touching
Example
The movie's ending was so poignant that many in the audience were moved to tears.
C1 verb /pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/

personify

Meaning
To represent or embody a quality, idea, or concept in human form.
Example
She personifies kindness and generosity.
C1 adjective /bræʃ/

brash

Meaning
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overconfident way
Example
His brash comments offended many people at the meeting.
C1 noun, adjective /ˈlæksətɪv/

laxative

Meaning
A medicine or substance that stimulates bowel movements; tending to loosen or relieve constipation.
Example
The doctor prescribed a mild laxative for her condition.
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.
C1 adjective /ˈsiːzənəbəl/

Seasonable

Meaning
occurring at the right time; appropriate for the season; timely
Example
The seasonable rain helped the farmers with their crops.
C1 noun /səbˈvɜːrʒən/

subversion

Meaning
the act of trying to destroy or undermine an established system or authority
Example
The government accused the rebels of planning subversion.
C1 adjective /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/

irreversible

Meaning
Not able to be undone, changed, or reversed.
Example
The damage caused by the fire was irreversible.
C1 noun /əˈluːʒən/

allusion

Meaning
An indirect reference to something without mentioning it explicitly.
Example
Her story contained an allusion to a famous myth.
C1 noun /ˈaʊtpoʊst/

outpost

Meaning
A small military camp or position at some distance from the main force, used especially as a guard.
Example
The soldiers were stationed at a remote outpost.
C1 adjective /ɪkˈsaɪtəbl̩/

excitable

Meaning
easily excited or emotionally aroused
Example
The child was excitable and laughed at every small thing.
C1 noun ˌdaɪvɜːsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

diversification

Meaning
The practice of spreading investments across various assets or sectors to reduce risk.
Example
Diversification helps to reduce investment risk.
C1 adjective /stɔːntʃ/

staunch

Meaning
Loyal, committed, and firm in support.
Example
She is a staunch supporter of environmental protection.
C1 adjective ˈkrɪp.tɪk

cryptic

Meaning
Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure; difficult to understand.
Example
The message was cryptic and hard to decipher.
C1 verb /pləˈkeɪt/

placate

Meaning
to make someone less angry or hostile; to calm or soothe
Example
He tried to placate the angry customer with a refund.
C1 adjective /ɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/

imposing

Meaning
having an appearance that is grand, impressive, or commanding
Example
The castle is an imposing structure overlooking the valley.
C1 noun /læʃ/

Lash

Meaning
an eyelash; a sharp blow with a whip or rope; to strike forcefully
Example
She carefully applied mascara to make her lashes look longer and darker.
C1 verb /ˈdrɪbəl/

dribble

Meaning
to let liquid flow slowly in drops or to move a ball skillfully with repeated small kicks or bounces
Example
The baby dribbled milk on his shirt.
C1 noun /ˈbærɪˌtoʊn/

baritone

Meaning
a male singing voice between tenor and bass
Example
The singer’s baritone voice impressed the audience.
C1 noun /moʊt/

moat

Meaning
A deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle or town, often filled with water, for defense.
Example
The castle was protected by a wide moat filled with water.
C1 noun /rɪˈfɜːrər/

referrer

Meaning
a person who directs someone to another person or service
Example
The referrer earned a bonus for recommending a new client.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈɡroʊst/

engrossed

Meaning
completely absorbed or deeply involved in something
Example
She was so engrossed in the book that she forgot the time.
C1 adverb /ˈfeɪ.təl.i/

Fatally

Meaning
in a way that causes death; with deadly consequences; critically
Example
The accident fatally injured two passengers.
C1 adjective /ˌɪn.dɪˈspen.sə.bəl/

indispensable

Meaning
Absolutely necessary, essential
Example
Water is indispensable for human survival.
C1 noun /ˈkwɪk.sænd/

Quick-sand

Meaning
loose wet sand that yields easily to pressure and sucks in anything on its surface
Example
The explorer got trapped in quicksand while crossing the desert.
C1 adjective /ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/

enigmatic

Meaning
mysterious and difficult to interpret or understand
Example
He gave me an enigmatic smile.
C1 verb /riːˈkæptʃər/

recapture

Meaning
To take back or regain possession of something.
Example
The army managed to recapture the lost territory.
C1 noun ˈsɛlf pəˈzɪʃən

self-possession

Meaning
The quality of being calm and confident and in control of one's emotions; composure.
Example
His self-possession during the crisis was remarkable.
C1 noun /ˈper.ɪ.wɪŋ.kəl/

Periwinkle

Meaning
a small trailing plant with violet-blue or white flowers
Example
Purple periwinkles covered the garden ground beautifully.
C1 adjective dɒɡˈmæt.ɪk

dogmatic

Meaning
Being inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true; characterized by arrogant assertion of unproven principles.
Example
His dogmatic approach to politics made discussions difficult.
C1 noun /səbˈmɜːrdʒəns/

submergence

Meaning
the act or process of being submerged or going underwater
Example
The submergence of coastal areas is a major concern due to rising sea levels.
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 adjective /əˈdɒptɪv/

adoptive

Meaning
relating to the adoption of a child or the act of taking something as one’s own
Example
She grew up in a loving adoptive family.
C1 verb /ˈbæbəl/

babble

Meaning
to talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish way
Example
The baby babbles all day long.
C1 adjective /ˈdaɪ.si/

dicey

Meaning
Risky or unpredictable; potentially dangerous.
Example
Investing in that company looks pretty dicey right now.
C1 noun /əˈkʌmplɪs/

accomplice

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

muted

Meaning
softened in sound, color, or effect; subdued
Example
The room was painted in muted shades of blue and grey.
C1 noun /ˌeɪ.li.əˈneɪ.ʃən/

alienation

Meaning
The state of being isolated or estranged from a group or activity.
Example
The new policies created a sense of alienation among employees.
C1 adjective /əˈbliːk/

Oblique

Meaning
slanting; diagonal; indirect or evasive
Example
The artist drew an oblique line across the canvas.
C1 verb /ˈrek.ən.saɪl/

reconcile

Meaning
Restore friendly relations between; cause to coexist in harmony.
Example
They tried to reconcile their differences through open communication.
C1 verb /ˈlʌmbər/

lumber

Meaning
to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way
Example
The bear lumbered through the forest in search of food.
C1 adjective /iːsˈθɛθɪkəl/

aesthetical

Meaning
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty; related to artistic taste or appearance
Example
The architect focused on the aesthetical balance of the building.
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 adjective /ˈzɛsti/

zesty

Meaning
Having a strong, pleasant, and somewhat spicy flavor; full of energy and enthusiasm.
Example
The dish had a zesty flavor that everyone loved.
C1 noun /luː/

lieu

Meaning
Instead of; in place of.
Example
He gave money in lieu of flowers.
C1 adjective /ˈtrænzvɜːrs/

transverse

Meaning
situated or lying across something
Example
The transverse road connects two highways.
C1 noun /kæʃ/

cache

Meaning
A hidden storage of items or a high-speed memory in computing.
Example
The hikers found a cache of supplies hidden under the rocks.
C1 adjective /trænsˈfɜːrəbəl/

Transferable

Meaning
able to be moved from one place to another; able to be given to someone else
Example
The skills you learn here are transferable to other jobs.
C1 verb /kriːk/

creak

Meaning
to make a high-pitched, squeaking noise when moved
Example
The old door creaked as she opened it.
C1 verb /ɪɡˈzuːd/

exude

Meaning
to display a quality strongly and openly; to release a liquid or smell slowly
Example
He exudes confidence whenever he speaks in public.
C1 verb /kɑːrp/

carp

Meaning
to complain or find fault continually, often about trivial matters
Example
She tends to carp about the smallest inconveniences.
C1 noun /ˈkoʊmə/

coma

Meaning
A deep state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by illness or injury.
Example
The patient remained in a coma for several weeks.
C1 noun /sleɪ/

sleigh

Meaning
A vehicle pulled by horses or reindeer over snow or ice.
Example
Children were excited to ride in the sleigh through the snowy village.
C1 noun /ˈiː.zi tʃeər/

Easy-chair

Meaning
a comfortable chair with arms and a back that reclines
Example
He relaxed in his favorite easy-chair after work.
C1 adjective /ˈkæni/

canny

Meaning
Having good judgment, especially in business or practical matters; shrewd.
Example
She made a canny investment in real estate.
C1 adverb /ˈfɜː.vənt.li/

Fervently

Meaning
with passionate intensity; ardently; with great emotion or enthusiasm
Example
She fervently hoped that her dreams would come true.
C1 noun /ˈoʊ.vər spɪl/

Over-spill

Meaning
the overflow of liquid from a container; excess that cannot be contained
Example
The overspill from the river flooded nearby farms.
C1 adjective /ˌkætəˈklɪzmɪk/

cataclysmic

Meaning
Relating to or denoting a violent natural event or upheaval.
Example
The war had cataclysmic effects on the nation's economy.
C1 adjective /ˈfɛrəl/

feral

Meaning
existing in a wild or untamed state; not domesticated
Example
The feral cat roamed the streets at night.
C1 noun /prəʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

procrastination

Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing tasks or activities.
Example
Procrastination is the enemy of success.
C1 verb /kwɛl/

quell

Meaning
To suppress or put an end to something, usually by force.
Example
The police were called to quell the violent protest.
C1 adjective /ˈbuːzi/

boozy

Meaning
containing or involving a lot of alcohol; slightly drunk from alcohol
Example
The party became boozy as the night went on.
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 verb /daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

diverge

Meaning
to separate and go in different directions; to differ
Example
The two paths diverge at the fork in the road.
C1 adverb /ˈheɪs.tɪ.li/

Hastily

Meaning
in a hurried or rushed manner; quickly and carelessly
Example
She hastily packed her bags before leaving for the airport.
C1 noun /fɑːrs/

farce

Meaning
a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay, or a ridiculous situation
Example
The meeting turned into a complete farce with everyone arguing.
C1 adjective /ɪnˈfæləbl̩/

infallible

Meaning
incapable of making mistakes or being wrong
Example
Her judgment seemed infallible in matters of finance.
C1 adjective ˌɪn.təˈdɪs.ɪ.plɪ.nər.i

interdisciplinary

Meaning
Relating to more than one branch of knowledge.
Example
The interdisciplinary approach in education enhances problem-solving skills.
C1 noun ænˈtɪk.wə.ti

antiquity

Meaning
The ancient past, especially the period of classical and other human civilizations before the Middle Ages.
Example
The ruins are a reminder of the city's antiquity.