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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266 words
royalty
B2
/ˈrɔɪəlti/
Members of a royal family considered together.
relay
B2
/ˈɹiːleɪ/
To pass on a message or piece of information to someone else.
daytime
B2
/ˈdeɪtaɪm/
The part of the day when it is light, between sunrise and sunset.
console
B2
/ˈkɑn.soʊl/
To comfort someone who is sad or disappointed.
external
B2
/ɛkˈstɜɹ.nəl/
On or coming from the outside of something.
plum
B2
/plʌm/
A soft, round fruit with smooth skin and a single hard stone in the middle.
upright
B2
/ˈʌpɹaɪt/
Standing straight up; vertical.
litter
B2
/ˈlɪt.ɚ/
Rubbish or trash left lying on the ground.
existing
B2
/ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
Present or in use now; already there.
bumper
B2
/ˈbʌmpəɹ/
A bar at the front and back of a vehicle that absorbs the impact of a crash.
vacant
B2
/ˈveɪkənt/
Empty; not being used or lived in.
ramp
B2
/ɹæmp/
A sloping surface that joins two levels, used instead of stairs.
retard
B2
/rɪˈtɑːrd/
To slow down or delay the progress of something.
dilemma
B2
/dɑeˈlemə/
A difficult situation in which you must choose between two options that both seem bad.
haunting
B2
/ˈhɔntɪŋ/
Staying in your mind because it is beautiful or sad; not easily forgotten.
crater
B2
/ˈkɹeɪ.tɚ/
A large bowl-shaped hole in the ground made by an impact or explosion.
pluck
B2
/plʌk/
To pull or take something quickly and sharply from a place.
teens
B2
/tiːnz/
The years of a person's life between thirteen and nineteen.
stance
B2
/[stɛəns]/
Your opinion or position on an issue.
clam
B2
/klæm/
A sea animal with a soft body inside two hard shells, often eaten as food.
descend
B2
/dəˈsɛnd/
To move down from a higher position to a lower one.
surroundings
B2
/səˈɹaʊndɪŋz/
The things and conditions that are around someone or something; the environment.
backward
B2
/ˈbækwɚd/
In the direction behind you; toward the back.
fiber
B2
/ˈfaɪ.bɚ/
The part of food that helps digestion and passes through the body.
rim
B2
/ɹɪm/
The outer edge of something, especially something round.
balanced
B2
/ˈbælənst/
Having different parts in the right proportions; not too much of any one thing.
span
B2
/spæːn/
The full length of time that something lasts or covers.
windshield
B2
/ˈwɪndˌʃiːld/
The large glass window at the front of a vehicle that protects those inside from wind and weather.
dominate
B2
/ˈdɑ.məˌneɪt/
To have power and control over someone or something.
margin
B2
/ˈmɑɹ.d͡ʒɪn/
The empty space around the edge of a page.
digest
B2
/daɪˈd͡ʒɛst/
To break down food in the body so it can be absorbed.
eligible
B2
/ˈɛl.ə.d͡ʒə.bəl/
Having the right to do or receive something because you meet the necessary conditions.
rubble
B2
/ˈɹʌb.əl/
Broken pieces of stone, brick, or concrete left after a building has been destroyed.
flap
B2
/flæp/
To move up and down or back and forth, especially wings.
prevail
B2
/pɹɪˈvæɪl/
To win or be successful in a struggle or competition.
suppress
B2
/səˈpɹes/
To stop something by force, especially a protest or rebellion.
gateway
B2
/ˈɡeɪtˌweɪ/
An opening or entrance that can be closed by a gate.
pavement
B2
/ˈpeɪvmənt/
A paved path at the side of a road for people to walk on.
correspondence
B2
/ˌkoɹ.ɪˈspɑn.dəns/
Letters or messages exchanged between people.
overlook
B2
/ˈoʊ.vɚˌlʊk/
To fail to notice or consider something.
component
B2
/kəmˈpoʊnənt/
One of the parts that make up a larger machine, system, or whole.
outlet
B2
/ˈaʊtlɛt/
A point on a wall where you plug in electrical devices.
intrusion
B2
/ɪnˈtɹuːʒən/
The act of entering a place or situation where you are not wanted.
prestige
B2
/pɹɛsˈtiːd͡ʒ/
Respect and admiration gained through success, position, or wealth.
accommodate
B2
/əˈkɑməˌdeɪt/
To have enough space or room for a number of people or things.
disconnect
B2
/dɪskəˈnɛkt/
To break or stop a connection between two things.
curl
B2
/kɜɹl/
A piece of hair that grows or is shaped in a curved, spiral form.
navigate
B2
/ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪt/
To find the right way to get to a place, especially using a map or instruments.
ironically
B2
/aɪˈɹɑnɪkli/
Used to point out that something is the opposite of what you would expect
axis
B2
/ˈæksɪs/
An imaginary line through the centre of an object, around which it turns.
obsessive
B2
/əbˈsɛs.ɪv/
Thinking about one thing or doing one activity far too much.
strand
B2
/stɹænd/
A single thin piece of something like hair, thread, or rope.
folding
B2
/ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
Designed to be folded up so it takes less space.
proximity
B2
/pɹɑkˈsɪm.ɪ.ti/
Nearness in space, time, or relationship.
conversion
B2
/kənˈvɝʒən/
The act of changing something from one form, system, or use into another.
exhaustion
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔːs.t͡ʃən/
The state of being extremely tired.
long-distance
B2
/ˌlɔŋˈdiːstəns/
Covering or travelling over a great distance.
placement
B2
/ˈpleːsmənt/
The act of putting something in a particular place; its position.
showcase
B2
/ˈʃoʊˌkeɪs/
To present something in a way that draws attention to its best qualities.
installation
B2
/ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən/
The act of putting a piece of equipment or software in place so it is ready to use.
tack
B2
/ˈtæk/
A way of dealing with a problem; an approach or course of action.
endlessly
B2
/ˈɛndləsli/
In a way that continues without stopping
elect
B2
/ɪˈlɛkt/
To choose someone for a position by voting.
recession
B2
/ɹɪˈsɛʃn̩/
A period when a country's economy is weak and business activity falls.
upbringing
B2
/ˈʌpˌbrɪŋɪŋ/
The way a child is raised and taught while growing up.
sympathize
B2
/ˈsɪmpəˌθaɪz/
To feel or show that you understand and share someone's sadness or troubles.
brewery
B2
/ˈbɹuːəɹi/
A place or company where beer is made.
concession
B2
/kənˈsɛʃən/
something you allow or give up to end an argument or reach agreement
eyebrow
B2
/ˈaɪˌbɹaʊ/
The line of hair growing above each eye.
vibration
B2
/vaɪˈbɹeɪʃən/
A continuous shaking movement, or the act of shaking quickly back and forth.
analogy
B2
/əˈnæləd͡ʒi/
A comparison between two things that are similar in some way, often used to explain something.
nominee
B2
/ˌnɒmɪˈniː/
A person who has been officially suggested for a job, position, or award.
neighboring
B2
/ˈneɪbəɹɪŋ/
Located very close by; next to or near something else.
rejoin
B2
/ɹɪˈd͡ʒɔɪn/
To join or come back to a group, place, or activity after leaving it.
landslide
B2
/ˈlændˌslaɪd/
A sudden fall of earth, rock, and mud down a slope.
hover
B2
/ˈhɑvɚ/
To stay in one place in the air, without moving forward.
flutter
B2
/ˈflʌtɚ/
To move quickly and lightly up and down or back and forth.
hospice
B2
/ˈhɑspɪs/
A place that cares for people who are dying, keeping them comfortable.
overtake
B2
/oʊ̯vɚˈteɪ̯k/
To pass another vehicle or person moving in the same direction.
birthplace
B2
/ˈbɝθˌpleɪs/
The place where a person was born.
impartial
B2
/ɪmˈpɑɹ.ʃəl/
Treating everyone fairly and not favouring one side over another.
compression
B2
/kəmˈpɹeʃ.ən/
the act of pressing or squeezing something into a smaller space
optimist
B2
/ˈɑptɪmɪst/
A person who expects good things to happen and looks on the bright side.
confine
B2
/kənˈfaɪn/
To keep something within certain limits.
unpopular
B2
/ˌənˈpɑːpjəlɝ/
Not liked or supported by many people
partisan
B2
/ˈpɑɹ.tɪ.zən/
Strongly supporting one party, group, or cause, often without seeing the other side fairly.
vibrate
B2
/ˈvaɪ.bɹeɪt/
To move or shake quickly back and forth with small movements.
appropriately
B2
/əˈproʊpriːɪtli/
In a way that is suitable or right for the situation.
nutshell
B2
/ˈnʌt.ʃɛl/
The hard outer covering around the seed of a nut.
atop
B2
/əˈtɑːp/
on or at the top of something
corresponding
B2
/ˌkɔɹəˈspɑndɪŋ/
Matching or similar, especially in position or purpose.
optional
B2
/ˈɑp.ʃə.nəl/
Not required; left to your own choice.
skim
B2
/skɪm/
to read something quickly to get the main ideas without studying the details
cardigan
B2
/ˈkɑːrdɪgən/
A knitted top that opens at the front and fastens with buttons or a zip.
tier
B2
/tɪr/
one of several rows, layers, or levels arranged above or below one another
inhabit
B2
/ɪnˈhæbɪt/
To live in a particular place.