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
266 words
thickness
B2
/ˈθɪknəs/
How thick something is; the distance between its two opposite surfaces.
punctuality
B2
/ˌpʌŋkt͡ʃuˈæləti/
The habit of arriving or doing things at exactly the right time.
compress
B2
/kəmˈpɹɛs/
to press or squeeze something into a smaller space
syllable
B2
/ˈsɪl.ə.bᵻl/
A single unit of sound in a word, usually one vowel sound with consonants around it.
splatter
B2
/ˈsplætɚ/
To splash and scatter in drops, landing in a messy, uneven way.
discriminate
B2
/dɪˈskɹɪm.əˌneɪt/
To treat a person or group unfairly because of their race, sex, age, or other quality.
outback
B2
/ˈaʊtbæk/
The remote, dry inland regions of Australia, far from towns and cities.
coincide
B2
/ˌkoʊɪnˈsaɪd/
To happen at the same time.
bustle
B2
/ˈbʌsəl/
To move around quickly and busily.
revolve
B2
/ɹɪˈvɑlv/
To turn around a central point or axis.
reflective
B2
/ɹɪˈflɛktɪv/
Thinking carefully and quietly, often about the past.
anchorage
B2
/ˈæŋkəɹɪd͡ʒ/
A place where boats and ships can safely drop anchor.
unsuitable
B2
/ʌnˈsuːtəbəl/
Not right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation
harrow
B2
/ˈhæɹoʊ/
A heavy farm tool dragged across ploughed land to break up and smooth the soil.
applicant
B2
/ˈæp.lə.kɪnt/
A person who formally asks for something such as a job, a place at a school, or admission.
slant
B2
/slænt/
to slope or cause something to slope in a diagonal direction
downwards
B2
/ˈdaʊnwɚdz/
Towards a lower place or position.
sag
B2
/sæɡ/
To sink or hang down in the middle, usually because of weight or age.
thirdly
B2
/ˈθɚdli/
In the third place; used to introduce a third point.
exclusion
B2
/ɪksˈkluːʒən/
The act of leaving someone or something out, or of keeping them out.
desolation
B2
/ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən/
A deep feeling of sadness and loneliness.
negatively
B2
/ˈnɛgətɪvli/
In a way that is bad or harmful.
nostril
B2
/ˈnɑ.stɹəl/
Either of the two openings at the bottom of the nose, used for breathing and smelling.
aboriginal
B2
/ˌæb.əˈɹɪd͡ʒ.n̩.l̩/
relating to the original people who lived in a place before others arrived, especially in Australia
tropic
B2
/ˈtɹɒpɪk/
One of two imaginary lines around the Earth, north and south of the equator, marking the edges of the hottest region.
underfoot
B2
/ˌʌndɚˈfʊt/
under one's feet, especially while being stepped on or trampled
originate
B2
/əˈɹɪd͡ʒɪneɪt/
To begin or come into existence in a particular place or way.
stockpile
B2
/ˈstɑkˌpaɪl/
A large supply of something kept for future use.
subside
B2
/sʌbˈsaɪd/
To become less strong or intense; to die down.
midair
B2
/(ˈ)mɪdˈɛɹ/
the open air at a point above the ground; the state of being airborne
globally
B2
/ˈɡloʊbəli/
Across the whole world.
undersea
B2
/ˌəndɝˈsiː/
Existing or used below the surface of the sea.
citywide
B2
/ˈsɪt.iˌwaɪd/
Happening or spreading across a whole city.
globalization
B2
/ˌɡloʊ.bə.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
The process by which businesses, ideas, and cultures spread and connect across the whole world.
rectangular
B2
/ɹɛkˈtæŋɡjəlɚ/
Shaped like a rectangle; having four right angles.
suitably
B2
/ˈsuːtəbli/
In a way that is right or appropriate for the situation.
homeward
B2
/ˈhoʊmwɚd/
In the direction of home.
seesaw
B2
/ˈsi.sɔ/
a long board balanced in the middle that children sit on at each end to go up and down
statewide
B2
/steɪtˈwaɪd/
Happening across or affecting a whole state.
interpersonal
B2
/ˌɪntɝˈpɝːsənəl/
relating to relationships or communication between people.
correctness
B2
/kɝˈɛktnəs/
The quality of being free from mistakes; being right.
droop
B2
/ˈdɹuːp/
To hang or bend downward, usually because of weakness or tiredness.
northward
B2
/ˈnɔɹθwɚd/
Toward the north.
conversely
B2
/kənˈvɝsli/
Used to introduce a statement that is the opposite of one just made; on the other hand.
eastward
B2
/ˈist.wɚd/
Towards the east.
displace
B2
/dɪsˈpleɪs/
To force people to leave their home or country, especially because of war or disaster.
prominently
B2
/ˈpɹɑmɪnəntli/
in a way that is easy to see or notice
well-balanced
B2
Made up of parts in good, healthy proportions.
proponent
B2
/pɹəˈpoʊnənt/
A person who supports an idea, plan, or cause; an advocate.
deforestation
B2
/dɪˌfɔrɪˈsteɪʃən/
The cutting down or destruction of forests, often to use the land for farming.
southward
B2
/ˈsaʊθwɝd/
Toward the south.
handrail
B2
/ˈhændˌɹeɪl/
A rail along a staircase, ramp, or path that you hold for support.
modernization
B2
/ˌmɑdɚnɪˈzeɪʃn̩/
The process of making something modern or up to date.
exalt
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔlt/
To praise someone or something very highly.
overhang
B2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈhæŋ/
to project, extend, or hang over something at a lower level
ferryboat
B2
/ˈfɛɹiˌboʊt/
A boat that carries people, vehicles, or goods across water on a regular schedule.
permeate
B2
/ˈpɝmiˌeɪ̯t/
To spread through every part of something.
countrywide
B2
/ˌkʌn.tɹiˈwaɪd/
Happening or existing across a whole country.
timeliness
B2
/ˈtaɪmliːnəs/
The quality of happening or being done at the right or most useful moment.
microcomputer
B2
/ˈmaɪˌkroʊkəmˈpjuːtɝ/
A small computer built around a microprocessor, designed for use by one person.
outdistance
B2
/ˈaʊtˈdɪstəns/
To move far ahead of someone, especially in a race.
overbook
B2
/ˈoʊvɝˌbʊk/
To accept more reservations or bookings than there are seats or rooms available.
overcrowd
B2
/ˌoʊvɚˈkraʊd/
to fill a place, vehicle, or system with more people or things than it can comfortably or safely hold
habitant
B2
/abitɑ̃/
A person who lives in a particular place.
congest
B2
/kənˈdʒɛst/
to block or overfill a road, place, or system with too much traffic, too many people, or too much material
fed up
B2
upside down
B2
hoisting
B2
/ˈhɔɪstɪŋ/
the act of raising or lifting something, especially using ropes or machinery
lain
B2
/leɪn/
past participle of "lie": to be in or assume a horizontal or resting position
navel
B2
/ˈneɪvəl/
the small, central scar on the abdomen, marking where the umbilical cord was attached
simmer
B2
/ˈsɪmɚ/
to cook gently just below boiling point
stow
B2
/stoʊ/
to pack or store something carefully and neatly in a particular place
outstretched
B2
/ˌaʊtˈstrɛtʃt/
stretched or extended outward
overarch
B2
/ˌoʊvərˈɑrtʃ/
to form an arch above or extend over something