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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40 words
opera
B2
/ˈɑp.ə.ɹə/
A dramatic play set to music in which the words are sung rather than spoken.
ballet
B2
/bælˈeɪ/
A graceful, classical form of dance, often performed to tell a story with music.
melody
B2
/ˈmɛl.ə.di/
A sequence of musical notes that forms a tune.
lyrics
B2
/ˈlɪɹ.ɪks/
The words of a song.
matching
B2
/ˈmæt͡ʃɪŋ/
Having the same design, colour, or appearance as something else.
verse
B2
/ˈvɝs/
A group of lines that form one unit of a song or poem.
masterpiece
B2
/ˈmæstɚˌpis/
A work of art or skill that is outstanding and widely admired.
rehearse
B2
/ɹɪˈhɝs/
to practise a play, piece of music, speech, or other performance before presenting it publicly
nightclub
B2
/ˈnʌɪtklʌb/
A place that opens late at night where people go to drink, dance, and listen to music.
baton
B2
/bəˈtɑːn/
a thin stick used by a conductor to direct an orchestra or choir
refrain
B2
/ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/
To stop yourself from doing something.
lullaby
B2
/ˈlʌləˌbaɪ/
a quiet, soothing song sung to help a baby or young child fall asleep
artwork
B2
/ˈɑɹtˌwɝk/
A painting, drawing, sculpture, or other piece of visual art.
genre
B2
/ˈ(d)ʒɑnɹə/
A particular type or style of art, literature, music, or film.
orchestral
B2
/ˌɔɹˈkɛstɹəl/
Relating to an orchestra or to music played by one.
canon
B2
/ˈkæn.ən/
A general rule or principle that is widely accepted in a field.
saxophone
B2
/ˈsæksəˌfoʊn/
a usually brass, single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical tube and finger-operated keys
sculptor
B2
/ˈskʌlptɚ/
an artist who creates sculpture by carving, modeling, casting, or assembling materials
mural
B2
/ˈmjʊr.əl/
a large painting or other artwork made directly on a wall
reggae
B2
/ˈɹɛɡeɪ/
A style of popular music from Jamaica with a strong, steady rhythm and a heavy bass.
trombone
B2
/trɑmˈboʊn/
a low-pitched brass instrument whose tube is usually lengthened and shortened with a movable slide
showbiz
B2
/ˈʃoʊˌbɪz/
The entertainment industry, including film, television, theatre, and music.
embroidery
B2
/ɪmˈbrɔɪdəri/
the art or process of decorating fabric with patterns sewn in thread
mosaic
B2
/moʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/
a picture or pattern made by arranging small pieces of colored stone, glass, tile, or another material
tambourine
B2
/ˌtæmbəˈriːn/
a handheld frame drum, usually with small metal disks in its rim that jingle when shaken or struck
artistry
B2
/ˈɑː(ɹ)tɪstɹi/
Great skill and creativity in art or another activity.
baritone
B2
/ˈbɛrəˌtoʊn/
the adult male singing voice between tenor and bass in range
soloist
B2
/ˈsoʊˌloʊəst/
a musician who performs a solo
repaint
B2
/ɹiːˈpeɪnt/
To paint something again, especially something painted before.
tuner
B2
/ˈtuːnɚ/
a person who adjusts a piano or other instrument to the correct pitch
cymbal
B2
/ˈsɪmbəl/
a round, slightly hollow metal percussion instrument that is struck with a stick or against another cymbal
needlework
B2
/ˈnidəlˌwɝk/
the art or activity of sewing, embroidery, or other work done with a needle, especially by hand
impressionism
B2
/ɪmˈpɹɛʃənɪzəm/
A style of painting that uses visible brushstrokes to capture light and ordinary scenes.
bassoon
B2
/bəˈsun/
a large double-reed woodwind instrument with a long folded tube, typically playing in the tenor and bass registers
graphically
B2
/ˈgræfɪkli/
In a very clear and detailed way, often about something unpleasant.
sepia
B2
/ˈsiːpiə/
a dark reddish-brown color associated with old photographs and drawings
overtone
B2
/ˈoʊvɚˌtoʊn/
a musical or acoustic tone sounding above a fundamental tone as part of a complex sound
woodcarving
B2
The art of cutting and shaping wood to make objects or decorations.
semitone
B2
/ˈsɛmɪtoʊn/
music: the smallest interval in the standard chromatic scale of Western music, equal to half a whole tone
martial art
B2