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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275 words
master
B2
/ˈmas.tə/
To learn or become very skilled at something.
darling
B2
/ˈdɑɹlɪŋ/
A person you love very much, often used as a loving way to address someone.
idiot
B2
/ˈɪd͡ʒət/
A stupid or foolish person.
mate
B2
/meɪt/
A friend.
narrator
B2
/ˈnæˌɹeɪtɚ/
The person who tells a story, especially the voice telling it in a book or film.
devil
B2
/ˈdɛvəl/
An evil supernatural being; in many religions, the chief spirit of evil.
inspector
B2
/ɪnˈspɛk.tɚ/
A person whose job is to officially check that something is correct or meets standards.
DNA
B2
/ˌdiˌɛnˈeɪ/
The substance in living cells that carries genetic information and passes on characteristics.
terms
B2
/tɝmz/
The conditions of an agreement or contract.
freak
B2
/fɹiːk/
To suddenly become very angry, frightened, or upset (often "freak out").
charming
B2
/ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋ/
Pleasant and attractive in a way that makes people like you.
senator
B2
/ˈsɛn.ə.tɚ/
A member of a senate, the higher house of a parliament or legislature.
pa
B2
/pɑː/
Father; dad.
coward
B2
/ˈkaʊɚd/
A person who is too afraid to do what is difficult or dangerous.
sensitive
B2
/ˈsɛn.sɪt.ɪv/
Easily upset or hurt by what people say or do.
tunnel
B2
/ˈtʌn(ə)l/
A passage built under the ground or through a hill, often for trains, cars, or people.
noble
B2
/ˈnoʊbəl/
Having or showing high moral qualities such as honesty, courage, and generosity.
tribe
B2
/tɹaɪb/
A group of people who share the same culture, language, and ancestry, often led by a chief.
deputy
B2
/ˈdɛpjəti/
A person whose rank is just below the leader and who can act for them.
traitor
B2
/ˈtɹeɪtɚ/
A person who betrays their country, often by helping an enemy.
testing
B2
/ˈtɛs.tɪŋ/
The act of checking how well something works or performs.
punk
B2
/ˈpʌŋk/
A style of loud, fast, rebellious rock music and its associated subculture from the 1970s.
walker
B2
/ˈwaːkæ/
A person who walks, especially for pleasure or exercise.
random
B2
/ˈɹændəm/
Happening or chosen without any plan, pattern, or reason.
Soviet
B2
/ˈsoʊvi.ət/
Relating to the former Soviet Union or its people.
medication
B2
/mɛdɪˈkeɪʃən/
A medicine, or the medicines a person takes regularly.
whip
B2
/ˈwɪp/
A long thin piece of leather or rope with a handle, used for hitting animals or people.
Mexican
B2
/ˈmɛksək(ə)n/
relating to Mexico, its people, languages, or culture
superman
B2
/ˈsuː.pɚˌmæn/
a man imagined to possess extraordinary or superhuman powers and abilities
parade
B2
/pəˈɹeɪd/
A public celebration in which people walk or march through the streets, often with music and decorations.
rehearsal
B2
/ɹɪˈhɝsl̩/
A practice session to prepare for a public performance such as a play or concert.
solo
B2
/ˈsoʊ.loʊ/
Alone, without anyone else.
anonymous
B2
/əˈnɑ.nə.məs/
With a name that is not known or not made public.
fame
B2
/feɪm/
The state of being well known to many people.
ally
B2
/ˈæl.aɪ/
A country or group that agrees to support another, especially in war or politics.
worthless
B2
/ˈwɝθləs/
Having no value or use.
therapist
B2
/ˈθɛɹəpɪst/
A person trained to treat people, professionally, especially their mental or physical health.
tomb
B2
/tum/
A grave or stone structure where a dead person is buried.
discipline
B2
/ˈdɪsəplɪn/
The ability to control your own behaviour and keep working hard.
tricky
B2
/ˈtɹɪk.i/
Difficult to deal with or do; complicated.
pointed
B2
/ˈpɔɪntɪd/
Having a sharp end or point.
pirate
B2
/ˈpaɪɹət/
A person who attacks and robs ships at sea.
prostitute
B2
/ˈpɹɑstəˌtut/
a person who engages in sexual activity in exchange for payment
auction
B2
/ˈɔkʃən/
A public sale where goods are sold to the person who offers the most money.
bully
B2
/ˈbʊli/
A person who deliberately frightens or hurts weaker people
rebel
B2
/ˈɹɛb.əl/
A person who fights against or refuses to obey those in power.
hilarious
B2
/hɪˈlɛ(ə)ɹ.i.əs/
Extremely funny; making people laugh a lot.
publicity
B2
/pʌbˈlɪsɪti/
Attention or interest from the public, especially through newspapers, TV, or social media.
exception
B2
/əkˈsɛpʃən/
A person, thing, or case that is not included in a general rule or statement.
caring
B2
/ˈkɛɹ.ɪŋ/
Kind, and showing concern and sympathy for other people.
racist
B2
/ˈɹæɪ.sɪst/
Treating people unfairly or with hatred because of their race.
memorial
B2
/məˈmɔːɹi.əl/
A structure or object that helps people remember a person or event.
sophisticated
B2
/səˈfɪstəˌkeɪtɪd/
Advanced and complicated in design or method.
revolutionary
B2
/ˌɹɛvəˈluʃənɛɹi/
Completely new and bringing a major change.
panel
B2
/ˈpænəl/
A group of people who discuss, judge, or answer questions in public.
bartender
B2
/ˈbɑɹˌtɛndɚ/
A person whose job is making and serving drinks at a bar.
rally
B2
/ˈrali/
A large public meeting held to support a cause or a person.
disorder
B2
/dɪsˈɔɹdɚ/
An illness or condition that affects the normal working of the body or mind.
sketch
B2
/sket͡ʃ/
a quick, rough drawing that is not meant to be finished or detailed
gangster
B2
/ˈɡæ̝ŋ.stɚ/
A member of an organized group of criminals.
institution
B2
/ˌɪn.stɪˈtʃuː.ʃən/
A large, important, long-established organization, such as a university, bank, or hospital.
pension
B2
/ˈpɛnʃən/
A regular sum of money paid to a person after they retire from work.
rival
B2
/ˈɹaɪvəl/
A person, team, or company competing with another for the same thing.
elite
B2
/ɪˈlit/
The richest, most powerful, or most talented people in a society or group.
radical
B2
/ˈɹædɪkəl/
Involving great or complete change.
rack
B2
/ɹæk/
A frame or shelf for holding or hanging things.
outrageous
B2
/aʊtˈɹeɪdʒəs/
Shocking and unacceptable.
legendary
B2
/ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənˌdɛɹ.i/
So famous and admired that people tell stories about it.
consult
B2
/ˈkɑnsʌlt/
To go to a person or source for advice or information.
carnival
B2
/ˈkɑɹnɪvəl/
A public festival with music, parades, dancing, and people in costumes.
barrier
B2
/ˈbæɹi.ɚ/
Something that stops you from making progress or reaching a goal.
thoughtful
B2
/ˈθɔtfəl/
Showing kindness and care for what other people need or feel.
foreman
B2
/ˈfɔː(ɹ).mən/
A person in charge of a group of workers, especially in a factory or on a building site.
psychology
B2
/saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/
The scientific study of the mind and human behaviour.
keeper
B2
/ˈkiːpɚ/
A person who looks after or guards something or someone.
collector
B2
/kəˈlɛk.tɚ/
A person who gathers and keeps a set of similar things as a hobby.
partnership
B2
/ˈpɑɹtnɚʃɪp/
A working relationship in which people or groups share responsibility for a goal.
salon
B2
/səˈlɑn/
A place where people go to have their hair or beauty treatments done.
millionaire
B2
/ˌmɪl.jəˈnɛɹ/
A person who has at least a million dollars, pounds, or other currency.
associated
B2
/əˈsoʊʃieɪtɪd/
Connected with or related to a particular thing, person, or idea.
queer
B2
/kwɪɹ/
Relating to people whose sexuality or gender does not fit traditional norms; used as a positive self-description by many.
injection
B2
/ɪnˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/
The act of putting a drug or liquid into the body with a needle, or the dose given this way.
formation
B2
/fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
The act or process of forming or developing something.
bomber
B2
/ˈbɑmɚ/
A military aircraft built to carry and drop bombs.
savior
B2
/ˈseɪvjɚ/
a person who rescues someone from danger, harm, or serious difficulty
mentor
B2
/ˈmɛn.toɹ/
An experienced person who gives advice and guidance to someone less experienced.
norm
B2
/nɔɹm/
What is usual, normal, or expected.
exile
B2
/ɪɡˈzaɪl/
The state of being forced to live away from your home or country.
boxer
B2
/ˈbɑksɚ/
A person who fights with their fists as a sport.
maestro
B2
/ˈmaɪstɹoʊ/
A great composer, conductor, or musician.
gardener
B2
/ˈɡɑɹd.n̩.ɚ/
A person who grows plants and takes care of a garden, as a job or hobby.
nuisance
B2
/ˈnuː.səns/
Something that annoys you or causes trouble.
wit
B2
/wɪt/
The ability to say clever, funny things quickly.
recruit
B2
/ɹɪˈkɹut/
To find and take on new members, workers, or soldiers.
dynamic
B2
/dɑɪˈnæm.ɪk/
Full of energy and new ideas; lively and forceful.
translator
B2
/ˈtɹænzleɪtɚ/
A person whose job is to change written text from one language into another.