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
beak
B2
/ˈbiːk/
The hard, pointed mouth of a bird.
microscope
B2
/ˈmaɪ.kɹəˌskoʊp/
An instrument that makes very small objects look much bigger so they can be studied.
dramatically
B2
/drəˈmætɪkli/
Suddenly and to a large, noticeable degree.
rhythmic
B2
/ˈɹɪð.mɪk/
Having a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements.
preposterous
B2
/pɹəˈpɑstəɹəs/
Completely unreasonable; ridiculous.
grin
B2
/ɡɹɪn/
A wide smile that shows the teeth.
postal
B2
/[ˈpoʊstl̩]/
Relating to the system of collecting and delivering mail.
kangaroo
B2
/ˌkæŋ.ɡəˈɹʉː/
A large Australian animal with strong back legs that moves by jumping and carries its young in a pouch.
tsunami
B2
/(t)suˈnæmi/
A very large, destructive sea wave caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption.
lark
B2
/lɑɹk/
A small brown bird known for its tuneful singing, often heard high in the sky.
enhance
B2
/ɪnˈhæns/
To improve the quality, value, or attractiveness of something.
casually
B2
/ˈkæʒuəli/
In a relaxed way, without showing much concern.
reasonably
B2
/ˈɹiː.zən.ə.bli/
Fairly; to a fair or satisfactory degree.
colon
B2
/ˈkoʊ.lən/
The punctuation mark ( : ), used before a list, example, or explanation.
uncommon
B2
/ʌnˈkɒmən/
Not happening or found very often; rare.
cello
B2
/ˈt͡ʃɛloʊ/
A large wooden string instrument played with a bow while seated.
orchid
B2
/ˈɔɹ.kɪd/
A plant with unusually shaped flowers in beautiful colours, popular as a houseplant.
respiratory
B2
/ˈɹɛs.pəɹ.əˌtɔɹ.i/
Relating to breathing or the organs used for breathing.
shatter
B2
/ˈʃæt.ɚ/
To break suddenly into many small pieces.
potent
B2
/ˈpoʊt(ə)nt/
Having a strong and powerful effect.
innovation
B2
/ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/
A new idea, method, or invention.
desirable
B2
/dɪˈzaɪəɹəbəl/
Worth having or wanting; good to have.
considerably
B2
/kənˈsɪdəɹəbli/
By a large amount or to a great degree.
imitation
B2
/ɪmɪˈteɪʃn̩/
A copy of something, often one that is not as good as the original.
mortar
B2
/ˈmɔrtɝ/
A paste of cement, sand and water that holds bricks or stones together as it dries.
sob
B2
/ˌɛs oʊ ˈbi/
To cry loudly with short, sharp breaths.
prestigious
B2
/pɹɛˈstiːd͡ʒəs/
Respected and admired as being very important or of high quality.
left-handed
B2
/ˌlɛftˈhændɪd/
using the left hand more naturally or skillfully than the right
luxurious
B2
/lʌɡˈʒʊɹ.i.əs/
Very comfortable and of the finest quality.
wondrous
B2
/ˈwʌndɹəs/
Wonderful and amazing, inspiring awe.
trolley
B2
/ˈtrɑːli/
A metal cart on wheels used for carrying goods, especially shopping.
novelty
B2
/ˈnɑvəlti/
The quality of being new, unusual, and interesting.
doubtful
B2
/ˈdaʊtfəl/
Unlikely or uncertain to happen or be true.
joyous
B2
/ˈd͡ʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
literal
B2
/ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/
Taking words in their basic, exact meaning, not figurative.
predicament
B2
/pɹɪˈdɪkəmənt/
A difficult or unpleasant situation that is hard to get out of.
heavyweight
B2
/ˈhev.i.weɪt/
heavier, thicker, or more substantial than average for its kind
oval
B2
/ˈoʊvəl/
A rounded shape like a flattened circle or an egg.
beneficial
B2
/ˌbɛnəˈfɪʃəl/
Helpful and good for someone or something.
unfamiliar
B2
/ˌʌnfəˈmɪli.ə(ɹ)/
Not known to you; strange because you have not seen or experienced it before.
fascination
B2
/fæsɪˈneɪʃən/
A strong attraction or interest in something.
microscopic
B2
/ˌmaɪ.kɹəˈskɑ.pɪk/
So small that it can only be seen with a microscope.
actively
B2
/ˈæktɪvli/
in a busy, involved, and determined way
extraordinarily
B2
/ɛkˌstrɔrdəˈnɛrəli/
In a way that is very unusual or remarkable.
brilliantly
B2
/ˈbrɪljəntli/
In an excellent or very skilful way.
capability
B2
/ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
The power or ability to do something.
mysteriously
B2
/ˌmɪˈstɪriːəsli/
In a mysterious manner.
delicacy
B2
/ˈdɛləkəsi/
A special and tasty food, often rare or typical of a certain culture.
significantly
B2
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli/
In a way that is large enough to be noticed or to matter.
swiftly
B2
/ˈswɪftli/
in a swift manner
gorge
B2
/ɡɔɹd͡ʒ/
A deep, narrow valley with steep, rocky sides, usually with a river running through it.
fictional
B2
/ˈfɪkʃənəl/
Invented and not real.
weakly
B2
/ˈwiːkli/
In a weak way; with little strength or force.
soar
B2
/soɹ/
To rise or increase very quickly to a high level.
high-tech
B2
/haɪ tɛk/
Using or involving the most advanced and modern technology.
exceptionally
B2
/ɪkˈsɛp(t)ʃənəli/
To an unusually high degree; remarkably.
patiently
B2
/ˈpeɪʃəntli/
In a calm way, without getting annoyed while waiting.
skateboard
B2
/ˈskeɪtˌbɔrd/
a narrow board on wheels that you stand on and ride, pushing along with one foot
headless
B2
/ˈhɛdləs/
having no head or top, especially because the head has been removed
conveniently
B2
/kənˈvinjəntli/
In a way that is easy or causes little trouble.
toil
B2
/tɔɪl/
Hard, tiring work.
walnut
B2
/ˈwɔlnət/
An edible nut with a hard, wrinkled shell and a brain-shaped seed inside.
breathtaking
B2
/ˈbɹɛθˌteɪ.kɪŋ/
So beautiful or impressive that it amazes you.
rightfully
B2
/ˈɹaɪtfəli/
by right
murmur
B2
/ˈmɝ.mɚ/
To speak very softly and unclearly.
sufficiently
B2
/səˈfɪʃəntli/
Enough; to the degree that is needed.
innovative
B2
/ˈɪn.əˌveɪtɪv/
Introducing or using new ideas and methods.
contradict
B2
/ˌkɑn.tɹəˈdɪkt/
To say that something someone said is not true.
inseparable
B2
/inˈsɛ.p(ə).ɹə.bl/
So closely connected that they cannot be separated or imagined apart.
comprehensive
B2
/ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/
including everything or nearly everything that is needed
lightweight
B2
/ˈlaɪt.weɪt/
weighing less than average or less than comparable objects of the same kind
attentive
B2
/əˈtɛntɪv/
Listening or watching carefully and with interest.
guerrilla
B2
/ɡəˈɹɪlə/
A member of a small, unofficial armed group that fights a stronger force using surprise attacks.
contradiction
B2
/ˌkɑːntɹəˈdɪkʃən/
A situation in which two things cannot both be true at the same time.
dud
B2
/dʌd/
informal: a thing, person, or event that is defective, worthless, or unsuccessful
beige
B2
/beɪʒ/
a pale sandy yellowish-brown or grayish-brown color, like undyed wool
tremendously
B2
/trəˈmɛndəsli/
Very much; to a very great degree.
fundamentally
B2
/ˌfəndəˈmɛntəli/
In a basic and important way; at the deepest level.
unorthodox
B2
/ʌnˈɔɹ.θəˌdɑːks/
different from what is traditional, conventional, or generally accepted
revival
B2
/ɹɪˈvaɪvəl/
The act of bringing something back into use, popularity, or activity.
heartbreaking
B2
/ˈhɑːrtˌbreɪkɪŋ/
Causing very strong feelings of sadness.
hugely
B2
/ˈhjuːd͡ʒli/
To a very great extent; extremely.
sulfur
B2
/ˈsʊl.fə/
A bright yellow chemical element (symbol S) with a strong smell, used in matches, gunpowder, and many industrial products.
realization
B2
/ˌɹiə.lɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
The moment of suddenly understanding or becoming aware of something.
tolerant
B2
/ˈtɑːləɹənt/
Willing to accept opinions or behaviour you do not agree with.
unsuccessful
B2
/ˌʌnsəkˈsɛsfl̩/
Not achieving what you wanted; failing
curved
B2
/kɝːvd/
Bent in a smooth, rounded shape rather than straight.
sanitation
B2
/ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən/
The systems for keeping places clean and removing waste to protect health.
mushy
B2
/ˈmʌʃi/
soft, wet, and lacking a firm shape or texture, like mush
insistent
B2
/ɪnˈsɪstənt/
persistently demanding something or refusing to accept disagreement
tabloid
B2
/ˈtæbˌlɔɪd/
A small-format newspaper that focuses on sensational stories, gossip, and celebrities.
adversity
B2
/ædˈvɝ.sɪ.ti/
A difficult or unpleasant situation; serious trouble or hardship.
ozone
B2
/ˈoʊzoʊn/
A form of oxygen with three atoms in each molecule; it is a pale blue gas with a sharp smell that forms a layer high in the atmosphere protecting us from the sun.
generously
B2
/ˈdʒɛnɝəsli/
In a way that gives a lot, freely and willingly.
yawn
B2
/jɔn/
To open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply, usually when tired or bored.
coarse
B2
/kɔɹs/
Rough to the touch, or made of large, thick particles.