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
517 words
bacteria
B2
/bækˈtɪɹ.i.ə/
Tiny living things, too small to see, that exist almost everywhere and can cause disease or help digestion.
purely
B2
/ˈpjʊɹli/
Only; entirely and nothing else.
detailed
B2
/dɪˈteɪld/
Giving a lot of information and including many small facts.
superb
B2
/suˈpɝb/
Extremely good; of the highest quality.
knot
B2
/nɑt/
A fastening made by tying a piece of rope, string, or cord.
terrace
B2
/ˈtɛɹəs/
A flat, usually paved outdoor area next to a house or restaurant.
elementary
B2
/ˌɛləˈmɛntəɹi/
Very simple and easy to understand.
mold
B2
/moʊld/
To shape a soft material into a particular form.
potentially
B2
/pəˈtenʃəli/
In a way that is possible but has not yet happened; possibly.
addiction
B2
/əˈdɪkˌʃən/
the condition of not being able to stop taking a drug or doing something harmful
swift
B2
/swɪft/
Happening or moving very quickly.
exceptional
B2
/ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl/
Unusually good; far better than average.
impulse
B2
/ˈɪmpʌls/
A sudden strong wish to do something without thinking first.
rag
B2
/ˈɹeɪ̯ɡ/
A piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning.
pentagon
B2
/ˈpɛn.təˌɡɑn/
A flat shape with five straight sides and five angles.
scooter
B2
/ˈskuːtɝ/
A small two-wheeled vehicle with a handlebar and a board to stand on, pushed along with one foot.
grim
B2
/ɡɹɪm/
Worrying, unpleasant, and offering little hope.
funky
B2
/fʌŋki/
Stylish and modern in an unusual, eye-catching way.
deceive
B2
/dɪˈsiːv/
To make someone believe something that is not true; to trick or mislead.
valid
B2
/ˈvælɪd/
Able to be legally or officially used or accepted.
expertise
B2
/ˌɛkspɚˈtis/
A high level of skill or knowledge in a particular field.
understandable
B2
/ˌəndɝˈstændəbəl/
Easy to understand; clear.
sniff
B2
/snəf/
To breathe in through your nose in a short, audible way, often to smell something.
bun
B2
/bʌn/
A small, round bread roll, either plain or sweet.
ghetto
B2
/ˈɡɛ.toʊ/
A poor area of a city where people of one ethnic group or background live, often separated from the rest.
infant
B2
/ˈɪn.fənt/
A very young child or baby.
greatness
B2
/ˈɡɹeɪtnəs/
The quality of being remarkable, important, or admirable.
packet
B2
/ˈpæk.ɪt/
A small pack or bag containing something.
rhyme
B2
/ˈraɪm/
To have the same ending sound as another word.
astonishing
B2
/əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ/
So surprising that it is hard to believe.
berry
B2
/ˈbɛri/
A small, soft, round fruit such as a strawberry or blueberry.
coral
B2
/ˈkɔɚɹəl/
A hard, stony substance formed in the sea by tiny animals, often building large reefs.
redemption
B2
/ɹɪˈdɛmpʃən/
The conversion (of a security) into cash.
dispute
B2
/ˈdɪs.pjut/
A serious disagreement or argument, especially an official one.
thesis
B2
/ˈθisɪs/
A long piece of writing based on research, especially for a university degree.
extensive
B2
/ɪkˈstɛn.sɪv/
Covering a large area or amount; very large in size or range.
crocodile
B2
/ˈkɹɑkədaɪl/
A large reptile with a long body, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth that lives in and near rivers in hot countries.
mist
B2
/mɪst/
A thin cloud of tiny water drops in the air that makes it hard to see.
leopard
B2
/ˈlɛp.ɚd/
A large wild cat with a spotted coat, found in Africa and Asia.
unaware
B2
/ˌʌnəˈwɛɚ/
Not knowing or realizing that something exists or is happening.
evidently
B2
/ˈɛvɪdəntli/
In a way that is clear and easy to see; obviously.
excessive
B2
/ɪkˈsɛsɪv/
Much more than is reasonable or necessary; too much.
hump
B2
/hʌmp/
a rounded raised mass, bulge, or protuberance, including the raised part of a camel's back
rattle
B2
/ˈɹæ.təl/
To make short, sharp knocking sounds, often by shaking.
peep
B2
/pip/
To look quickly or secretly, especially through a small opening.
squash
B2
/skwɔʃ/
To press something hard so that it becomes flat or loses its shape.
separately
B2
/ˈsɛp.ɹət.li/
Apart from others; not together.
evaluation
B2
/ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃn̩/
A careful judgement about the value or quality of something.
cube
B2
/kjub/
A solid shape with six equal square sides, like a dice or a box.
dedication
B2
/ˌdɛdəˈkeɪʃən/
The hard work and commitment you give to something you care about.
dim
B2
/dɪm/
Not bright; giving or having little light.
presumably
B2
/pɹɪˈzuːməbli/
Used to say that something is probably true, based on what you know.
assumption
B2
/əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/
Something you accept as true without proof.
trek
B2
/tɹɛk/
To make a long, slow, or difficult journey, especially on foot.
conventional
B2
/kənˈvɛnʃənl̩/
Following the usual, traditional, and widely accepted way of doing things.
standby
B2
/ˈstændˌbaɪ/
A state of being ready to act at any moment if needed.
probable
B2
/ˈpɹɑbəbl̩/
Likely to be true or to happen.
predictable
B2
/pɹɪˈdɪktəbl̩/
Able to be known or guessed in advance because it happens in a regular way.
slash
B2
/slæʃ/
To reduce something, such as a price or budget, by a large amount.
daft
B2
/dæft/
Silly, foolish, or stupid (informal).
glamorous
B2
/ˈɡlɛ.mə.ɹəs/
Attractive in an exciting and stylish way.
persistent
B2
/pɚˈsɪstənt/
Continuing for a long time and difficult to stop.
flexible
B2
/ˈflek.sɪ.bəl/
Able to change easily to suit new or different conditions.
funk
B2
/fɐŋk/
A style of dance music with a strong rhythm, related to jazz and soul.
acute
B2
/əˈkjut/
very serious or severe
muddy
B2
/ˈmʌdi/
Covered with or full of mud.
carve
B2
/kɑɹv/
To make an object or shape by cutting away pieces of wood, stone, or other material.
trivial
B2
/ˈtɹɪv.i.əl/
Of little importance or value.
penetrate
B2
/ˈpɛnɪtɹeɪt/
To go into or pass through something, often by force.
formidable
B2
/ˈfɔɹmɪdəbəl/
Very impressive in strength, skill, or size, so that you respect or fear it.
cone
B2
/ˈkoʊn/
A solid shape with a round flat base and a point at the top.
inspect
B2
/ɪnˈspɛkt/
To look at something closely and carefully in order to check its condition or find problems.
irresistible
B2
/ˌɪɹ.ɪˈzɪs.tə.bəl/
So attractive or tempting that you cannot say no to it
sparrow
B2
/ˈspæɹ.oʊ/
A small, common brown and gray bird with a short beak.
vitamin
B2
/ˈvaɪ.tə.mɪn/
A natural substance found in food that the body needs in small amounts to stay healthy.
remarkably
B2
/ɹɪˈmɑɹkəbli/
To a surprising or impressive degree.
everlasting
B2
/ˌɛvəɹˈlæstɪŋ/
Lasting forever; never ending.
blaze
B2
/bleɪz/
A large, strong, bright fire.
first-class
B2
/ˌfɝːstˈklæs/
of the highest quality; excellent
mathematical
B2
/ˌmæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪ.kəl/
Relating to mathematics.
twinkle
B2
/ˈtwɪŋ.kəl/
To shine with a flickering, unsteady light; to glimmer.
tug
B2
/tʌɡ/
To pull something hard, often with a quick or repeated movement.
decay
B2
/diˈkeɪ/
To rot or break down gradually through natural processes.
miniature
B2
/ˈmɪnɪt͡ʃə/
Much smaller than the usual size.
winding
B2
/ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
Having many turns and bends; not straight.
amazingly
B2
/əˈmeɪzɪŋli/
In a way that causes great surprise; surprisingly.
preferably
B2
/ˈpɹɛf.ɹəˌbli/
Used to say which choice you would like more if it is possible.
troublesome
B2
/ˈtɹʌbəlsəm/
Causing difficulty, worry, or annoyance.
exclusively
B2
/ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/
Only and not in any other way; solely.
unstoppable
B2
/ʌnˈstɔ.pə.bəl/
Impossible to stop
chaotic
B2
/keɪˈɑtɪk/
Completely confused and disorganized.
overly
B2
/ˈoʊvɝli/
To too great a degree; more than is suitable.
manufacturing
B2
/ˌmænjəˈfækt͡ʃəɹɪŋ/
The business or process of making goods in large quantities, usually in factories.
proudly
B2
/ˈpɹaʊdli/
In a way that shows pride or satisfaction.
redeem
B2
/ɹɪˈdiːm/
To set free by force.
rosy
B2
/ˈɹoʊzi/
Pink and healthy-looking, especially of cheeks or skin.