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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36 words
ignorant
B2
/ˈɪɡnəɹənt/
Not knowing about a particular fact or situation.
unlock
B2
/ʌnˈlɑk/
To open something that is locked, usually with a key or code.
dorm
B2
/dɔɹm/
A building at a college or university where students live; short for "dormitory".
tutor
B2
/ˈtjuːtəː/
A person who teaches one student or a small group, often privately.
ignorance
B2
/ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/
A lack of knowledge or information about something.
skilled
B2
/skɪld/
good at doing something because of training or experience
pupil
B2
/ˈpjuːpəl/
A child or young person who is being taught at school.
electronics
B2
/ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪks/
Devices that run on electric power, such as phones, computers, and televisions.
faculty
B2
/ˈfækəlti/
All the teachers and academic staff at a school or university.
tuition
B2
/tjʉːˈɪʃən/
The money you pay for being taught, especially at a college or university.
seminar
B2
/ˈsɛmɪnɑɹ/
A small class in which students and a teacher meet to discuss a topic in depth.
transcript
B2
/[ˈtʃɹʷænskɹʷɪp̚t]/
A written copy of words that were spoken, such as in an interview or trial.
diploma
B2
/dɪˈploʊmə/
An official document showing that you have completed a course of study or earned a qualification.
upgrade
B2
/ˈʌp.ɡɹeɪd/
To improve something by replacing it with a better or newer version.
instruct
B2
/ɪnˈstɹakt/
To officially tell someone what they should do.
philosophical
B2
/ˌfɪl.əˈsɑ.fɪ.kl̩/
Relating to philosophy or the study of ideas about life and knowledge.
astronomy
B2
/əˈstɹɑn.ə.mi/
The scientific study of the stars, planets, and the universe.
inexperienced
B2
/ɪnəkˈspɪəɹi.ənst/
Lacking knowledge or skill because you have not done something much before.
schoolgirl
B2
/ˈskuːlɡɜː(ɹ)l/
A girl who goes to school.
dormitory
B2
/ˈdɔɹ.mɪˌtɔɹ.i/
A building at a college or university where students live.
acquisition
B2
/ˌæk.wɪˈzɪʃ.ən/
the act of getting or buying something
novice
B2
/ˈnɑvɪs/
a person who is new to and inexperienced in a field or activity
curriculum
B2
/kəˈɹɪk.jə.ləm/
The set of subjects and courses taught at a school, college, or university.
lecturer
B2
/ˈlekt͡ʃəɹə/
A person who gives lectures, especially as a teacher at a university or college.
hooky
B2
/ˈhʊki/
informal, especially in play hooky: unauthorized absence from school or work
mastery
B2
/ˈmæs.tɚ.i/
Great skill in or thorough knowledge of a subject or activity.
athletics
B2
/æθˈlɛtɪks/
Sports such as running, jumping, and throwing.
primer
B2
/ˈprɪmɚ/
a small introductory book, especially one used to teach children to read or to explain the basics of a subject
elective
B2
/ɪˈlɛktɪv/
Not required; chosen freely.
schoolhouse
B2
/ˈskulˌhaʊs/
a building used as a school, especially a small or one-room school
undergraduate
B2
/ˌəndɝˈgrædʒəwət/
A university student who has not yet finished their first degree.
formative
B2
/ˈfoɹmətɪv/
strongly influencing the development of a person, idea, or thing
familiarize
B2
/fəˈmɪliəɹaɪ̯z/
To learn about something or make someone learn about it.
housemaster
B2
A teacher in charge of a house at a boarding school.
cyberschool
B2
A school that teaches its courses over the Internet instead of in a physical building.
lore
B2
/lɔːr/
traditional knowledge or beliefs passed through generations, often orally