English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2) — A1 is the friendliest place to start — and browse its words grouped by topic: travel, food, the body, emotions, and more. Each word shows its meaning, example sentences, and US/UK pronunciation.
Choose your level
View all levels
246 words
handy
B1
/ˈhæn.di/
Useful and easy to use.
pace
B1
/peɪs/
The speed at which something happens or moves.
collapse
B1
/kɵˈlæps/
To fall down suddenly because of a loss of support or strength.
tide
B1
/taɪd/
The regular rise and fall of the sea, caused by the pull of the moon and sun.
orbit
B1
/ˈɔɹ.bɪt/
The curved path an object follows as it circles a planet, star, or other body in space.
encounter
B1
/ɪnˈkaʊntɚ/
To experience or be faced with something, especially a problem
phoenix
B1
/ˈfiːnɪks/
A mythical bird that burns itself to ashes and then rises again, born new from the ashes.
Atlantic
B1
/ætˈlæn.tɪk/
The Atlantic Ocean, between the Americas and Europe and Africa.
compromise
B1
/ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪz/
an agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wants
forehead
B1
/ˈfɔɹˌhɛd/
The part of the face above the eyebrows and below the hairline.
bracelet
B1
/ˈbreɪslət/
A band or chain worn around the wrist as decoration.
contain
B1
/kənˈteɪn/
To hold or have something inside.
bounce
B1
/baʊns/
To spring back after hitting a surface.
leadership
B1
/ˈlidɚʃɪp/
The ability or quality of being a good leader.
compound
B1
/ˈkɑmˈpaʊnd/
a substance made by combining two or more elements or ingredients
dot
B1
/dɑt/
A small round mark or spot.
hesitate
B1
/ˈhɛz.ə.teɪt/
To pause before doing something because you are nervous or unsure.
fold
B1
/ˈfɒld/
To bend something so that one part lies over another.
embarrass
B1
/ɪmˈbæɹəs/
To make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or uncomfortable in front of others.
fountain
B1
/[ˈfaʊn.tn̩]/
A structure that shoots water into the air, usually for decoration in a garden or public place.
gap
B1
/ɡɛp/
An empty space or opening between two things.
orchestra
B1
/ˈoɹ.kɪs.tɹə/
A large group of musicians who play instruments together, often including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
surrounding
B1
/səˈɹaʊndɪŋ/
Being all around a place; nearby on every side.
popcorn
B1
/ˈpɑp.kɔɹn/
Corn kernels that burst open and puff up when heated, eaten as a snack.
layer
B1
/ˈleɪ.əɹ/
A single thickness of a material that covers a surface or lies between other things.
phantom
B1
/ˈfæntəm/
A ghost or something that seems to appear but is not really there.
heel
B1
/hil/
The back part of the foot, below the ankle.
farther
B1
/ˈfɑɹðɚ/
At or to a greater distance in space.
opposition
B1
/ˌɑ.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
Strong disagreement with, or resistance to, something.
attraction
B1
/əˈtrækʃən/
A place or event that people enjoy visiting.
sunrise
B1
/ˈsʌnɹaɪz/
The time in the morning when the sun appears above the horizon.
ferry
B1
/ˈfeɹi/
A boat that regularly carries people, vehicles, and goods across water.
comet
B1
/ˈkɒmɪt/
A small icy body in space that travels around the Sun and grows a bright glowing tail as it gets close to it.
backpack
B1
/ˈbæk.pæk/
A bag carried on your back by straps over the shoulders.
sheer
B1
/ʃɪɚ/
Used to emphasize how great or pure an amount, degree, or quality is.
sponsor
B1
/ˈspɑn.sɚ/
A person or company that pays for an event or activity, often in return for advertising.
separation
B1
/ˌsep.əˈɹæɪ.ʃən/
The act of dividing or keeping people or things apart, or the state of being apart.
transportation
B1
/tɹænspɚˈteɪʃən/
The system or means of moving people or goods from one place to another.
teen
B1
/tiːn/
A person between 13 and 19 years old.
aspect
B1
/ˈæspɛkt/
A particular part or feature of something.
relate
B1
/rɪˈleɪt/
To understand and feel sympathy for someone or something.
establishment
B1
/ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
A business or organization, or the place where it operates.
partial
B1
/ˈpɑɹʃəl/
Not complete; only a part of the whole.
neutral
B1
/ˈnuː.tɹəl/
Not supporting either side in an argument or conflict.
debris
B1
/dəˈbɹiː/
Scattered broken pieces left after something is destroyed or breaks apart.
flute
B1
/flu(ː)t/
A musical instrument shaped like a long tube, played by blowing across a hole near one end.
glance
B1
/ɡlæns/
To look at something quickly and briefly.
haunt
B1
/hɔnt/
(of a ghost) To appear repeatedly in a place.
bakery
B1
/ˈbeɪ.kə.ɹi/
A place where bread, cakes, and pastries are made and sold.
admission
B1
/ədˈmɪʃən/
A statement saying that something, often unpleasant, is true.
slot
B1
/slɑt/
A narrow opening, such as one for inserting a coin.
sponge
B1
/spʌnd͡ʒ/
A soft, porous material used for washing or soaking up liquid.
calf
B1
/kæf/
A young cow.
runaway
B1
/ˈɹʌnəweɪ/
A person, especially a young one, who has left home or escaped without permission.
surround
B1
/səˈɹaʊnd/
To be all around something or someone on every side.
obstacle
B1
/ˈɑbstəkəl/
Something that makes it difficult to do or achieve something.
arise
B1
/əˈɹaɪz/
To happen or start to exist, especially a problem or situation.
regain
B1
/ɹiːˈɡeɪn/
To get back something you had lost.
postcard
B1
/ˈpoʊstˌkɑɹd/
A card sent by mail without an envelope, often with a picture on one side.
reef
B1
/ɹiːf/
A ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the sea.
diaper
B1
/ˈdaɪ(ə)pɚ/
A soft cloth or padded garment worn around a baby's bottom to absorb urine and waste; a nappy.
nod
B1
/nɑd/
To move your head down and up to show agreement, greeting, or understanding.
Mediterranean
B1
/ˌmɛdɪtəˈɹeɪnɪən/
Relating to the Mediterranean Sea and the countries around it.
accidental
B1
/ˌæk.sɪˈdɛn.tl̩/
Happening by chance and not on purpose.
northwest
B1
/nɔɹθˈwɛst/
The direction halfway between north and west.
install
B1
/ɪnˈstɔl/
To put a piece of equipment somewhere and prepare it so it is ready to use.
extinct
B1
/ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
No longer existing, with no living members left.
hasty
B1
/ˈheɪsti/
Done quickly and without enough thought or care.
occupy
B1
/ˈɑkjəpaɪ/
To fill or take up a space or amount of time.
southeast
B1
/ˌsaʊˈθiːst/
The compass point halfway between south and east.
slope
B1
/sloʊp/
A surface or piece of ground that goes up or down at an angle.
spiral
B1
/ˈspɑɪɹəl/
A curve that winds around a central point, getting wider or moving along as it turns.
frequent
B1
/ˈfriːkwənt/
Happening or doing something often.
canteen
B1
/kænˈtin/
A place where meals are served in a school, factory, or other workplace.
prominent
B1
/ˈpɹɑmɪnənt/
Important and well known.
parcel
B1
/ˈpɑɹsəl/
An object wrapped up to be sent or carried, especially by post.
southwest
B1
/saʊθˈwɛst/
The compass point halfway between south and west.
downhill
B1
/ˌdaʊnˈhɪl/
toward the bottom of a hill or slope
northeast
B1
/ˌnɔrˈθiːst/
The direction halfway between north and east.
shortage
B1
/ˈʃɔː(ɹ)tɪd͡ʒ/
A situation in which there is not enough of something.
hostel
B1
/ˈhɑstəl/
A cheap place to stay where you share rooms and facilities with other travellers.
tendency
B1
/ˈten.dən.si/
A likelihood of behaving or happening in a particular way.
uncover
B1
/ʌnˈkʌvɚ/
To find out and reveal something that was hidden or secret.
middle-aged
B1
/ˌmɪdl̩ˈeɪd͡ʒd/
Being roughly between 45 and 65 years old; neither young nor old.
retain
B1
/ɹəˈteɪn/
To keep or continue to have something.
handshake
B1
/ˈhæn(d)ˌʃeɪk/
The act of two people holding and shaking each other's hand as a greeting or to agree on something.
appoint
B1
/əˈpɔɪnt/
To officially choose someone for a job or position.
waterfall
B1
/ˈwɔtɚfɔl/
A place where water flows down over the edge of a cliff or steep rocks.
assign
B1
/əˈsaɪn/
To give someone a particular task or job to do.
outdoor
B1
/ˈaʊtˌdɔr/
Existing, happening, or used in the open air rather than inside a building.
indoors
B1
/ɪnˈdɔɹz/
Inside a building, rather than outside.
outdoors
B1
/aʊtˈdɔː(ɹ)z/
In or into the open air, not inside a building.
genetically
B1
/d͡ʒəˈneɾɪkli/
In a way relating to genes or genetics.
fasten
B1
/ˈfæsn̩/
To join or attach two things firmly together.
crossroads
B1
/ˈkrɔsˌroʊdz/
A place where two or more roads cross each other.
tyre
B1
/ˈtaɪɝ/
The rubber ring fitted around a wheel, usually filled with air.