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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158 words
independently
B2
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli/
Without help or control from others; on your own.
dependable
B2
/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/
Able to be trusted to do what you need or expect.
repression
B2
/ɹəˈpɹɛʃən/
The use of force or control to keep people from acting or speaking freely.
exaggeration
B2
/ɪɡˌzæd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/
A statement that makes something seem larger, better, or worse than it really is.
distressing
B2
/dɪˈstɹɛsɪŋ/
Causing worry, sadness, or upset.
facilitate
B2
/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/
To make something easier or help it happen.
imprison
B2
/ɪmˈpɹɪzən/
To put someone in prison or keep them locked up.
unforeseen
B2
/ˌʌnfɔɹˈsin/
Not expected or predicted in advance.
outlive
B2
/ˌaʊtˈlɪv/
To live longer than someone else.
reinforcement
B2
/ˌɹiɪnˈfɔɹsmənt/
The act of making something stronger or more solid.
playmate
B2
/ˈpleɪˌmeɪt/
A companion, especially a child, that someone plays with.
integrate
B2
/ˈɪn.təˌɡɹeɪt/
To combine two or more things so that they work together as one.
bracket
B2
/ˈbɹækɪt/
One of a set of ranges into which things are grouped, such as for tax or age.
repertoire
B2
/ˈɹɛp.əɹ.twɑɹ/
The set of pieces (songs, plays, etc.) that a performer or group is ready to perform.
inaccurate
B2
/ɪnˈæk.jə.ɹɪt/
Not correct or exact; containing mistakes.
ineffective
B2
/ˌɪn.ɪˈfɛk.tɪv/
Not producing the result you want.
recapture
B2
/ˌriːˈkæp.tʃɚ/
to capture a person, place, or thing again after it has escaped or been lost
tote
B2
/toʊt/
informal: to carry something, especially something heavy or awkward
pave
B2
/peɪv/
To cover a road or area with a hard surface such as stone or concrete.
signify
B2
/ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ/
To mean or be a sign of something.
classification
B2
/ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The act of arranging things into groups based on shared qualities.
impractical
B2
/ɪmˈpɹæktɪkəl/
Not sensible or realistic to do or use in real life.
handout
B2
/ˈhændˌaʊt/
A printed sheet of information given out to people, for example in a class.
restriction
B2
/ɹɪˈstɹɪkʃən/
A rule or limit that controls what you can do.
immerse
B2
/ɪˈmɝs/
To put something completely into a liquid.
shrug
B2
/ˈʃrʌg/
To raise your shoulders to show that you do not know or do not care.
bustling
B2
/ˈbʌs(ə)lɪŋ/
Full of energetic and noisy activity.
blurt
B2
/ˈblɝt/
To say something suddenly and without thinking.
single-handed
B2
/ˌsɪŋ.ɡəlˈhæn.dɪd/
done by one person without help from anyone else
disqualify
B2
/dɪsˈkwɔləfaɪ/
To officially stop someone from taking part in something, usually for breaking a rule.
pillowcase
B2
/ˈpɪloʊˌkeɪs/
A cloth cover that you put over a pillow and can take off to wash.
dignify
B2
/ˈdɪgnəˌfaɪ/
To treat something unworthy as if it deserved serious attention.
redesign
B2
/ˌɹiː.dɪˈzaɪn/
design anew, make a new design for
outdo
B2
/aʊtˈdu/
To do something better than someone else or better than before.
equip
B2
/ɪˈkwɪp/
To provide someone or something with the tools or supplies needed for a task.
astonish
B2
/əˈstɑnɪʃ/
To surprise someone very greatly.
outshine
B2
/aʊtˈʃaɪn/
To be much better or more impressive than someone or something else.
purposeful
B2
/ˈpɝ.pəs.fəl/
Showing that you know what you want and are determined to get it.
unhelpful
B2
/ʌnˈhɛlpfəl/
Not giving help; not useful.
duplication
B2
/d(j)u.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The act of copying something, or of doing the same thing more than once unnecessarily.
functionality
B2
/ˌfəŋkʃəˈnælɪti/
The set of things a product or system can do; its useful features.
lubricate
B2
/ˈluːbrɪkeɪt/
make slippery or smooth through the application of a lubricant
overshadow
B2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈʃæd.oʊ/
To make someone or something seem less important by being more impressive or noticeable.
stoppage
B2
/ˈstɑːpɪdʒ/
a pause or halt in an activity or process
unseal
B2
/ʌnˈsiːl/
to break or remove a seal so that something can be opened
dilly-dally
B2
/ˈdɪl.iˌdæl.i/
informal: to waste time through indecision, delay, or aimless activity
overstay
B2
/ˌoʊvɝˈsteɪ/
stay too long
inactivity
B2
/ˌɪnækˈtɪvəti/
the state of not acting, moving, working, or operating
overburden
B2
/ˌoʊvɚˈbɝdən/
to give someone or something more work, weight, debt, or responsibility than can reasonably be carried
redraw
B2
/ˌriːˈdrɔː/
to draw, map, or design something again, often with changes
repack
B2
/ˌriːˈpæk/
to pack something again or arrange it in different packaging
strew
B2
/struː/
to scatter or spread things loosely, often untidily, over a surface
mystify
B2
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/
To confuse or puzzle someone completely.
attainment
B2
/əˈteɪnmənt/
The act of achieving or reaching something.
simplification
B2
/ˌsɪm.plə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
The act of making something easier to do or understand.
categorization
B2
/ˌkæt.ə.ɡɚ.əˈzeɪ.ʃən/
The act of sorting things into groups based on shared features.
overemphasize
B2
/ˈoʊvɝˈɛmfəˌsaɪz/
To give too much importance to something.
reseat
B2
/ɹiːˈsiːt/
to sit down again, or cause someone to sit down again
fulfiller
B2
/fʊlˈfɪlər/
a person or thing that carries out, completes, or brings something promised or expected into reality
fumble
B2
/ˈfʌmbəl/
to handle something clumsily or unsuccessfully
unlatch
B2
/ʌnˈlætʃ/
to unfasten or release something secured with a latch
interconnect
B2
/ˌɪntərkəˈnɛkt/
to connect with one another