feature [ ˈfiː.tʃə^r ] Her most striking features are her bright blue eyes

ramp up [ ræmp ʌp ] sunspot activity ramps up significantly

likelihood [ ˈlaɪ.kli.hʊd ] There’s a high likelihood of rain tomorrow

thus [ ðʌs ] a great likelihood of solar storms and thus, beautiful auroral displays.

venture [ ˈven.tʃə^r ] Their latest venture into the tech industry was very successful.

ado [ əˈdu ] Without further ado, let’s begin the presentation.

Without further ado [ wɪˈðaʊt ˈfɜːðər əˈduː ] Without further ado, let’s begin the presentation.

exceedingly [ ɪkˈsiː.dɪŋ.li ] She was exceedingly pleased with the results of her hard work

namesake [ ˈneɪm.seɪk ] Both the restaurant and its namesake chef are famous worldwide.

stint [ stɪnt ] He had a short stint as a teacher before switching careers

aficionado [ əˌfɪʃ.i.əˈnɑː.dəʊ ] The wine aficionado could identify every subtle flavor in the glass.

virginal [ ˈvɜː.dʒɪ.n^əl ] dressmakers had run with the idea that white was virginal and pure

virgin [ ˈvɜː.dʒɪn ] Do you think he's still a virgin?

yield [ jiːld ] the unsullied heart which she now yields to the keeping of the chosen one

unsullied [ ʌnˈsʌl.id ] the unsullied heart which she now yields to the keeping of the chosen one

throughout [ θruːˈaʊt ] Efforts have been made throughout history to reform the seven-day week

oddball [ ˈɒd.bɔːl ] but this oddball unit of time has become ingrained in many religions

oscillate [ ˈɒsɪˌleɪt ] Her emotions oscillated between hope and despair

hostility [ hɒsˈtɪl.ɪ.ti ] Repeated pointing in Japan can even instigate hostility

pressurized [ ˈpreʃ.ə.raɪzd ] The pressurized environment of an airplane cabin

wayfarer [ ˈweiˌfeə.rə^r ] The novel follows the journey of a young wayfarer exploring distant lands.

apt [ æpt ] an apt comment/description | We have some particularly apt students in the class this year

greedy [ ˈɡriː.di ] Don’t be greedy, leave some food for others.

leafy [ ˈliː.fi ] Water clinging to leafy greens also adds weight

pipe [ paɪp ] The plumber fixed the broken pipe in the kitchen

sneaky [ ˈsniː.ki ] which is another sneaky way to get you to buy produce more often

aisle [ aɪl ] He sat in the aisle seat of the airplane.

distinction [ dɪˈstɪŋk.ʃ^ən ] Distinction between a couch and a sofa lies in the words themselves

distinguish [ dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ ] She can easily distinguish high-quality fabrics from low-quality ones

dainty [ ˈdeɪn.ti ] She wore a dainty necklace

akin [ əˈkɪn ] His interests are akin to mine, especially in art and music

arbitrary [ ˈɑː.bɪ.trə.ri ] The decision seemed arbitrary

curb [ kɜːb ] He tried to curb his excitement

ubiquitous [ juːˈbɪk.wɪ.təs ] Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.

subsidiary [ səbˈsɪd.i.er.i ] The tech giant owns several subsidiary companies around the world.

oath [ əʊθ ] The president swore an oath to uphold the constitution

covenant [ ˈkʌv.^ən.^ənt ] We covenant together to support each other

slouch [ slaʊtʃ ] Straighten your back - try not to slouch.

consolation [ ˌkɑːn.səˈleɪ.ʃən ] February did receive a consolation prize in the form of an additional day every four years

even numbers [ ˈiː.vən ˈnʌm.bəz ]

odd numbers [ ɒd ˈnʌm.bəz ]

knead [ niːd ] adult cats knead when they’re feeling safe and relaxed

gland [ ɡlænd ] a cat is marking its territory with the scent glands located between its toes

eggplant [ ˈeɡ.plænt ]

ample [ ˈæm.pəl ] The house had ample space for a large family.

aggravate [ ˈæɡ.rə.veɪt ] The sudden movements aggravate bulls

sudden [ ˈsʌd.ən ] There was a sudden change in the weather

avert [ əˈvɜːt ] To say “knock on wood” means averting misfortune

tempt fate [ tempt feɪt ] Don’t tempt fate by going out in the storm

superstitious [ ˌsuː.pəˈstɪʃ.əs ] She’s superstitious and always knocks on wood to avoid bad luck.

culprit [ ˈkʌl.prɪt ] The culprit is a toothpaste ingredient

simultaneously [ ˌsaɪ.məlˈteɪ.ni.əs.li ] She was talking on the phone and typing emails simultaneously.

whammy [ ˈwæm.i ] That’s the whammy of modern life — you work harder but don’t seem to get ahead

designation [ ˌdezɪɡˈneɪʃ^ən ] The designation of the new street was decided at the city council meeting