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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54 words
means
B2
/minz/
A method or way of achieving a result.
loan
B2
/loʊn/
An amount of money that you borrow and must pay back, often with extra interest.
stake
B2
/steɪk/
A share or financial interest in a business or situation.
commission
B2
/kəˈmɪʃən/
An official group of people chosen to do a particular job or investigate something.
bid
B2
/bɪd/
To offer to pay a particular price for something, especially at an auction.
certificate
B2
/səˈtɪf.ɪ.kɪt/
An official document that proves a fact, such as a qualification or an event.
wealthy
B2
/ˈwɛl.θi/
Having a lot of money and valuable possessions; rich.
dime
B2
/daɪm/
A US or Canadian coin worth ten cents, one tenth of a dollar.
peg
B2
/pɛɡ/
A short pin or hook used to hang things on or to fasten something in place.
mortgage
B2
/ˈmɔɹ.ɡɪd͡ʒ/
A loan you take from a bank to buy a house or land, which the bank can take back if you fail to repay.
shipping
B2
/ˈʃɪpɪŋ/
The activity of transporting goods, especially by sea.
banker
B2
/ˈbæŋkɚ/
A person who works at a high level in a bank, especially managing money or investments.
guinea
B2
/ˈɡɪni/
a former British gold coin worth twenty-one shillings
toll
B2
/təʊl/
A fee you pay to use a road, bridge, or tunnel.
rental
B2
/ˈɹɛntəl/
Available to rent, or relating to renting.
nickel
B2
/ˈnɪk.əl/
a coin worth five cents in the United States or Canada
bidding
B2
/ˈbɪdɪŋ/
The act of offering prices to buy something, especially at an auction.
wage
B2
/weɪd͡ʒ/
The money a worker is paid for their work, usually by the hour or week.
bankrupt
B2
/ˈbæŋk.ɹəpt/
Unable to pay your debts, and officially declared so by a court.
compensation
B2
/ˌkɑm.pənˈseɪ.ʃən/
Money given to someone for loss, injury, or harm they have suffered.
priceless
B2
/ˈpraɪsləs/
So valuable that it cannot be bought or given a price.
assessment
B2
/əˈsɛsmənt/
A careful judgement about the quality, value, or importance of something.
collateral
B2
/kəˈlætərəl/
property or another valuable asset pledged as security for repayment of a loan
compensate
B2
/ˈkɑm.pənˌseɪt/
To pay someone money, usually for loss, injury, or work done.
financially
B2
/fəˈnænʃəli/
In a way that relates to money or finances.
assess
B2
/əˈses/
To carefully judge the quality, value, or importance of something.
comfortably
B2
/ˈkʌmftɚbli/
In a way that feels physically relaxed and pleasant.
gaming
B2
/ˈɡeɪmɪŋ/
The activity of playing video games.
costly
B2
/ˈkɑːstli/
Costing a lot of money; expensive.
lucrative
B2
/ˈlu.kɹə.tɪv/
Producing a lot of money; very profitable.
downfall
B2
/ˈdaʊnfɔːl/
A sudden loss of power, success, or wealth.
checkbook
B2
/ˈtʃek.bʊk/
a book of blank checks supplied by a bank for making payments from an account
affordable
B2
/əˈfɔɹ.də.bəl/
Cheap enough that most people can pay for it.
fiscal
B2
/ˈfɪskəl/
Relating to government money, taxes, and public spending.
pawnshop
B2
/ˈpɔnʃɑp/
A shop where you can borrow money by leaving a valuable item as security.
economical
B2
/ˌɛk.əˈnɑ.mɪ.kəl/
Not using a lot of money, fuel, or other resources; not wasteful.
voucher
B2
/ˈvaʊtʃɚ/
a printed or electronic token that can be exchanged for goods or services or used to obtain a discount
franc
B2
/fræŋk/
a unit of currency used in Switzerland and several other countries, and formerly used in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg
debit
B2
/ˈdɛb.ɪt/
An amount of money taken out of a bank account.
solvent
B2
/ˈsɔlvənt/
A liquid that can dissolve other substances.
auditor
B2
/ˈɔː.dɪ.tɚ/
a qualified person who independently examines an organization's financial records and practices
incur
B2
/ɪnˈkɝ/
To bring something unpleasant, such as cost, loss, or blame, upon yourself by your own actions.
frugal
B2
/ˈfɹuːɡəl/
Careful with money; avoiding waste.
pensioner
B2
/ˈpɛnʃənɚ/
a person who receives a pension, especially after retirement
pawnbroker
B2
/ˈpɔːnˌbɹəʊ.kə(ɹ)/
A person who lends money in exchange for items that can be sold if the loan is not repaid.
dividend
B2
/ˈdɪvɪdɛnd/
a payment made by a company to its shareholders from profits
creditor
B2
/ˈkɹɛdɪtɚ/
a person, company, or institution to whom money is owed
annuity
B2
/əˈn(j)uɪti/
a fixed amount of money paid to someone regularly, often yearly or for life
ruinous
B2
/ˈɹuː.ɪnəs/
So expensive that it could destroy you financially.
insurer
B2
/ɪnˈʃʊr.ɚ/
a person or organization that provides insurance and undertakes to pay for specified losses in return for premiums
taxable
B2
/ˈtæksəbəl/
legally subject to tax
overpay
B2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈpeɪ/
to pay more than the required, reasonable, or fair amount for something or to someone
half-dollar
B2
/ˈhæfˌdɑlər/
a United States coin worth fifty cents, or the sum of fifty cents
bleachers
B2
/ˈbliːtʃərz/
tiered rows of seats, typically uncovered, at an outdoor sports venue