Architecture & Buildings
Building styles, structural elements, construction materials, and designed spaces.
71 words
Download MarkdownSome words in this topic are A2–C2 — part of Pro. A1 words are always free.
Go ProA1 (5)
building
A1
/ˈbɪl.dɪŋ/
A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or office
M
S
floor
A1
/flɔɹ/
The flat surface you walk on inside a room or building.
M
S
wall
A1
/wɔl/
A solid upright structure that forms a side of a room or building, or divides one space from another.
M
S
glass
A1
/ɡlæs/
A hard, transparent material used for windows and bottles.
M
S
design
A1
/dɪˈzaɪn/
A plan or drawing showing how something will be made or how it will work.
M
S
A2 (9) Pro
stone
A2
/stoʊ̯n/
The hard substance that rock is made of, often used as a building material.
M
S
roof
A2
/ɹuːf/
The covering on top of a building that protects it from rain and weather.
M
S
castle
A2
/ˈkæsəl/
A large strong building with thick walls, built in the past to defend against attack.
M
S
palace
A2
/ˈpæl.ɪs/
A large, grand building where a king, queen, or other ruler lives.
M
S
tower
A2
/ˈtaʊɚ/
A tall, narrow structure, either standing alone or part of a building.
M
S
structure
A2
/ˈstɹʌkt͡ʃɚ/
The way the parts of something are arranged or organised.
M
S
column
A2
/ˈkɑləm/
A tall, vertical post used to support a building or as decoration.
M
S
balcony
A2
/ˈbælkəni/
A platform that sticks out from the wall of a building, usually with a railing, where you can stand outside.
M
S
architecture
A2
/ˈɑɹ.kɪˌtɛk.t͡ʃɚ/
The art and practice of designing buildings.
M
S
B1 (12) Pro
steel
B1
/stiːl/
A strong, hard metal made from iron, used in building and tools.
M
S
construction
B1
/kənˈstɹʌkʃən/
The act or process of building something.
M
S
brick
B1
/ˈbɹɪk/
A hard rectangular block of baked clay used for building.
M
S
foundation
B1
/ˌfæʊ̯nˈdeɪ̯ʃən/
The solid structure built underground that supports a building.
M
S
ceiling
B1
/ˈsilɪŋ/
The inside surface at the top of a room.
M
S
hallway
B1
/ˈhɔːlˌweɪ/
an interior passage in a building from which doors lead into rooms
M
S
architect
B1
/ˈɑɹ.kɪˌtɛkt/
A person whose job is to design buildings and oversee their construction.
M
S
monument
B1
/ˈmɑnjʊmənt/
A structure built to remember a person or event.
M
S
proportion
B1
/pɹəˈpɔɹʃən/
A part of a whole, especially when compared to the rest.
M
S
arcade
B1
/ɑrˈkeɪd/
a place containing coin-operated or electronic games for public entertainment
M
S
stairway
B1
/ˈstɛrweɪ/
a passage containing a flight or series of stairs between different levels
M
S
skyscraper
B1
/ˈskaɪˌskɹeɪpɚ/
A very tall building with many floors.
M
S
B2 (10) Pro
beam
B2
/biːm/
A long, thick piece of wood or metal used to support a building or structure.
M
S
concrete
B2
/ˌkɑnˈkɹit/
a hard building material made by mixing cement, sand, and water
M
S
mansion
B2
/ˈmæn.ʃən/
A very large, grand, and expensive house.
M
S
corridor
B2
/ˈkɔɹəˌdɔɹ/
A long, narrow passage inside a building with rooms leading off it.
M
S
terrace
B2
/ˈtɛɹəs/
A flat, usually paved outdoor area next to a house or restaurant.
M
S
cathedral
B2
/kəˈθiːdɹəl/
A large and important Christian church, especially the main one in a region run by a bishop.
M
S
arch
B2
/ɑɹt͡ʃ/
A curved structure that spans an opening and supports the weight above it.
M
S
decoration
B2
/ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/
Something added to make a place or object look more attractive.
M
S
mortar
B2
/ˈmɔrtɝ/
A paste of cement, sand and water that holds bricks or stones together as it dries.
M
S
ornament
B2
/ˈɔɹnəmənt/
An object used to decorate something and make it more attractive.
M
S
C1 (11) Pro
courtyard
C1
/ˈkɔɹt.jɑɹd/
An area, open to the sky, partially or wholly surrounded by walls or buildings.
M
S
timber
C1
/ˈtɪmbɚ/
Wood prepared for building or making things.
M
S
restoration
C1
/ɹɛstəˈɹeɪʃən/
The act of returning something to its original or former condition.
M
S
ventilation
C1
/ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
The process of letting fresh air into a room or building and removing stale air.
M
S
pavilion
C1
/pəˈvɪl.jən/
a light, often open-sided roofed structure used for shelter or recreation in a park, garden, or public place
M
S
architectural
C1
/ˌɑɹkɪˈtɛkt͡ʃəɹəl/
Relating to the design and construction of buildings.
M
S
gothic
C1
/ˈɡɑθɪk/
of a European architectural style marked by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and high, elaborate structures
M
S
gable
C1
/ˈɡeɪbəl/
the usually triangular upper part of an exterior wall between the sloping sides of a roof
M
S
niche
C1
/niʃ/
A specialized area or position that suits a person or business well.
M
S
ornamental
C1
/ˌɔɹ.nəˈmɛn.təl/
Used for decoration rather than for any practical purpose.
M
S
atrium
C1
/ˈeɪ.tɹi.əm/
a large central space inside a building, often open through several floors and lit from above
M
S
C2 (11) Pro
vault
C2
/vɑlt/
to jump across or leap over an obstacle
M
S
baroque
C2
/bəˈɹoʊk/
In the highly decorated, dramatic style of European art and music of about 1600 to 1750.
M
S
cloister
C2
/ˈklɔɪstɚ/
A covered walkway around an open courtyard, usually in a monastery or cathedral
M
S
alcove
C2
/ˈæl.koʊv/
a small recessed area opening from a larger room or other interior space
M
S
spire
C2
/ˈspaɪ.ɚ/
A tall, pointed structure on top of a tower or church roof.
M
S
eave
C2
/iːv/
the lower edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall of a building
M
S
minaret
C2
/ˌmɪnəˈret/
a tall, slender tower attached to or standing near a mosque, traditionally used for the call to prayer
M
S
colonnade
C2
/ˌkɒləˈneɪd/
a row of regularly spaced columns supporting a roof or entablature
M
S
brickwork
C2
/ˈbrɪkwɝːk/
bricks set in mortar as part of a wall or building; masonry made from bricks
M
S
cornice
C2
/ˈkoɹnɪs/
a horizontal moulded projection that crowns a building, wall, or classical entablature
M
S
pediment
C2
/ˈpɛd.ɪ.mənt/
a triangular architectural feature above columns, a doorway, or a window, especially in classical buildings
M
S
C2+ (13) Pro
staircase
C2+
/ˈstɛɹˌkeɪs/
a way of access, upward and downward, consisting of a set of steps
M
S
blueprint
C2+
/ˈbluˌprɪnt/
a detailed plan or technical drawing serving as a model
M
S
insulation
C2+
/ˌɪnsəˈleɪʃən/
material used to prevent the passage of heat, sound, or electricity
M
S
renovate
C2+
/ˈrɛnəveɪt/
to restore to good condition; refurbish
M
S
steeple
C2+
/ˈstipəl/
a tall tower with a spire on top of a church
M
S
buttress
C2+
/ˈbʌtrəs/
a support projecting from a wall; to reinforce or strengthen
M
S
dome
C2+
/doʊm/
a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure
M
S
facade
C2+
/fəˈsɑd/
the front exterior of a building, or a deceptive outward appearance
M
S
lintel
C2+
/ˈlɪntl/
a horizontal beam across the top of a door or window
M
S
masonry
C2+
/ˈmeɪsənri/
stonework or brickwork; the craft of building with such materials
M
S
pillar
C2+
/ˈpɪlɚ/
an upright vertical support, or a person regarded as a mainstay
M
S
portico
C2+
/ˈpɔrtɪˌkoʊ/
a roofed structure supported by columns at the entrance of a building
M
S
symmetry
C2+
/ˈsɪmətri/
balanced and proportionate similarity between the parts of something
M
S
More topics
Grammar & Function Words
319 words
Small words that connect, point, compare, negate, and structure sentences.
Numbers & Quantity
81 words
Counting, amounts, proportions, and the language of how much.
Space, Position & Direction
119 words
Where things are, how they are arranged, and which way they face.
Time
92 words
Hours, dates, seasons, frequency, and the words for when things happen.
People & Society
2185 words
People, roles, communities, identity, and social life.
Family & Relationships
172 words
Parents, siblings, partners, friends, and the wider web of kin.