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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75 words
madam
B2
/ˈmæd.əm/
A polite way of addressing a woman, especially a customer.
genius
B2
/ˈd͡ʒin.jəs/
A person with exceptional intelligence or creative ability.
mercy
B2
/ˈmɝsi/
Kindness or forgiveness shown to someone you have the power to punish or harm.
decent
B2
/ˈdiːsənt/
Good enough; fairly good or acceptable.
frankly
B2
/ˈfɹæŋkli/
Used to show that you are speaking honestly and directly, even if it may sound blunt.
naughty
B2
/ˈnɔti/
(especially of a child) behaving badly and not doing what they are told.
nicely
B2
/ˈnaɪsli/
In a pleasant, kind, or attractive way.
abuse
B2
/əˈbjus/
cruel or violent treatment of a person or animal
ultimate
B2
/ălʈɪmeʈ/
The greatest or most extreme possible.
humble
B2
/ˈhʌmbəl/
Not proud; not thinking that you are better or more important than others.
sucker
B2
/ˈsʌkɚ/
a gullible person who is easily deceived or exploited; informal and disapproving
genuine
B2
/ˈd͡ʒɛn.juˌɪn/
Real and exactly what it appears to be; not fake.
arrogant
B2
/ˈæɹ.ə.ɡənt/
Believing you are better or more important than other people.
elegant
B2
/ˈel.ə.ɡənt/
Graceful and stylish in a way that shows good taste.
devoted
B2
/dɪˈvoʊtəd/
Loving and loyal; giving someone or something a lot of care and attention.
sincere
B2
/sɪnˈsɪɹ/
Honest and truly meaning what you say or do; not pretending.
subtle
B2
/ˈsʌtəl/
So slight that it is not easy to notice.
offend
B2
/əˈfɛnd/
To upset or annoy someone by saying or doing something rude or hurtful.
underestimate
B2
/ʌndɚˈɛs.tɪ.meɪt/
To think that something is smaller, easier, or less important than it really is.
hospitality
B2
/ˌhɑ.spɪˈtæl.ə.ti/
Friendly and generous treatment of guests and visitors.
facilities
B2
/fəˈsɪlɪtiz/
Buildings, equipment, or services provided for a particular purpose.
presidential
B2
/pɹɛzɪˈdɛnʃ(ə)l/
Relating to a president or to a presidency.
rib
B2
/ɹɪb/
One of the curved bones that surround and protect your chest.
idle
B2
/ˈaɪd(ə)l/
Not being used or not working at the moment.
genuinely
B2
/ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/
In a sincere and honest way; truly.
wink
B2
/ˈwɪŋk/
To close and open one eye quickly as a friendly or secret signal.
generosity
B2
/ˌd͡ʒɛn.əˈɹɑ.sə.ti/
The quality of being kind and willing to give money, time, or help.
cheeky
B2
/ˈt͡ʃiːki/
Slightly rude or bold, often in a way that is funny or charming.
sporting
B2
/ˈspɔɹtɪŋ/
Relating to or used in sports.
flaw
B2
/flɔ/
A fault or weakness that makes something less than perfect.
goodwill
B2
/ɡʊdˈwɪl/
A kind and friendly attitude towards other people.
sparkling
B2
/ˈspɑɹkl̩ɪŋ/
Shining brightly with many small points of light.
witty
B2
/ˈwɪti/
Clever and amusing in a quick way.
truthful
B2
/ˈtɹuːθ.f(ə)l/
Honest and telling the truth.
resourceful
B2
/rɪˈsɔɹsfəl/
skilled at finding clever and practical ways to overcome difficulties with the means available
unkind
B2
/ʌnˈkaɪnd/
Not kind; cruel or unpleasant to others.
trait
B2
/tɹeɪt/
A particular quality or feature of someone's personality or character.
impolite
B2
/ɪmpəˈlaɪt/
Not polite; rude or showing bad manners.
kicker
B2
/ˈkɪkɚ/
a person or animal that kicks
tubby
B2
/ˈtʌb.i/
informal: short, broad, and plump in build
chipper
B2
/ˈt͡ʃɪpɚ/
cheerful, lively, and in good spirits
tenderly
B2
/ˈtɛn.dɚ.li/
In a gentle, kind, and loving way.
hospitable
B2
/hɑsˈpɪtəbl̩/
Friendly and generous toward guests and visitors.
show-off
B2
/ˈʃoʊˌɔf/
a person who deliberately displays their abilities or possessions to attract attention or admiration
skillful
B2
/ˈskɪl.fəl/
able to do something very well, especially with the hands or mind
wiz
B2
/wɪz/
a person who is exceptionally clever, gifted or skilled in a particular area.
taunt
B2
/tɔnt/
To say cruel or mocking things to someone to upset or provoke them.
tomboy
B2
/ˈtɑːm.bɔɪ/
a girl who behaves or dresses in ways traditionally associated with boys
benevolence
B2
/bəˈnɛvələns/
Kindness and a wish to do good for others.
neighborly
B2
/ˈneɪbɚli/
friendly, helpful, and considerate in the manner expected of a good neighbour
inert
B2
/ɪnˈɝt/
Not moving or not able to move.
girlish
B2
/ˈɡɝ.lɪʃ/
characteristic of or resembling a girl, especially in appearance or manner
offhand
B2
/ˌɔfˈhænd/
Not friendly or polite; treating someone in a careless way.
conceit
B2
/kənˈsiːt/
too much pride in yourself and what you can do
indulgent
B2
/ɪnˈdʌld͡ʒənt/
Willing to allow someone, especially a child, to do or have whatever they want.
elegantly
B2
/ˈɛlɪgəntˌliː/
In a graceful and stylish way that shows good taste.
flatterer
B2
/ˈflæt̬.ɚ.ɚ/
a person who gives excessive or insincere praise, usually to gain favor
personable
B2
/ˈpɜːsn̩əbl/
pleasant, friendly, and easy to like in manner or appearance
self-confident
B2
/ˌsɛlfˈkɑːnfədənt/
sure of your own abilities and worth
hyperbole
B2
/haɪˈpɝbəli/
Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.
truthfulness
B2
/ˈtɹuθfəlnəs/
The quality of being honest and telling the truth.
soliloquy
B2
/səˈlɪləkwi/
A speech in a play in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud, alone on stage.
suppressor
B2
/səˈprɛsɝ/
a person or thing that suppresses, restrains, or prevents something
boaster
B2
/ˈboʊstər/
a person who talks with excessive pride about their achievements or possessions
broad-shouldered
B2
/ˌbrɔdˈʃoʊldɚd/
having wide or powerfully built shoulders
silly-billy
B2
/ˌsɪliˈbɪli/
informal, especially British: a silly or foolish person, used as a mild or affectionate teasing expression
devilment
B2
/ˈdɛvəlmənt/
mischievous, reckless, or troublesome behavior
impolitely
B2
In a rude way that shows bad manners or no respect for others.
good-humored
B2
/ˌɡʊdˈhjuːmɚd/
cheerful, friendly, and not easily annoyed
worktable
B2
A table built for doing a particular kind of work.
starer
B2
/ˈstɛrɝ/
a person who looks fixedly or for a long time
insulter
B2
/ɪnˈsʌltər/
a person who insults another
owlish
B2
/ˈaʊ.lɪʃ/
resembling or characteristic of an owl, especially in having large eyes or a solemn expression
unblushing
B2
/ˌʌnˈblʌʃɪŋ/
showing no embarrassment or shame; unabashed or shameless
environmentally friendly
B2