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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57 words
gunshot
B2
/ˈɡʌn.ʃɑt/
The act of firing a gun, or the sound it makes.
blast
B2
/blæst/
To break or destroy something using explosives.
slap
B2
/slæp/
To hit someone with the open hand, often on the face.
smash
B2
/smæʃ/
To break something suddenly and violently into pieces.
foul
B2
/faʊl/
Very unpleasant to smell, taste, or touch; disgusting.
hush
B2
/hʌʃ/
To make someone or something become quiet, or to become quiet.
slam
B2
/ˈslæm/
To shut something with great force, making a loud noise.
detect
B2
/dɪˈtɛkt/
To notice or discover something that is hard to see or find.
clap
B2
/klæp/
To hit your hands together repeatedly to show you are pleased.
jingle
B2
/ˈdʒɪŋɡəl/
a light, repeated ringing sound made when small metal or glass objects strike one another
humiliating
B2
/hjuːˈmɪliˌeɪtɪŋ/
Making someone feel ashamed, foolish, or embarrassed.
herb
B2
/(h)ɝb/
A plant whose leaves or seeds are used to add flavour to food.
microphone
B2
/ˈmaɪ.kɹəˌfoʊn/
A device that turns sound into an electrical signal so it can be recorded or made louder.
yummy
B2
/ˈjʌm.i/
Very pleasant to taste; delicious.
zoom
B2
/zuːm/
To move very fast, often with a humming sound.
distinguished
B2
/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃt/
Very successful and respected; famous for great achievements.
peacefully
B2
/ˈpiːsfəli/
In a calm and quiet way, without trouble or violence.
fascinated
B2
/ˈfæsɪneɪtɪd/
Extremely interested in something.
pow
B2
/paʊ/
used to imitate or emphasize the sudden sound of a gunshot, explosion, or hard impact
revelation
B2
/ˌɹɛv.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
A surprising fact that is made known, especially one that changes how you see things.
distinct
B2
/dɪˈstɪŋkt/
Clearly different or separate from something else.
fragrance
B2
/ˈfɹeɪɡɹən(t)s/
A pleasant smell.
squeak
B2
/skwiːk/
a short, high-pitched sound made by a small animal or by objects rubbing together
perceive
B2
/pɚˈsiv/
To become aware of something through the senses, especially sight.
blindfold
B2
/ˈblaɪndfoʊld/
a strip of cloth or other covering placed over the eyes to prevent sight
blindly
B2
/ˈblaɪndli/
Without being able to see, or without looking.
blindness
B2
/ˈblaɪndnəs/
The condition of not being able to see.
elegance
B2
/ˈɛl.ɪ.ɡəns/
Graceful beauty and good taste in appearance, manners, or style.
fearsome
B2
/ˈfɪɹsəm/
Frightening, especially in appearance.
inadequate
B2
/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/
Not enough or not good enough for what is needed.
tiresome
B2
/ˈtaɪɚsəm/
Making you feel bored or annoyed; tedious.
faintly
B2
/ˈfeɪntli/
in a way that is weak, quiet, dim, or hard to notice
distortion
B2
/dɪˈstɔrʃən/
A change that makes something untrue or inaccurate; a misrepresentation.
overhear
B2
/oʊ.vɚˈhɪɚ/
To hear something that you were not meant to hear, usually by accident.
trample
B2
/ˈtɹæmpəl/
To step on something heavily and crush or damage it with your feet.
decorative
B2
/ˈdɛk.ə.ɹə.tɪv/
Intended to make something look attractive rather than to be useful.
narcissistic
B2
/ˌnɑɹ.sɪˈsɪs.tɪk/
Excessively focused on oneself, one's appearance, or one's own importance.
sizzle
B2
/ˈsɪzəl/
to make a hissing sound like food cooking in hot fat
interactive
B2
/ˌɪn.tɚˈæk.tɪv/
allowing the user to take part and respond, rather than just watch or listen.
crackle
B2
/ˈkræk.əl/
to make a rapid series of short, sharp popping sounds
amplifier
B2
/ˈæm.plə.faɪ.ɚ/
A piece of electronic equipment that makes a sound or signal louder or stronger.
mutter
B2
/ˈmʌtɚ/
To speak quietly and unclearly, often when complaining or annoyed.
gaudy
B2
/ˈɡɔ.di/
Too bright or showy in a way that lacks taste.
indignity
B2
/ɪnˈdɪɡ.nɪ.ti/
A situation that makes you feel ashamed or that you are not respected.
bellow
B2
/ˈbɛloʊ/
To shout in a very loud, deep voice.
spellbound
B2
/ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/
So fascinated by something that you cannot look or turn away; completely captivated.
tactile
B2
/ˈtæktaɪl/
Relating to the sense of touch.
outwardly
B2
/ˈaʊtwɚdli/
In the way something appears on the surface; in outer appearance.
uncomfortably
B2
/ənˈkʌmftəbli/
In a way that is physically unpleasant.
cornet
B2
/kɔɹˈnɛt/
A brass musical instrument, slightly smaller than a trumpet and with a bright tone.
binocular
B2
/bɪˈnɒkjʊlɚ/
using or involving both eyes together
mortify
B2
/ˈmoɹtɪfaɪ/
To make someone feel very embarrassed or ashamed.
wearisome
B2
/ˈwɪəɹisəm/
Making you feel tired or bored; tedious.
mechanize
B2
/ˈmɛkənaɪz/
To replace manual work with machines.
unclearly
B2
In a way that is hard to understand, see, or hear.
collocation
B2
/ˌkɑl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/
A pair or group of words that are often used together and sound natural to native speakers.
squeal
B2
/skwiːl/
to make a high-pitched, loud sound, often due to excitement or fear