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.
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336 words
weakness
B1
/ˈwik.nɪs/
The state of not being physically or mentally strong.
wagon
B1
/ˈwæɡən/
A large four-wheeled vehicle, usually pulled by horses, used to carry heavy goods.
sheet
B1
/ʃiːt/
A large piece of thin cloth put on a bed under and over the sleeper.
pillow
B1
/ˈpɪl.oʊ/
A soft cushion that you rest your head on in bed.
alike
B1
/əˈlaɪk/
Very similar to each other.
bump
B1
/bʌmp/
To hit something accidentally, usually with a knock
broad
B1
/bɹɔd/
Very wide.
stare
B1
/stɛɚ/
To look at someone or something for a long time with your eyes wide open.
puppy
B1
/ˈpʌpi/
A young dog.
practical
B1
/ˈpræktɪkəl/
Useful and suitable for a real situation rather than just theory.
marked
B1
/mɑɹkt/
Clearly noticeable; easy to see.
rubber
B1
/ˈɹʌbɚ/
A strong, stretchy material made from the sap of a tree or made artificially.
silk
B1
/sɪlk/
A soft, smooth, expensive cloth woven from threads made by silkworms.
pale
B1
/ˈpeɪl/
Light in colour, not strong or bright.
drum
B1
/ˈdɹʌm/
A musical instrument that you hit with sticks or your hands to make a beat.
barrel
B1
/ˈbæɹəl/
A large round container with flat ends, used for storing liquids like beer or oil.
faint
B1
/ˈfeɪnt/
Hard to see, hear, or notice; not strong or clear.
narrow
B1
/ˈnæɹ.oʊ/
Small in width; not wide.
glorious
B1
/ˈɡlɔɹ.i.əs/
Beautiful and impressive.
slight
B1
/slaɪt/
Very small in amount or degree.
stream
B1
/stɹiːm/
A small, narrow river.
anyhow
B1
/ˈɛn.i.haʊ/
In any case; whatever happens or is true.
puzzle
B1
/ˈpɐz.əl/
A game or toy that you have to think hard about to solve, played for fun.
bald
B1
/bɑːld/
Having little or no hair on the head.
suspicion
B1
/səˈspɪʃ.ən/
A feeling that something is wrong or that someone has done something bad, without clear proof.
confusing
B1
/kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
Difficult to understand because it is not clear or well organized.
maximum
B1
/ˈmæksɪməm/
The greatest amount or highest limit that is possible or allowed.
honesty
B1
/ˈɑ.nɪ.sti/
The quality of being truthful and not cheating or lying.
chuckle
B1
/ˈt͡ʃʌkəl/
To laugh quietly or softly.
rarely
B1
/ˈɹɛəɹli/
Not often; almost never.
tremendous
B1
/tɹɪˈmɛndəs/
Very large in amount, size, or degree.
bent
B1
/ˈbɛnt/
No longer straight; curved or twisted out of shape.
runway
B1
/ˈɹʌnweɪ/
A long, flat strip of ground where planes take off and land.
shrimp
B1
/ʃɹɪmp/
A small sea creature with a shell and a long tail, often eaten as food.
shocking
B1
/ˈʃɑkɪŋ/
Causing strong feelings of surprise, upset, or disgust.
flu
B1
/flʉː/
A common illness like a bad cold, with fever, aches, and tiredness, caused by a virus.
peanut
B1
/ˈpiˌnʌt/
A small oval nut that grows in a pod underground, often eaten roasted or made into butter.
leap
B1
/ˈliːp/
To jump high or a long way.
unlikely
B1
/ʌnˈlaɪkli/
Not likely to happen or be true.
messy
B1
/ˈmɛsi/
Untidy or dirty; not in order.
spectacular
B1
/spɛkˈtæk.jə.lɚ/
Very impressive, exciting, or beautiful to see.
reliable
B1
/ɹɪˈlaɪəbl̩/
Able to be trusted to work well or behave as expected.
nickname
B1
/ˈnɪkneɪm/
An informal name for a person, often a short or funny version of their real name.
equally
B1
/ˈiːkwəli/
To the same degree or extent.
cottage
B1
/ˈkɑt.ɪd͡ʒ/
A small, often old house, usually in the countryside.
telegram
B1
/ˈtɛləˌɡɹæm/
A short message sent quickly over long distances by telegraph, common before phones.
graduation
B1
/ˌɡɹæd͡ʒuˈeɪʃən/
The act of completing your studies and receiving a degree.
brand-new
B1
/ˈbrændˌnuː/
Completely new and never used before.
salmon
B1
/ˈsæmən/
A large fish with pink-orange flesh that swims up rivers to lay eggs; it is a popular food.
beautifully
B1
/ˈbjuːtɪf(ə)li/
In a way that is lovely or pleasing.
restore
B1
/ɹɪˈstoɹ/
To bring something back to the way it was before.
crow
B1
/kɹoʊ/
A large black bird with a harsh, croaking call.
jade
B1
/d͡ʒeɪd/
A hard green or white stone often used for jewellery and carvings
endure
B1
/ɪnˈd͡ʒʊə(ɹ)/
To suffer something painful or difficult patiently, without giving up.
possess
B1
/pəˈzɛs/
To own or have something.
delightful
B1
/dəˈlaɪt.fl̩/
Very pleasant and enjoyable.
whisper
B1
/ˈ(h)wɪspɚ/
To speak very quietly using your breath, so only someone close can hear.
canal
B1
/kəˈnɛl/
A long, narrow channel of water made by people for boats or for carrying water to fields.
ambitious
B1
/æmˈbɪʃ.əs/
Having a strong desire to be successful, powerful, or rich.
inevitable
B1
/ɪˈnɛvɪtəbəl/
Certain to happen and impossible to avoid.
freely
B1
/ˈfɹili/
Without being controlled, limited, or stopped.
stunning
B1
/ˈstʌnɪŋ/
Extremely beautiful or attractive.
outstanding
B1
/ˌʌʊtˈstæn.dɪŋ/
Extremely good; much better than others.
strain
B1
/stɹeɪn/
Pressure or worry caused by a difficult situation.
heavenly
B1
/ˈhɛvənli/
Extremely pleasant, beautiful, or enjoyable.
respectable
B1
/[ɹɪˈspɛk.tə.bl̩]/
Considered good and proper by society; deserving respect.
stir
B1
/stɝ/
To mix a liquid or soft food by moving a spoon or other object around in it.
inspection
B1
/ɪnˈspɛkʃən/
The act of looking at something closely to check its condition.
choke
B1
/t͡ʃoʊk/
To be unable to breathe because something is blocking your throat.
documentary
B1
/ˌdɑ.kjəˈmɛn.tə.ɹi/
A film or TV programme that gives facts about a real subject or event.
rapidly
B1
/ˈɹæpɪdli/
Very quickly.
lightly
B1
/ˈlaɪtli/
With little weight or force; gently.
syndrome
B1
/ˈsɪndɹoʊm/
A group of symptoms or signs that together point to a particular illness or condition.
extent
B1
/ɪkˈstɛnt/
The degree or level to which something happens or is true.
shallow
B1
/ˈʃæl.oʊ/
Not deep; measuring only a short distance from top to bottom.
reflection
B1
/ɹɪˈflɛkʃən/
An image seen in a mirror or shiny surface.
define
B1
/dɪˈfaɪn/
To explain the exact meaning of a word or idea.
acknowledge
B1
/əkˈnɑ.lɪd͡ʒ/
To admit or accept that something is true or real.
submarine
B1
/sʌb.məˈɹin/
A ship that can travel under the surface of the water.
unlucky
B1
/ʌnˈlʌki/
Having or bringing bad luck.
challenging
B1
/ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪn.d͡ʒɪŋ/
Difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability.
workshop
B1
/ˈwɝk.ʃɑp/
A short, practical course where a small group learns or works on something together.
primitive
B1
/ˈpɹɪmɪtɪv/
Belonging to an early stage of human development, before modern technology.
peculiar
B1
/pɪˈkjul.jɚ/
Strange or unusual in a way that is hard to explain.
freezer
B1
/ˈfɹizɚ/
An appliance or compartment that keeps food frozen at a very low temperature.
artistic
B1
/ɑɹˈtɪs.tɪk/
Relating to art or artists.
realistic
B1
/ˌɹɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/
Sensible and practical about what can actually be done or expected.
demonstrate
B1
/ɖᵻˈmɔns.ʈreʈ/
To clearly show that something is true or real.
ant
B1
/[ɛənt]/
A small insect that lives in large, organized groups underground.
ape
B1
/eɪp/
A large primate such as a gorilla or chimpanzee, without a tail.
camel
B1
/ˈkæm(ə)l/
A large desert animal with one or two humps on its back, used for carrying people and goods.
strangely
B1
/ˈstɹeɪnd͡ʒli/
In an unusual or surprising way.
gifted
B1
/ˈɡɪftɪd/
Having a special natural ability or talent.
obtain
B1
/əbˈteɪn/
To get something, especially by making an effort.
gorilla
B1
/ɡəˈɹɪl.ə/
A very large, powerful ape that lives in the forests of central Africa.
surprisingly
B1
/səˈpɹaɪzɪŋli/
In a way that is unexpected or causes surprise.