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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72 words
priority
B2
/pɹaɪˈɔɹ.(ə.)ti/
Something that is more important than other things and needs attention first.
unconscious
B2
/ˌʌnˈkɑnʃəs/
Not awake or aware, usually after an injury or anaesthetic.
convincing
B2
/kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
Able to make you believe that something is true or right.
mode
B2
/moʊd/
A particular way in which a machine or system operates.
distract
B2
/dɪˈstɹækt/
To take someone's attention away from what they are doing.
intellectual
B2
/ˌɪntəˈlɛkt͡ʃʊəl/
Relating to the ability to think, understand, and reason.
striking
B2
/ˈstɹaɪkɪŋ/
Very noticeable because it is impressive or unusual.
distraction
B2
/dɪsˈtɹæk.ʃən/
Something that takes your attention away from what you should be doing.
sloppy
B2
/ˈslɑ.pi/
Done carelessly and without attention to detail.
reconsider
B2
/ˈɹikənˌsɪdɚ/
To think about a decision again, possibly to change it.
openly
B2
/ˈoʊpənli/
In a way that is not hidden; for everyone to see or know.
urgently
B2
/ˈɝːdʒəntli/
In a way that needs immediate attention because it is very important.
perception
B2
/pɚˈsɛpʃ(ə)n/
The way you understand or think about something.
misunderstand
B2
/ˌmɪsəndɝˈstænd/
To understand someone or something wrongly.
criticism
B2
/ˈkɹɪtɪsɪzm̩/
Spoken or written disapproval of someone or something, based on their faults.
straightforward
B2
/ˌstɹeɪtˈfɔː(ɹ)wə(ɹ)d/
Easy to do or understand; simple and not complicated.
spectacle
B2
/ˈspɛktəkl̩/
An impressive or exciting sight, show, or event.
undoubtedly
B2
/ʌnˈdaʊtɪdli/
Without any doubt; certainly.
impulsive
B2
/ɪmˈpʌlsɪv/
Acting suddenly on feelings, without thinking about the results.
neglect
B2
/nɪˈɡlɛkt/
To fail to look after someone or something properly.
transparent
B2
/tɹænsˈpæɹənt/
Allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be seen clearly.
accordingly
B2
/əˈkɔɹ.dɪŋ.li/
As a result; for that reason.
rightly
B2
/ˈraɪtli/
Correctly; for good reason.
mentality
B2
/mɛnˈtæləti/
a habitual way of thinking or a characteristic set of attitudes and beliefs
unanimous
B2
/juˈnænəməs/
in complete agreement
conception
B2
/kənˈsepʃən/
an idea or way of understanding something
friction
B2
/ˈfɹɪkʃən̩/
The rubbing of one object or surface against another.
socialism
B2
/ˈsoʊʃəlɪzəm/
Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
optimism
B2
/ˈɑptɪmɪzəm/
A tendency to expect the best, or to believe that things will turn out well.
unthinkable
B2
/ʌnˈθɪŋkəbəl/
too unlikely, extreme, or shocking to be imagined or considered possible
evaluate
B2
/ɪ̈ˈvaljəˌweɪt/
To judge or decide the value, quality, or importance of something after careful thought.
bias
B2
/ˈbaɪ.əs/
An unfair preference for or against a person, group, or idea.
persuasion
B2
/pɚˈsweɪʒən/
The act of getting someone to do or believe something by giving reasons.
unimaginable
B2
/ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnəbəl/
So great or extreme that you cannot imagine it.
unsure
B2
/ənˈʃʊr/
Not certain; not knowing what to think or do
catchy
B2
/ˈkæt͡ʃi/
Pleasant and easy to remember, especially a tune or phrase.
psychologically
B2
/ˌsaɪkəˈlɑːdʒɪkli/
In a way that relates to the mind and emotions.
dreamy
B2
/ˈdriːmi/
Having a calm, pleasant, almost magical quality, like a dream.
sweetly
B2
/ˈswiːtli/
in an affectionate or loving manner
foresee
B2
/fɔɹˈsi/
To know or expect that something will happen before it does.
puzzled
B2
/ˈpʌ.zl̩d/
Confused because you cannot understand something.
disapprove
B2
/ˌdɪsəˈpruːv/
To think that something is bad, wrong, or unacceptable.
invoke
B2
/ɪnˈvoʊk/
To mention or refer to something, such as a law or rule, to support your argument.
unwise
B2
/ʌnˈwaɪz/
Showing poor judgment; not sensible.
superhuman
B2
/ˌsuːpɝˈhjuːmən/
above or beyond the human or demanding more than human power or endurance
courteous
B2
/ˈkɝti.əs/
characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners
mania
B2
/ˈmeɪ.ni.ə/
Excessive or unreasonable desire; insane passion affecting one or many people; fanaticism.
ascertain
B2
/ˌæsɚˈteɪn/
to learn or discover with certainty
deem
B2
/dim/
To consider or judge something to be a certain way.
poultry
B2
/ˈpoʊltɹi/
Domestic fowl (e.g. chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese) raised for food (meat, eggs, or both).
foolishly
B2
/ˈfuːlɪʃli/
In a way that shows a lack of good sense or judgement.
conceivable
B2
/kənˈsiːvəbl̩/
possible to imagine or believe
symbolism
B2
/ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm/
Representation of a concept through symbols or underlying meanings of objects or qualities.
recollect
B2
/ɹɛkəˈlɛkt/
To bring something back to mind; to remember.
insistence
B2
/ɪnˈsɪstəns/
the act of insisting on something
freshness
B2
/ˈfɹɛʃnəs/
The state or quality of being fresh.
inferiority
B2
/ˌɪnfɪriːˈɔrɪˌtiː/
an inferior quality
outwit
B2
/ˌaʊtˈwɪt/
to defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being more clever
infer
B2
/ɪnˈfɝ/
To reach an opinion or conclusion from the information you have.
mixed-up
B2
/ˌmɪkstˈʌp/
confused, troubled, or unable to think clearly
misinterpret
B2
/ˌmɪs.ɪnˈtɝː.prət/
to understand, explain, or judge the meaning of something incorrectly
tiredness
B2
/ˈtaɪɝdnɪs/
The state of needing rest because of physical or mental effort.
misjudge
B2
/mɪsˈdʒʌdʒ/
to form an incorrect opinion or estimate of a person, situation, quantity, or outcome
unwitting
B2
/ənˈwɪtɪŋ/
not aware of the full facts or of one's involvement in something
attentively
B2
/əˈtɛntɪvli/
In a way that shows careful attention.
unrecognized
B2
/ʌnˈrek.əɡ.naɪzd/
not identified, noticed, or understood as known
agonize
B2
/ˈæɡ.ɪ.naɪz/
To worry or think very anxiously about a difficult decision.
unquestioned
B2
/ənˈkwɛstʃənd/
accepted without doubt, challenge, or investigation
prejudge
B2
/priːˈdʒʌdʒ/
To form an opinion about someone or something before knowing all the facts.
preoccupy
B2
/pɹiˈɑkjupaɪ/
To fill someone's mind so much that they cannot think about anything else.
chooser
B2
/ˈtʃuːzər/
a person or thing that makes a choice
scholasticism
B2
/skəˈlæstɪˌsɪzəm/
A medieval school of philosophy that combined classical Greek thought with Christian theology.