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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154 words
damn
B2
/ˈdæm/
Used to express anger, surprise, or annoyance (informal).
lord
B2
/lɔɹd/
A man of high rank in the nobility, or his title.
bloody
B2
/ˈblʌ.diː/
Covered in or marked by blood.
ow
B2
/ˈaʊ/
A cry expressing sudden physical pain.
shooting
B2
/ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
An event in which someone is hit or killed with a gun.
willing
B2
/ˈwɪlɪŋ/
Ready and happy to do something; not refusing.
suffering
B2
/ˈsʌfəɹɪŋ/
A state of pain, distress, or great unhappiness.
convinced
B2
/kənˈvɪnst/
Feeling completely sure that something is true.
torture
B2
/ˈtoɹt͡ʃɚ/
The act of causing someone severe pain, often to punish them or force a confession.
ease
B2
/iz/
The state of being able to do something without difficulty.
conscience
B2
/ˈkɑn.ʃəns/
The part of your mind that tells you whether what you are doing is right or wrong.
lousy
B2
/ˈlaʊ.zi/
Very bad; of poor quality.
worrying
B2
/ˈwʌɹ.i.ɪŋ/
Causing you to feel anxious or concerned.
relief
B2
/ɹɪˈliːf/
The good feeling you get when worry, pain, or trouble ends or eases.
gambling
B2
/ˈɡæm.bl̩.ɪŋ/
The activity of risking money on a game or event in the hope of winning more.
creepy
B2
/ˈkɹipi/
Causing an uneasy, frightened feeling, as if something were crawling over your skin.
grief
B2
/ɡɹiːf/
Deep sadness, especially after someone you love dies.
prick
B2
/pɹɪk/
To make a small hole in something with a sharp point.
nerves
B2
/nɝvz/
Feelings of worry or fear, especially before an important event.
buzz
B2
/bʌz/
To make a low, continuous humming sound, like a bee.
madness
B2
/ˈmæd.nəs/
The state of being mentally ill; insanity.
flip
B2
/flɪp/
To turn something over quickly so the other side shows.
betray
B2
/bɪˈtɹeɪ/
To harm someone who trusts you by being disloyal or untrue to them.
stab
B2
/stæb/
To push a knife or other sharp object into someone or something.
scandal
B2
/ˈskændəl/
An event that shocks people and damages the reputation of those involved.
relieved
B2
/ɹɪˈliːvd/
Feeling happy and free from worry because a problem or fear has gone.
flame
B2
/fleɪm/
The bright burning gas you see in a fire.
grip
B2
/ɡɹɪp/
To hold something tightly with your hand.
instinct
B2
/ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/
A natural way of behaving or feeling that you are born with, not learned.
furious
B2
/ˈfjʊɹ.i.əs/
Extremely angry.
dreadful
B2
/ˈdɹɛd.fl̩/
Extremely bad or unpleasant.
passionate
B2
/ˈpæʃənɪt/
Showing or feeling very strong emotions or enthusiasm.
possessed
B2
/pəˈzɛst/
Controlled by an evil spirit.
explosive
B2
/ɛkˈsploʊsɪv/
Able to explode or likely to explode.
stew
B2
/stʃʉː/
A dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid.
compassion
B2
/kəmˈpæʃən/
A strong feeling of sympathy for people who are suffering, together with a wish to help them.
pine
B2
/ˈpaɪn/
A tall evergreen tree with long thin needles instead of leaves.
thrill
B2
/θɹɪl/
A sudden strong feeling of excitement and pleasure.
identification
B2
/aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃn̩/
An official document that proves who you are.
loneliness
B2
/ˈloʊnlinəs/
The sad feeling of being alone and without company.
yacht
B2
/jɑːt/
A light, fast boat used for pleasure trips or racing.
confront
B2
/kənˈfɹʌnt/
To deal with a difficult situation or problem directly.
glow
B2
/ɡloʊ/
To give off a soft, steady light without flames.
quarrel
B2
/ˈkwɔɹəl/
An angry argument or disagreement.
agony
B2
/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/
Very severe pain.
despise
B2
/dɪˈspaɪz/
To hate someone or something and feel that they deserve no respect.
dearly
B2
/ˈdɪɹli/
In a way that shows deep love or affection.
exquisite
B2
/ˈɛkskwəzət/
Extremely beautiful and delicate.
tickle
B2
/ˈtɪkl̩/
To touch someone lightly in a way that makes them laugh or twitch.
consolation
B2
/ˌkɑn.səˈleɪ.ʃən/
Comfort you feel after a disappointment or loss.
calmly
B2
/ˈkɑːmli/
In a relaxed way, without showing worry, anger, or fear.
bravery
B2
/ˈbɹeɪ.və.ɹi/
Courage; the quality of facing danger or pain without showing fear.
nervously
B2
/ˈnɝːvəsli/
In a worried or frightened way.
cruelty
B2
/ˈkɹuː(ə)lti/
Behaviour that causes pain or suffering to others, without any sympathy.
morale
B2
/məˈɹæl/
the degree of confidence, enthusiasm, discipline, and willingness to continue felt by a person or group, especially during difficulty or danger
cowardly
B2
/ˈkaʊɝdli/
Lacking courage; afraid to face danger or difficulty.
moody
B2
/ˈmuːdi/
Often changing mood and becoming unhappy or annoyed without warning.
glee
B2
/ɡliː/
Great joy or delight, often at one's own luck or another's misfortune.
scarlet
B2
/ˈskɑɹlɪt/
Of a bright, vivid red colour.
gloomy
B2
/ˈɡlumi/
Dark in a way that feels depressing or unwelcoming.
outrage
B2
/ˈaʊt.ɹeɪd͡ʒ/
A strong feeling of shock and anger.
outbreak
B2
/ˈaʊtbɹeɪk/
The sudden start of something unpleasant, especially a disease.
desperation
B2
/ˌdɛspəˈɹeɪʃən/
A feeling of having no hope that makes you ready to do anything.
hesitation
B2
/ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/
A pause before doing something, usually because you are nervous or unsure.
grieve
B2
/ˈgriːv/
To feel deep sadness, especially because someone has died.
awe
B2
/ɔ/
A feeling of great respect mixed with wonder or slight fear.
dread
B2
/dɹɛd/
To feel very afraid or anxious about something that is going to happen.
symbolic
B2
/sɪmˈbɑːlɪk/
Standing for or representing something else, often an idea or feeling.
shaky
B2
/ˈʃeɪki/
Shaking or trembling, often from weakness, fear, or illness.
tenderness
B2
/ˈtɛn.dɚ.nɪs/
A gentle, warm, and loving feeling toward someone.
patriotic
B2
/peɪ.tɹiˈɑ.tɪk/
Feeling or showing great love and support for your country.
sincerity
B2
/sɪnˈsɛɹəti/
The quality of being honest and truly meaning what you say.
anguish
B2
/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/
Severe pain or suffering of the mind or body.
picky
B2
/ˈpɪki/
Very fussy; only happy when things are exactly the way you want them.
heartbroken
B2
/ˈhɑːrtˌbroʊkən/
overwhelmed by grief, disappointment, or emotional loss
incense
B2
/ˈɪnsɛns/
A substance that gives off a sweet smell when it is burned.
compassionate
B2
/kəmˈpæʃənət/
Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for people who are suffering.
affectionate
B2
/əˈfɛkʃənət/
Showing fondness or love towards others.
carefree
B2
/ˈkɛɚfɹi/
Happy and relaxed because you have no worries or problems.
irritated
B2
/ˈɪɹ.ɪˌteɪ.tɪd/
Feeling slightly angry or annoyed
humane
B2
/hjuˈmeɪn/
Showing kindness and care, and trying to avoid causing pain or suffering.
eruption
B2
/ɪˈɹʌpʃən/
The sudden throwing out of lava, ash, and gas from a volcano.
indebted
B2
/ɪnˈdɛtɪd/
Feeling grateful to someone for their help or a favour.
assurance
B2
/əˈʃɔːɹəns/
A promise or statement meant to make someone feel confident.
ecstatic
B2
/ɛkˈstætɪk/
Extremely happy and excited.
ballad
B2
/ˈbæləd/
A slow, romantic song.
astonished
B2
/æ- -d/
Feeling or showing very great surprise.
inspirational
B2
/ˌɪnspəˈɹeɪʃənəl/
Making you feel excited, hopeful, or eager to do something good.
patriotism
B2
/ˈpeɪtɹi.əˌtɪzəm/
Love of your country and a willingness to support and defend it.
passionately
B2
/ˈpæʃənətli/
In a way that shows very strong emotion or enthusiasm.
unrest
B2
/ʌnˈɹɛst/
A state of trouble and anger among people, often shown through protests or riots
detachment
B2
/dɪˈtæt͡ʃmənt/
A feeling of not being emotionally involved with someone or something.
gulp
B2
/ɡʌlp/
To swallow food or drink quickly in large amounts.
yearn
B2
/jɝn/
To want something very much, especially something you do not have.
glare
B2
/ɡlɛɚ/
To stare at someone in an angry way.
reverence
B2
/ˈɹɛv.ə.ɹəns/
A feeling of deep respect or admiration for someone or something.