Advanced English (2) • NOUNS • 'S'

noun [U ] C2 informal • synonyms: insight, shrewdness, acumen • financial/political/tech/media savvy; someone has savvy in dealing with money/people/systems • freq in AmE: 6/10

practical understanding, shrewd awareness, or intuitive grasp of how things work — especially in real-world contexts like business, politics, media, or technology; often implies street-smart insight rather than formal education

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: spoonful, dollop, ball • scoop of ice cream/potatoes/powder; generous/single/heaping scoop • freq in AmE: 8/10

a rounded portion of something, typically food, taken or served with a spoon or scooping tool; often used for ice cream, mashed potatoes, or powdered ingredients

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: independence, autonomy, resilience • economic/emotional/food/energy self-sufficiency; achieve/pursue/maintain self-sufficiency; path to self-sufficiency • freq in AmE: 6/10

the ability to provide for oneself without external help; independence in meeting one’s own needs — economic, emotional, intellectual, or practical

collocation with self-sufficiency noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: achieve independence, become autonomous • attain/achieve/pursue self-sufficiency; attain economic/emotional/food/energy self-sufficiency; path to self-sufficiency • freq in AmE: 6/10

to reach a state of independence or autonomy in meeting one’s own needs — economic, emotional, energetic, or practical; to become self-reliant and no longer dependent on external support

noun [plural ] C2 • synonyms: paving blocks, cut stone • granite setts; lay/set/pave with setts; patterned/herringbone setts • freq in AmE: 3/10 (more common in UK)

rectangular or square-cut stones used for paving streets, paths, or courtyards; unlike rounded cobblestones, setts are shaped and laid in regular patterns — often made of granite or other durable stone

noun [U ] C1 social/political • synonyms: gender bias, misogyny, discrimination • sexism in the workplace/media/education; everyday/institutional/blatant sexism; fight/combat/challenge sexism • freq in AmE: 6/10

prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination based on a person’s sex or gender — especially when it results in unequal treatment, exclusion, or systemic bias

noun [C ] C1 social/political • synonyms: misogynist, chauvinist, discriminator • be called a sexist; accuse someone of being a sexist; blatant/obvious/typical sexist; sexist attitudes/remarks/personality • freq in AmE: 5/10

a person who discriminates against others based on their sex or gender, especially by reinforcing stereotypes or treating one gender as inferior — typically used to describe someone with misogynistic views or behavior

noun [C usually plural ] C1 • synonyms: antics, mischief, schemes, pranks • financial/political shenanigans; be up to shenanigans; silly/late-night shenanigans • freq in AmE: 5/10

a secretive, dishonest, or silly activity — often playful or mischievous, but sometimes deceptive or disruptive; usually used in plural (shenanigans) to describe antics, schemes, or troublemaking behavior

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: closure, stoppage, halt • government/factory/system shutdown; temporary/complete shutdown; shutdown due to crisis/failure • freq in AmE: 7/10

a situation in which a system, operation, service, or institution stops functioning, either temporarily or permanently; often used in political, industrial, or technological contexts

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: insult, smear, aspersion • racial/personal/political slur; make/hurl/deny a slur; a slur against someone’s character/integrity • freq in AmE: 5/10

an insulting or damaging remark, especially one that unfairly targets someone’s character, identity, or reputation; often used to express prejudice or contempt

collocation with slur noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: racial insults, ethnic slurs, hate speech • shout/hurl racial slurs; racial slurs in media/schools; condemn racial slurs • freq in AmE: 5/10

offensive or derogatory remarks targeting someone’s race or ethnicity; often used to express prejudice, hatred, or contempt, and considered deeply harmful and unacceptable in public discourse

noun [C ] C1 US informal (also smack-down) • synonyms: takedown, defeat, rebuke • verbal/political smackdown; deliver/receive a smackdown • freq in AmE: 6/10

a decisive defeat, confrontation, or harsh criticism; originally from wrestling, now often used metaphorically in politics, media, or debates

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: surge, jump, upswing • price/inflation/interest rate spike; a spike in something; spike in demand/traffic/attention • freq in AmE: 7/10

a sudden and sharp increase in something, especially in prices, interest rates, statistics, or public attention; often short-lived and unexpected

noun [S or U ] C2 • synonyms: slant, framing, interpretation • a positive/negative/political spin; media/personal spin on something • put/add/give a spin to something; someone’s spin on events/news • freq in AmE: 7/10

a particular way of presenting or interpreting information, especially one that is intended to influence opinion or make something seem better, worse, or more appealing than it really is

collocation with spin noun [S or U ] C2 informal • synonyms: reinterpret, reframe • put a spin on something; put your (own) spin on something; give something a positive/political spin • someone puts a spin on facts/news/story • freq in AmE: 7/10

to present or interpret something (such as a story, idea, or event) in a particular way that reflects your personal style, opinion, or agenda — often to make it more appealing, persuasive, or aligned with your goals

noun [U] C2 • psychology/economics • antonym of: generativity • synonyms: standstill, inertia, deadlock • economic/emotional stagnation; fall into stagnation • freq in AmE: 4/10

a state of inactivity, lack of growth, progress, or development — often used in psychological, economic, or social contexts

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: loyalist, pillar, diehard • stalwart of a movement/party/group; political/social stalwart; remain a stalwart • freq in AmE: 4/10

a loyal, reliable, and hardworking supporter of a cause, organization, or belief; someone who consistently stands firm and shows unwavering commitment

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: position, viewpoint, attitude • stance on issue/policy/conflict; firm/neutral/defensive stance • freq in AmE: 7/10

a publicly stated opinion, attitude, or position on a particular issue, especially one that reflects values, beliefs, or strategic intent

collocation with stance noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: consistent position, unified attitude, logical viewpoint • take/formulate/maintain a coherent stance on something; present/justify a coherent stance to someone • freq in AmE: 6/10

a position or attitude on an issue that is logically consistent, well-structured, and aligned with underlying principles or values

noun [C or U ] C2 • synonyms: excess, oversupply, remainder • budget/trade/food surplus; surplus inventory/workforce • freq in AmE: 7/10

an amount of something that is more than what is needed or used; often refers to excess goods, resources, or financial balance; can be neutral, positive, or problematic depending on context

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: monitoring, scrutiny, tracking • keep someone/something under surveillance; mass/covert/digital surveillance; under/increase/oppose surveillance • freq in AmE: 7/10

the act of closely observing or monitoring people, places, or activities, often for security, intelligence, or control purposes; metaphorically, the sense of being watched or scrutinized

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: fraudster, cheat, scammer, trickster • expose/track/arrest a swindler; financial swindler; online swindler • freq in AmE: 6/10

a person who cheats others out of money or possessions through lies, trickery, or manipulation; often used in legal, journalistic, or moral contexts to emphasize dishonesty and exploitation

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: faction, offshoot, breakaway group • radical splinter group; form/join/oppose; political/religious/activist contexts • freq in AmE: 6/10

a small organization that has broken away from a larger one, typically due to ideological differences, internal conflict, or dissatisfaction with leadership

noun [U ] C1 formal • synonyms: autonomy, independence, self-rule • assert/recognize/undermine sovereignty; tribal/national/state sovereignty • freq in AmE: 7/10

supreme power or authority, especially of a state to govern itself without external interference; also refers to autonomy, independence, and self-rule

noun [plural ] C2 • clinical/psychological • synonyms: suicidal thoughts, self-harm ideation • experience/report suicidal ideations; assess/screen for ideations; ideations linked to depression/trauma • freq in AmE: 5/10

thoughts, fantasies, or preoccupations with ending one’s own life; may range from fleeting ideas to detailed plans, and are considered a serious mental health concern

noun [C ] C1 gambling/sports US (also sports book) • synonyms: betting shop, wagering platform, bookmaker • online/retail/mobile sportsbook; sportsbook odds/lines/apps; bet/wager through a sportsbook • freq in AmE: 6/10

a place or platform (physical or online) where people can place bets on various sports events; typically offers odds, betting lines, and wagering options for games, matches, and tournaments

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: oppression, domination, conquest, enslavement • (subjugation of people/rights/minds); resist/fight/end subjugation • freq in AmE: 4/10

the act of bringing someone or something under control, especially by force; the condition of being dominated, oppressed, or made subordinate — often used in historical, political, or psychological contexts

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: isolation, privacy, retreat • live in/seek/be forced into seclusion; emotional/social seclusion; peaceful seclusion in nature • freq in AmE: 6/10

the state of being private and away from other people; deliberate isolation from social contact or public attention

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: isolation, avoidance, disengagement • experience/show/social withdrawal; social withdrawal in depression/anxiety/trauma; reduce/address social withdrawal through therapy • freq in AmE: 5/10

a behavioral pattern in which a person avoids social interaction, often due to psychological distress, trauma, anxiety, or other emotional factors

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: peer abuse, student aggression, bullying at school • experience/prevent/report school bullying; school bullying and mental health; victims of school bullying • freq in AmE: 6/10

repeated aggressive behavior among students that involves an imbalance of power, intended to hurt, intimidate, or humiliate another student physically, verbally, or socially

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: looseness, underuse, inefficiency, downtime • slack in rope/system/market; economic slack; pick up/take up the slack; slack time/resources • freq in physical/business use: 7/10

a part that is loose, not tight, or underused; also refers to a reduction in activity, effort, or demand — often implying inefficiency or unused capacity

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: calm, tranquility, composure • serenity of something; seek/maintain/radiate serenity; someone finds serenity in something • inner/quiet/deep serenity • freq in AmE: 6/10

a state of calm, peacefulness, and inner tranquility; often used to describe emotional balance, quietude, or a harmonious atmosphere

collocation with serenity noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: infuse calm, radiate tranquility, instill peace • imbue something with serenity; be imbued with serenity; imbue space/moment/atmosphere • freq in AmE: 5/10

to fill or permeate a space, atmosphere, or experience with a sense of calm and tranquility; often used in artistic, architectural, or emotional contexts

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: lone animal, non-social species, territorial predator • solitary animal behavior; solitary hunters; solitary mammals/birds • freq in AmE: 5/10

an animal that typically lives, hunts, or travels alone rather than in groups or social units — often due to territoriality, predatory habits, or evolutionary traits

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: spice, pigment, crocus extract • saffron rice/robe/hue; steep/sprinkle/flavor with saffron • freq in AmE: 5/10

a deep orange-yellow spice made from the dried stigmas of the crocus flower, prized for its flavor, color, and rarity; also refers to the color itself or symbolic meanings in religion and culture

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: basic food, dietary essential, pantry item • food staple/rice/bread; buy/eat/run out of staples • freq in AmE: 6/10

a basic food item that is regularly consumed and forms a dominant part of a population’s diet; often inexpensive, widely available, and nutritionally essential — such as rice, bread, potatoes, or maize

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: redemption, deliverance, rescue • seek/find/offer salvation; path to/spiritual/emotional salvation • freq in AmE: 6/10

deliverance from sin, spiritual death, or suffering; often used in religious contexts to describe the saving of the soul, but also metaphorically to mean rescue or redemption from hardship

noun [C ] C2 specialized • synonyms: prodigy (partial), genius (contextual) • savant syndrome; autistic/musical savant; display/possess savant-like skills • freq in AmE: 3/10

a person with significant mental or developmental disabilities who demonstrates profound and exceptional abilities in a specific area, such as mathematics, music, memory, or art

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: conflict, discord, tension • civil/political/marital strife; outbreaks/sources/periods of strife; strife between groups/factions • freq in AmE: 5/10

angry or bitter disagreement; prolonged conflict or struggle, especially within societies, relationships, or political contexts

noun [U ] C1 mainly US informal • synonyms: cheek, attitude, impudence • give/throw/deliver sass; full of sass; playful/sharp/teenage sass; a flash of sass • freq in AmE: 5/10

disrespectful or cheeky speech; bold, witty, or impudent remarks—often playful, teasing, or defiant in tone

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: endurance, grit, resilience • physical/mental/emotional stamina; build/test/require stamina • freq in AmE: 8/10

the physical or mental strength to sustain prolonged effort, endure hardship, or resist fatigue over time

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: incentive, stimulus, trigger • a spur to action/growth; give/provide a spur; riding spurs • freq in AmE: 6/10

a stimulus or incentive that encourages action, development, or progress; also a pointed device worn on a rider’s heel to urge a horse forward

noun [plural ] C1 • synonyms: safety measures, protective steps, precautions • take/follow/implement safety precautions; basic/strict/necessary precautions • freq in AmE: 7/10

measures taken in advance to prevent accidents, harm, or danger — especially in hazardous environments or situations

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: shepherding, flock management • sheep herding as rural labor or metaphor; herd sheep, guide flock, control group • freq in AmE: 3/10

the activity or profession of managing and guiding sheep, typically involving movement across pastures; metaphorically, the act of controlling or directing a group, often with connotations of passivity or conformity

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: marsh, bog, mire • dense/wet/muddy swamp; get stuck in a swamp; ecological swamp • freq in AmE: 5/10

a low-lying area of land saturated with water, often overgrown with vegetation; metaphorically, a situation that is overwhelming, stagnant, or hard to escape

noun [plural ] C1 • synonyms: solid fats, animal fats • saturated fats in butter/meat/snacks; limit/reduce/avoid saturated fats; saturated vs unsaturated fats; health risks/cholesterol/heart disease • freq in AmE: 7/10

types of fats found in animal products and some plant oils, typically solid at room temperature, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease when consumed in excess

noun [C ] C1 informal • synonyms: clash, brawl, showdown • political/emotional/media slugfest; erupt into/end in slugfest; slugfest of ideas/emotions/egos; slugfest and chaos/tension/drama • freq in AmE: 6/10

a contest marked by intense, aggressive, and continuous action, especially one involving heavy physical or verbal blows; metaphorically, any fierce confrontation or chaotic exchange

noun [C usually singular ] C2 informal • synonyms: attempt, try, chance, bid • take/give/have a shot at something; worth a shot; long shot; one shot; first shot; bold shot • freq in AmE: 8/10

(ATTEMPT) an attempt to do or achieve something that is difficult, when success is uncertain

noun [C usually singular ] C1 informal • synonyms: bunch, flood, host • a slew of options/problems/emails; massive/surprising slew • freq in AmE: 7/10

a large number or quantity of something; often used to emphasize abundance or overwhelming volume

noun [C ] C1 historical/political • synonyms: vassal, citizen, subordinate • subject of the crown/state; loyal subject • freq in AmE: 4/10

a person under the rule of a monarch or state; often used to describe loyalty, obedience or lack of autonomy

noun [C ] C2 formal • synonyms: ruler, monarch, king, queen, potentate, authority • reigning/current/legitimate sovereign; the sovereign of a country/state; the people as sovereign • freq in AmE: 7/10

a king or queen who is the supreme ruler of a country; (formal) a person or body possessing ultimate authority or power

collocation with sovereign noun [C ] C2 formal • synonyms: monarch, ruler, sovereign • freq in AmE: 4/10

a monarch who has ruled for the longest continuous period; often used to highlight legacy, endurance or historical significance

noun [C ] C1 • synonyms: magic solution, panacea, quick fix • no silver bullet for X; promise/seek silver bullet; silver bullet solution/approach/tech • freq in AmE: 6/10

a simple, seemingly magical solution to a complex or persistent problem — often used skeptically to suggest that such solutions rarely exist

noun [plural ] C2 mainly British literary/poetic • synonyms: hardships, attacks, misfortunes • slings and arrows of life/fate/fortune; endure/face/withstand slings and arrows • freq in AmE: 4/10 (⇒ Hamlet reference)

attacks, hardships, or misfortunes — especially those that come unexpectedly or unjustly; symbolic of life's suffering and adversity

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: rigor, severity, austerity • legal/fiscal/regulatory stringency; increase/enforce/relax stringency; stringency of rules/measures • freq in AmE: 5/10

the quality of being strict, precise, or severe, especially in rules, conditions, or controls; also used to describe tightness or scarcity in resources