SPELLING CONTEST 2024

EASY

### 1. **Acquaintance** a-kweyn-tans

- *Definition:* A person you know, but who is not a close friend.
- *Sentence:* I met an old acquaintance at the party last weekend.

### 2. **Apprehensive** apreˈhensiv

- *Definition:* Anxious or fearful about the future.
- *Sentence:* She was apprehensive about the upcoming exam.

### 3. **Beneficial** bene-fish-al

- *Definition:* Having a good effect; advantageous.
- *Sentence:* Regular exercise is beneficial to your health.

### 4. **Cautious** co-shas

- *Definition:* Careful to avoid danger or mistakes.
- *Sentence:* He was cautious when crossing the busy street.

### 5. **Comprehend** kam-pri-hend

- *Definition:* To understand or grasp the meaning of something.
- *Sentence:* It took me a while to comprehend the lesson.

### 6. **Deficiency** di-fi-shan-si

- *Definition:* A lack or shortage of something.
- *Sentence:* The doctor found a vitamin D deficiency in my blood test.

### 7. **Diversity** duh-ver-si-tee

- *Definition:* The state of having many different elements or qualities.
- *Sentence:* The city is known for its cultural diversity.

### 8. **Elaborate** e-lab-ret/ e-lab-reyt

- *Definition:* To explain in greater detail.
- *Sentence:* Can you elaborate on your point during the presentation?

### 9. **Endorse** in-dors / en dors

- *Definition:* To approve or support something publicly.
- *Sentence:* The coach endorsed the new training program.

### 10. **Exaggerate** ig -zaji- reyt

- *Definition:* To describe something as larger or greater than it really is.
- *Sentence:* He tends to exaggerate the difficulty of the homework.
### 11. **Fascinate** fa-sa-neyt
- *Definition:* To attract and hold the attention of someone intensely.
- *Sentence:* The idea of space travel fascinates me.

### 12. **Gratitude** gra-da-tood

- *Definition:* The quality of being thankful.
- *Sentence:* She expressed her gratitude for the help she received.

### 13. **Hesitate** he-za-teyt

- *Definition:* To pause before doing something, often due to uncertainty.
- *Sentence:* He hesitated before answering the difficult question.

### 14. **Inhibit** in-hi-be/at

- *Definition:* To hold back or restrain.
- *Sentence:* The strict rules inhibit students from expressing themselves freely.

### 15. **Yearning – yar-ning

Meaning: A strong desire or longing.
Sentence: She felt a yearning for adventure and hoped to travel the world.
### 16. **Judicious** joo-dishas
- *Definition:* Showing good judgment or sense.
- *Sentence:* The judge made a judicious decision in the case.

### 17. **Manipulate** ma-nip-ya-leyt

- *Definition:* To control or influence someone or something cleverly or unfairly.
- *Sentence:* He tried to manipulate the results of the competition.

### 18. **Momentary** mow-man-tere

- *Definition:* Lasting for a very short time.
- *Sentence:* The power outage was momentary, and everything was restored quickly.

### 19. **Obvious** ab-veas

- *Definition:* Easily perceived or understood; clear.
- *Sentence:* It was obvious that she was upset after hearing the news.

### 20. **Occasionally** ah-key-sha-na-ly

- *Definition:* Happening from time to time; not regularly.
- *Sentence:* We occasionally go on family trips during the holidays.
### 21. **Permanent** per-ma-nent
- *Definition:* Lasting or intended to last for a long time.
- *Sentence:* The tattoo was a permanent reminder of her trip.

### 22. **Preliminary** pre’-li-mi-na-ry

- *Definition:* Preparing for something more important.
- *Sentence:* The preliminary results showed that the experiment was successful.

### 23. Malicious – Ma- li-shas

Meaning : having the nature of or resulting from malice
Sentence: Someone who is malicious enjoys hurting or embarrassing others.

### 24. **Procrastinate** pra-kras-ti-neyt

- *Definition:* To delay doing something, usually because of laziness or avoidance.
- *Sentence:* He tends to procrastinate on his homework until the last minute.

### 25. **Reluctant** ruh-lak-tant

- *Definition:* Unwilling or hesitant to do something.
- *Sentence:* She was reluctant to leave the party early.

### 26. **Reputable** reh’-pyoo-ta-ble

- *Definition:* Having a good reputation; trustworthy.
- *Sentence:* The company is known for being reputable in the industry.

### 27. **Resilient** ra-zi-lient

- *Definition:* Able to recover quickly from difficulties.
- *Sentence:* She is resilient, always bouncing back after setbacks.

### 28. **Sufficient** sa-fi-shant

- *Definition:* Adequate or enough to meet the needs.
- *Sentence:* We have a sufficient amount of food for the picnic.

### 29. **Tolerate** ta-la-rate

- *Definition:* To allow something to exist or happen without interference.
- *Sentence:* She doesn’t tolerate disrespectful behavior.

### 30. **Vulnerable** val-na-ra-ble

- *Definition:* Capable of being harmed or hurt.
- *Sentence:* The old house is vulnerable to strong winds and heavy rain.
AVERAGE

### 1. **Aberration** a-ba-rey-shan

- *Definition:* A departure from what is normal or expected.
- *Sentence:* The sudden snowstorm in spring was an aberration.

### 2. **Adversary** adver-sere

- *Definition:* One’s opponent in a contest or dispute.
- *Sentence:* In the debate, she faced a strong adversary who challenged her
arguments.

### 3. **Allegiance** a-li-jans

- *Definition:* Loyalty or commitment to a cause or group.
- *Sentence:* The knight pledged allegiance to his king.

### 4. **Apathy** a-pa-thy

- *Definition:* Lack of interest or enthusiasm.
- *Sentence:* His apathy toward the project showed in his minimal effort.

### 5. ** 31. Ursine - Er-sayn

Meaning: having similarities to bears.
Sentence: Many people think of koalas as ursine animals

### 6. Immense – i-mens

Meaning: Extremely large or great.
Sentence: The mountain range was immense and stretched as far as the eye could
see.
### 7. **Ascertain** asar-tein
- *Definition:* To find out for certain; to make sure of.
- *Sentence:* The scientist worked to ascertain the cause of the reaction.

### 8. **Benevolent** ba-ne-valent

- *Definition:* Well-meaning and kindly.
- *Sentence:* The benevolent teacher often stayed late to help her students.

### 9. **Camouflage** ca-ma-flage

- *Definition:* Concealing something by making it blend in with its surroundings.
- *Sentence:* The lizard’s green skin provided perfect camouflage in the forest.

### 10. **Candid** candad

- *Definition:* Honest and straightforward.
- *Sentence:* She appreciated his candid feedback about her project.
### 11. **Clairvoyant** clair-vo-yant
- *Definition:* Able to predict future events or beyond normal sensory contact.
- *Sentence:* The clairvoyant claimed to have seen the future.

### 12. **Lumbago(Lam-be-go)

Meaning: backache affecting the lower back;
Sentence: Last I heard, she thinks she has lumbago.

### 13. **Surveillance (surveylans)

Meaning: The close observation of someone
Sentence: The surveillance camera was focused on their area.

### 14. **Consequence** kan-se-kwens

- *Definition:* A result or effect of an action.
- *Sentence:* She understood that failing to study would have consequences.

### 15. **Conspicuous** con-spi-kyoo-as

- *Definition:* Easily seen or noticed.
- *Sentence:* Her bright red coat made her conspicuous in the crowd.

### 16. **Deceive** da-ceive

- *Definition:* To make someone believe something that is not true.
- *Sentence:* He tried to deceive his friends about where he had been.

### 17. **Deteriorate** da-teria-rate

- *Definition:* To become progressively worse.
- *Sentence:* The abandoned building began to deteriorate over time.

### 18. Unanimous -yoo-na-na-mas

Meaning: Fully in agreement.
Sentence: The decision to extend the deadline was unanimous among the team
members.
### 19. Meticulous -ma-ti-kyu-las
Meaning: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Sentence: The artist was meticulous in painting each tiny detail of the portrait.
### 20. **Eccentric** ik-centrik
- *Definition:* Unconventional and slightly strange.
- *Sentence:* The artist’s eccentric personality made her stand out.
### 21. **Empathy** em-pa-thy
- *Definition:* The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
- *Sentence:* Her empathy made her a supportive friend.

### 22. **Zealous ze-las

Meaning: Showing great enthusiasm or passion for something.
Sentence: The zealous fan cheered loudly for his favorite team.
### 23. **Exquisite** eks-kwi-sat
- *Definition:* Extremely beautiful and delicate.
- *Sentence:* The dress was made from exquisite silk.

### 24. **Frivolous** fri-va-las

- *Definition:* Not having any serious purpose or value.
- *Sentence:* Buying another pair of shoes seemed frivolous.

### 25. **Genuine** Jen-yu-an

- *Definition:* Real and sincere.
- *Sentence:* His smile was genuine, showing true happiness.

### 26. **Haphazard** hap -hazard

- *Definition:* Lacking any order or planning.
- *Sentence:* The books were piled in a haphazard way on the floor.

### 27. **Hypocrite** hi-pa-krit

- *Definition:* A person who claims to have certain beliefs but acts in a way that
contradicts them.
- *Sentence:* Calling for honesty while lying made him seem like a hypocrite.

### 28. **Inevitable** in -evi-ta-ble

- *Definition:* Certain to happen; unavoidable.
- *Sentence:* Change is inevitable in life.

### 29. **Nauseous - noh-shas

Meaning: Feeling sick or like you might vomit.
Sentence: The strong smell of the garbage made her feel nauseous.
### 30. **Defiant -da-fyant
Meaning: Showing resistance or disobedience.
Sentence: His defiant attitude made it difficult for him to follow the rules.
DIFFICULT

### 1. **Acquiesce** a -kwee- es

- *Definition:* To accept something reluctantly but without protest.
- *Sentence:* She decided to acquiesce to their demands to avoid further conflict.

### 2. **Ambiguous** am-bi-gya-was

- *Definition:* Open to more than one interpretation; unclear.
- *Sentence:* The ending of the novel was ambiguous, leaving readers with many
questions.

### 3. **Austere** oh! -stir

- *Definition:* Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.
- *Sentence:* The austere decor of the room made it feel cold and unwelcoming.

### 4. **Belligerent** ba-li-je-rant

- *Definition:* Hostile and aggressive.
- *Sentence:* His belligerent behavior made it difficult to resolve the disagreement.

### 5. **Bureaucracy** byoo-rakra-se

- *Definition:* A complex system of administration marked by official rules and
procedures.
- *Sentence:* The company’s bureaucracy made it hard to get anything approved
quickly.

### 6. **Capricious** ca-pri-shas

- *Definition:* Given to sudden and unaccountable changes in mood or behavior.
- *Sentence:* His capricious nature made it difficult to predict his reactions.

### 7. **Cognizant** kag-na-zant

- *Definition:* Having knowledge or being aware of something.
- *Sentence:* She was cognizant of the risks involved in the experiment.

### 8. **Conscientious** can- she-en-shoes

- *Definition:* Wishing to do one’s work well and thoroughly.
- *Sentence:* His conscientious approach to his studies earned him top marks.

### 9. **Conundrum** ca-nan-dram

- *Definition:* A confusing and difficult problem or question.
- *Sentence:* Deciding on a major was a real conundrum for her.

### 10. **Cumbersome** cam-bar-sam

- *Definition:* Large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use.
- *Sentence:* The cumbersome equipment made it challenging to navigate the narrow
hallways.
### 11. **Deleterious** dela-tir-yas
- *Definition:* Causing harm or damage.
- *Sentence:* Smoking has a deleterious effect on health.

### 12. **Disseminate** da-semi-nate

- *Definition:* To spread or disperse widely.
- *Sentence:* The organization works to disseminate information on environmental
issues.

### 13. **Ebullient** ih-bool-yant

- *Definition:* Cheerful and full of energy.
- *Sentence:* Her ebullient personality made her well-liked by her peers.

### 14. **Egregious** i-grijas

- *Definition:* Outstandingly bad or shocking.
- *Sentence:* The referee’s egregious error affected the outcome of the game.

### 15. **Ephemeral** ea-fehm-ral

- *Definition:* Lasting for a very short time.
- *Sentence:* The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, blooming only for a
week.

### 16. **Esoteric** esa-terik

- *Definition:* Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people
with a specific knowledge.
- *Sentence:* The professor’s lecture was filled with esoteric references that confused
most students.

### 17. **Euphemism** yoo-fa-mi-zam

- *Definition:* A mild or indirect word substituted for one considered to be harsh or
blunt.
- *Sentence:* “Passed away” is a common euphemism for “died.”

### 18. **Fastidious** fas-ti-di-yas

- *Definition:* Very attentive to detail; hard to please.
- *Sentence:* Her fastidious nature made her an excellent editor.

### 19. **Fortuitous** for-tui-tas

- *Definition:* Happening by a lucky chance; fortunate.
- *Sentence:* It was a fortuitous coincidence that they both attended the same
concert.

### 20. **Garrulous** ge-re-las

- *Definition:* Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
- *Sentence:* His garrulous nature made it difficult to keep conversations short.
### 21. **Incongruous** in -kang-groo-as
- *Definition:* Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects.
- *Sentence:* The bright pink building was incongruous in the historic neighborhood.

### 22. **Indigenous** in-di-ja-nas

- *Definition:* Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
- *Sentence:* The plant is indigenous to the region and found nowhere else.

### 23. **Absinthe -ab-sinth

Definition: A highly alcoholic drink made from wormwood and other herbs,
historically associated with artists and writers.
Sentence: The artist was known to drink absinthe in his studio while working late into
the night.
### 24. **Magnanimous** mag-na-na-mas
- *Definition:* Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.
- *Sentence:* She was magnanimous in victory, praising her opponent’s efforts.

### 25. **Obfuscate** abfa-skate

- *Definition:* To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
- *Sentence:* The report seemed to obfuscate the true reasons behind the company’s
decision.

### 26. **Ostentatious** as -tan-tey-shas

- *Definition:* Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress.
- *Sentence:* His ostentatious lifestyle was meant to display his wealth.

### 27. **Perfunctory** per-fangk-tree

- *Definition:* Carried out with minimal effort or reflection.
- *Sentence:* She gave a perfunctory nod before moving on to the next person.

### 28. **Precipitate** pre’-ci-pi-teyt

- *Definition:* To cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.
- *Sentence:* The announcement of layoffs could precipitate further issues in the
company.

### 29. **Recalcitrant** ri-cal-sa-trant

- *Definition:* Having an uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
- *Sentence:* The recalcitrant student refused to follow the teacher’s instructions.

### 30. **Sycophant** si-ca-fant

- *Definition:* A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to
gain advantage.
- *Sentence:* He was known as a sycophant, always flattering the boss to gain favors.
TIE BREAKER

### 1. **Abscond**
- *Meaning:* To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest.
- *Sentence:* The thief absconded with the jewelry before the police arrived.

### 2. **Altruistic**
- *Meaning:* Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others.
- *Sentence:* Her altruistic behavior inspired the entire community to volunteer.

### 3. **Annihilate**
- *Meaning:* To destroy completely.
- *Sentence:* The fire annihilated the building, leaving nothing but rubble behind.

### 4. **Bourgeois**
- *Meaning:* Relating to the middle class, often used to describe materialistic or
conventional values.
- *Sentence:* The artist rejected bourgeois values and focused on portraying social
inequality.

### 5. **Cacophony**
- *Meaning:* A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
- *Sentence:* The cacophony of car horns in the busy city street was deafening.

### 6. **Chicanery**
- *Meaning:* The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.
- *Sentence:* The politician’s speech was full of chicanery, designed to mislead the
voters.

### 7. **Disenfranchise**
- *Meaning:* To deprive someone of the right to vote or other privileges.
- *Sentence:* The new law disenfranchised many citizens, especially in low-income
neighborhoods.

### 8. **Flabbergasted**
- *Meaning:* Extremely surprised or shocked.
- *Sentence:* She was flabbergasted when she found out she had won the
scholarship.
### 9. ** Laud (lod)
Meaning: A praise
Sentence: An actor received all the laud and honor that the theater world could bestow.
### 10. **Impecunious**
- *Meaning:* Having little or no money.
- *Sentence:* Despite his impecunious condition, he always remained cheerful and
hopeful.
### 11. **Lugubrious**
- *Meaning:* Looking or sounding sad and dismal.
- *Sentence:* His lugubrious expression made everyone feel uneasy at the party.

### 12. **Nefarious**

- *Meaning:* Wicked or criminal.
- *Sentence:* The villain’s nefarious plot was eventually uncovered by the detective.

### 13. **Paraphernalia**

- *Meaning:* Equipment or items needed for a particular activity or purpose.
- *Sentence:* The campers packed all their hiking paraphernalia before heading into
the mountains.

### 14. **Pernicious**

- *Meaning:* Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
- *Sentence:* The pernicious effects of smoking can lead to serious health problems.

### 15. **Quixotic**

- *Meaning:* Extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
- *Sentence:* His quixotic quest to save the world was noble, but ultimately doomed to
fail.

### 16. **Sesquipedalian**

- *Meaning:* (Of a word) long and characterized by the use of long words.
- *Sentence:* The professor's sesquipedalian lecture left the students struggling to
keep up.

### 17. **Zephyr**

- *Meaning:* A gentle, mild breeze, especially one from the west.
- *Sentence:* The warm zephyr carried the scent of blooming flowers through the air.

18. Mnemonic
Definition: A device or technique used to aid memory.
Sentence: He created a mnemonic to help remember the names of the planets.

19. Onomatopoeia
Definition: The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named,
like "buzz" or "clang."
Sentence: "Boom" and "sizzle" are examples of onomatopoeia in the poem.
20. Czechoslovakia
Definition: A former country in Central Europe that split into two countries, the Czech
Republic and Slovakia, in 1993.
Sentence: Czechoslovakia was a powerful force in Central Europe before its peaceful
dissolution