abandon
US /əˈbændən/
UK /ə'bændən/
- Transitive Verb
- To discard or intentionally get rid of an item
- To withdraw your support, or leave someone
- Uncountable Noun
- Wild, carefree behavior
B1Moreaccess
US /ˈæksɛs/
UK /'ækses/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Way to enter a place, e.g. a station or stadium
- The opportunity or right to use something or to see someone.
- Transitive Verb
- To be able to use or have permission to use
A2TOEICMoreadopt
US /əˈdɑ:pt/
UK /əˈdɒpt/
- Transitive Verb
- To legally take a child into your family
- To take on responsibility for something
A2TOEICMorearound the world
US /əˈraʊnd ði wɜrld/
UK /əˈraund ðə wɜː(r)ld/
- Phrase
- In or to many countries.
- In various places throughout the world.
A2Moreat least
US /æt list/
UK /æt li:st/
- Adverb
- As a minimum
- Not less than
- Phrase
- No less than; at the minimum
- Used to indicate that something is positive in a bad situation.
C2Moreat the moment
US
UK
- Adverb
- At this time; now
A1Moreban
US /bæn/
UK /bæn/
- Transitive Verb
- To make something illegal or not allowed
- To prohibit someone from participating in a particular online community or game.
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Official action preventing something happening
- A prohibition from participating in a particular online community or game.
B1Morebreak it down
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To simplify something complex into smaller, more manageable parts.
- To explain something in a detailed and understandable way.
A2Moreby the book
US /baɪ ði bʊk/
UK /bai ðə buk/
- Phrase
- According to the rules; strictly
A1Morecatholic
US /ˈkæθəlɪk, ˈkæθlɪk/
UK /ˈkæθlɪk/
- Adjective
- One of many Christian belief systems
- Noun
- Person believing in the Catholic church
B2Morecheck on
US /tʃɛk ɑn/
UK /tʃek ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To check that things are OK, correct
- To make sure someone or something is safe or well.
A1Morecommercial
US /kəˈmɚʃəl/
UK /kəˈmə:ʃəl/
- Noun
- Radio or television advertisement
- Adjective
- A notice, picture, or film telling people about a product, job, or service.
- Designed for or primarily concerned with financial success.
B1Moreconcern
US /kənˈsɚn/
UK /kənˈsɜ:n/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To be about a particular topic
- To have a direct impact on someone
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Company, firm or business
- Feeling of worry or anxiety
A2TOEICMoreconservative
US /kənˈsɚvətɪv/
UK /kənˈsɜ:vətɪv/
- Adjective
- (Of an estimate, price) set fairly low
- Resistant to change
- Noun
- Person with traditional ideas; doesn't like change
B1Morecouple
US /ˈkʌpəl/
UK /'kʌpl/
- Transitive Verb
- To join something to something else
- (Two animals) to engage in sexual relations
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Two people in a romantic relationship
- Two of something; two people; a pair
A2Moredemand
US /dɪˈmænd/
UK /dɪ'mɑ:nd/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Desire customers have to buy product, service
- A strong request for someone to do something
- Transitive Verb
- To strongly request someone to do something
- To need something.
A2TOEICMoredepending on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- Influenced or determined by.
- Preposition
- Subject to; contingent on
- Relying on someone or something for support or assistance.
A2Moredignity
US /ˈdɪgnəti/
UK /ˈdɪgnəti/
- Noun
- Person of high rank deserving respect
- Quality or state of deserving respect
B1TOEICMorediscard
US /dɪˈskɑrd/
UK /dɪs'kɑ:d/
- Transitive Verb
- To take a card out of your hand in a card game
- To throw away something unwanted
B1TOEICMoredonor
US /ˈdoʊnə(r)/
UK /ˈdəʊnə(r)/
- Countable Noun
- Someone giving money or gifts to support a cause
B1Moreembryo
US /ˈɛmbriˌo/
UK /ˈembriəʊ/
- Noun
- Tiny plant stored inside a seed
- Early form of an unborn human or animal
B2Moreethical
US /ˈɛθɪkəl/
UK /ˈeθɪkl/
- Adjective
- Morally right; following principles of goodness
B1Morefall under
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To be included in or classified as part of a specific category or jurisdiction.
A1Morefor example
US
UK
- Phrase
- As an illustration or instance.
for now
US /fɔr naʊ/
UK /fɔ: nau/
- Phrase
- Temporarily; for the present time.
- In the short term; for the immediate future.
A1Morefor rent
US /fɚ rent/
UK /fə rent/
- other
- Available to be rented or leased.
A2Morefor someone
US /fɚ ˈsʌmwʌn/
UK /fə ˈsʌmwʌn/
- other
- On behalf of or intended for a particular person.
A1Moregay
US /ɡeɪ/
UK /geɪ/
- Adjective
- Happy and bright
- Attracted to the same sex; homosexual; lesbian
- Noun
- Person attracted to someone of the same sex
B1Moreget out of
US /ɡɛt aʊt ʌv/
UK /ɡet aut ɔv/
- Phrasal Verb
- To leave or escape responsibilities, troubles
- To leave a small, enclosed vehicle
A1Moregive back
US /ɡɪv bæk/
UK /ɡiv bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To return something you borrowed
A1Moregive up
US /ɡɪv ʌp/
UK /ɡiv ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To lose hope or admit defeat
- To decide to not start to try solving a problem
A1Moregrow up
US /ɡro ʌp/
UK /ɡrəu ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To develop from a child into an adult
A1Moreheterosexual
US /ˌhɛtəroˈsɛkʃuəl/
UK /ˌhetərəˈsekʃuəl/
- Adjective
- Sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex
- Noun
- Person attracted to members of the opposite sex
B2Morein jail
US /ɪn dʒel/
UK /in dʒeil/
- Phrase
- Imprisoned; confined in a jail or prison.
B1Morein terms of
US
UK
- Phrase
- With regard to; concerning a particular aspect.
A1Morein the way
US /ɪn ði we/
UK /in ðə wei/
- Phrase
- Obstructing someone or something; hindering progress.
- Stored or placed so as to be available or ready when needed.
A1Morein the world
US /ɪn ði wɜrld/
UK /in ðə wɜː(r)ld/
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
- Used to indicate the extent or degree of something, often in a superlative sense.
A1Morelook at
US /lʊk æt/
UK /luk æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To use your eyes to focus on something
- To focus your eyes on something carefully
A1Moremassive
US /ˈmæsɪv/
UK /ˈmæsɪv/
- Adjective
- Very big; large; too big
- Large or imposing in scale or scope.
B1Morenecessarily
US /ˌnɛsɪˈsɛrəli, -ˈsɛr-/
UK /ˌnesəˈserəli/
- Adverb
- In a way that is needed/required/is unavoidable
A2TOEICMoreof course
US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/
UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/
- Adverb
- Sure ; Certainly
- Phrase
- For sure; certainly
A2Moreon the way
US /ɑn ði we/
UK /ɔn ðə wei/
- Phrase
- During the journey to a particular place.
A1Moreopposition
US /ˌɑ:pəˈzɪʃn/
UK /ˌɒpəˈzɪʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Act of disagreeing or trying to stop something
- Group that you are fighting or competing against
B1Moreoption
US /ˈɑpʃən/
UK /'ɒpʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- A choice
- A right to buy or sell something at a particular price within a particular period.
A2TOEICMoreout of it
US /aʊt ʌv ɪt/
UK /aut ɔv it/
- Adjective
- Unconscious or not completely alert; dazed or confused.
- Not able to think clearly or react quickly; not with it.
A1Morepolitical
US /pəˈlɪtɪkəl/
UK /pəˈlɪtɪkl/
- Adjective
- Being active or interested in government matters
- Diplomatic
A2Morepregnancy
US /ˈprɛɡnənsi/
UK /ˈpregnənsi/
- Uncountable Noun
- When a woman carries her unborn baby inside her
- A specific instance or period of being pregnant.
B1Morepregnant
US /ˈprɛɡnənt/
UK /ˈpregnənt/
- Adjective
- Carrying your unborn baby inside you
- Full of meaning or significance; suggestive.
B1Moreprocedure
US /prəˈsidʒɚ/
UK /prəˈsi:dʒə(r)/
- Noun
- A medical operation
- Usual or standard steps taken to do something
B1TOEICMoreregulate
US /ˈrɛɡjəˌlet/
UK /ˈregjuleɪt/
- Transitive Verb
- To control something with rules or laws
- To set/adjust (a clock, etc.); restrict motion in
A2TOEICMorerelate
US /rɪˈlet/
UK /rɪ'leɪt/
- Transitive Verb
- To demonstrate a logical relationship between
- To understand or sympathize with, e.g. a problem
A2TOEICMorereligious
US /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/
UK /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/
- Adjective
- Following the rules and beliefs of a faith
- Relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity.
B1Moresevere
US /səˈvɪr/
UK /sɪ'vɪə(r)/
- Adjective
- Very bad; harsh
- (Of clothes, etc.) plain; simple; not decorated
A2TOEICMoresignificant
US /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
UK /sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt/
- Adjective
- Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
- Having meaning; important; noticeable
A2TOEICMorespeak to
US /spik tu/
UK /spi:k tu:/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To address or communicate with someone.
- To indicate or suggest something; to be relevant to.
A1Morestruggle
US /ˈstrʌɡəl/
UK /'strʌɡl/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To try very hard to do something difficult
- To fight or struggle violently
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Strong efforts made to do something difficult
- A difficult or challenging situation or task
A2Moresurrogacy
US /ˈsɜ:rəgəsi/
UK /ˈsʌrəgəsi/
- Uncountable Noun
- Act of being used in place of another
B2Moresurrogate
US /ˈsɜ:rəgət/
UK /ˈsʌrəgət/
- Noun
- Person appointed in the place of another
- Adjective
- Appointed; used in the place of another
B2Moretalking about
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To discuss a particular topic.
- To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
A1Morethanks to
US /θæŋks tu/
UK /θæŋks tu:/
- Preposition
- Because of; as a result of.
A1Moretime off work
US
UK
- Uncountable Noun
- A period when you are not working; absence from work.
- A period of vacation or holiday from employment.
under the radar
US
UK
- Phrase
- Without being noticed; avoiding attention.
- Secret; unnoticed; not attracting attention.
A1Moreuniversal
US /ˌjunəˈvɚsəl/
UK /ˌju:nɪˈvɜ:sl/
- Adjective
- Existing in all places at all times for all people
- Done or experienced by everyone
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Things which apply equally to everyone
- A general term, idea, or concept applicable to many particular things.
A2Moreused to
US /juzd tu/
UK /ˈju:st tə/
- Adjective
- Did regularly before, but don't do now
- Auxiliary Verb
- Have done before, but do not do now
A1Moreuterus
US /ˈjutərəs/
UK /ˈju:tərəs/
- Noun
- Inside part of female animals where young develop
C1Moreworth
US /wɚθ/
UK /wɜ:θ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- the financial, practical or moral value of somebody/something
- having a particular value, especially in money
- Adjective
- Having a specified value.
A2More
Vocabulary
- for example: As an illustration or instance.
- in the world: Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
- talking about: To discuss a particular topic.
- around the world: In or to many countries.
- give back: To return something you borrowed
- for someone: On behalf of or intended for a particular person.
- at the moment: At this time; now
- look at: To use your eyes to focus on something
- give up: To lose hope or admit defeat
- in jail: Imprisoned; confined in a jail or prison.
- for rent: Available to be rented or leased.
- under the radar: Without being noticed; avoiding attention.
- fall under: To be included in or classified as part of a specific category or jurisdiction.
- speak to: To address or communicate with someone.
- thanks to: Because of; as a result of.
- grow up: To develop from a child into an adult
- in terms of
- of course: Sure ; Certainly
- by the book: According to the rules; strictly
- depending on: To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- in the way: Obstructing someone or something; hindering progress.
- used to: Did regularly before, but don't do now
- check on: To check that things are OK, correct
- break it down: To simplify something complex into smaller, more manageable parts.
- time off work: A period when you are not working; absence from work.
- for now: Temporarily; for the present time.
- on the way: During the journey to a particular place.
- get out of: To leave or escape responsibilities, troubles
- out of it: Unconscious or not completely alert; dazed or confused.
- at least: As a minimum
- sort: To organize things by putting them into groups
- struggle: To try very hard to do something difficult
- massive: Very big; large; too big
- significant: Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
- access: Way to enter a place, e.g. a station or stadium
- experience: Thing a person has done or that happened to them
- completely: In every way or as much as possible
- severe: Very bad; harsh
- necessarily: In a way that is needed/required/is unavoidable
- demand: Desire customers have to buy product, service
- commercial: Radio or television advertisement
- dignity: Person of high rank deserving respect
- exist: To be present, alive or real
- worth: the financial, practical or moral value of somebody/something
- political: Being active or interested in government matters
- conservative: (Of an estimate, price) set fairly low
- concern: To be about a particular topic
- pregnant: Carrying your unborn baby inside you
- adopt: To legally take a child into your family
- regulate: To control something with rules or laws
- account: An advantage
- religious: Following the rules and beliefs of a faith
- universal: Existing in all places at all times for all people
- couple: To join something to something else
- option: A choice
- risk: To do something potentially dangerous or foolish
- lead: Wire for electricity, computer, etc.; cable
- relate: To demonstrate a logical relationship between
- abandon: To discard or intentionally get rid of an item
- ethical: Morally right; following principles of goodness
- pregnancy: When a woman carries her unborn baby inside her
- lot: What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
- learn: To get knowledge or skills by study or experience
- allow: To admit the validity or truth of something
- procedure: A medical operation
- act: To behave in a certain way
- government: Group of people and system that rule a nation
- ban: To make something illegal or not allowed
- embryo: Tiny plant stored inside a seed
- legal: Concerning the law; allowed by law
- uterus: Inside part of female animals where young develop
- grow: To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
- hide: To go to, or put a thing where it can't be found
- opposition: Act of disagreeing or trying to stop something
- catholic: One of many Christian belief systems
- discard: To take a card out of your hand in a card game
- surrogate: Person appointed in the place of another
- heterosexual: Sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex
- donor: Someone giving money or gifts to support a cause
- gay: Happy and bright
- surrogacy: Act of being used in place of another
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01:03
She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.
Vocabulary
- brave
adj. Having courage
- comfort zone
phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe
Explanation
a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step".
forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead".
The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.
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brave
US/brev/
UK/breɪv/
adj.Brave
v.t.To bravely face
A2 Elementary
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80
Why are some countries banning surrogacy? - The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service
0
張雯婷 posted on 2025/04/02Ever wondered why some countries are banning surrogacy? This episode of The Global Story dives deep into the complex laws and ethical debates surrounding gestational surrogacy, giving you a fantastic chance to boost your vocabulary on reproductive rights and cultural issues. You'll gain a richer understanding of this global topic while picking up advanced terms and exploring different viewpoints!
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