The Vocabulary Files C1 — Unit 1

1. relish 

📌 I relished the silence after my students had left, finally enjoying a moment of peace. (v)

to enjoy greatly

📌 There's a certain relish in mastering something that once seemed impossible. (n)

great enjoyment or appreciation

2. chivalrous /ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/

📌 His chivalrous gesture of offering his seat to the elderly woman earned him a grateful smile. (a)

being polite, respectful, and helpful

3. bold 

📌 Launching a startup in such a competitive market was a bold move, but it paid off. (a)

being brave, confident, and not afraid to take risks.

4. daring

📌 He made a daring choice to quit his job and travel the world with no fixed plan. (a)

being brave and willing to take risks, especially when doing something new, dangerous, or unexpected.

5. handicap 

📌 A lack of access to education remains a significant handicap for many children around the world. (n)

a difficulty or disadvantage that makes it harder for someone to do something. It can refer to a physical, mental, or situational challenge

6. hardship

📌 Despite financial hardship, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a doctor. (n)

a situation that is difficult or painful, especially when it involves suffering, poverty, or struggle over a period of time.

7. hassle /ˈhæs.əl/

📌 She moved closer to work to avoid the daily hassle of commuting through heavy traffic. (n)

📌 I don’t want to hassle you, but we really need that report by the end of the day. (v)

 a situation that causes difficulty, trouble, or inconvenience. It can also refer to arguing or pressuring someone in some contexts.

8. hindrance /ˈhɪn.drəns/

📌 Fear of failure is a common hindrance to personal and professional growth. (n)

something that makes it more difficult to do something or slows down progress.

📌 I see no reason why your age should be a hindrance to pursuing a new career.

9. loathe /loʊð/

📌 Although he loathes confrontation, he knew he had to speak up this time. (v)

strongly hate or feel intense dislike for someone or something.

📌 I absolutely loathe being the center of attention, even in small groups.

10. slack 

📌 The rope was too slack to support the weight, so we had to tighten it before climbing. (a)
not putting in enough effort, or loose, slow, or careless. It can describe work, discipline, or even physical tension.

📌 His performance has become increasingly slack, and it’s affecting the whole department.

11. pious /ˈpaɪ.əs/

📌 She made a pious commitment to live simply and help the poor after her spiritual retreat. 

being deeply religious or devoted to religious practices. It can also mean acting morally or pretending to be virtuous, sometimes in an insincere way.

12. defiant /dɪˈfaɪənt/

📌 She gave a defiant speech criticizing the new policy, knowing full well it could cost her job.

openly refusing to obey someone or something, often in a bold, rebellious, or challenging way.

📌 His defiant attitude in court only worsened the judge’s impression of him.

13. localize /ˈloʊ.kə.laɪz/

📌 Doctors were able to localize the infection before it spread to other organs.

to limit something to a specific area or adapt something for a particular place or culture.

📌 The app was localized for the Japanese market, with translations and cultural adjustments.

14. luxurious /lʌɡˈʒɜːriəs/

📌 They spent their honeymoon in a luxurious resort overlooking the turquoise sea. /ˈtɝː.kɔɪz/ 

to limit something to a specific area or adapt something for a particular place or culture.

15. luxuriant /lʌɡˈʒʊriənt/

📌  The rainforest was filled with luxuriant vegetation,  

rich, thick, and growing in a healthy or impressive way. It's often used to describe plants, hair, or landscapes.

📌 Even in the heart of the city, a luxuriant rooftop garden brought a sense of peace and natural beauty.