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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46 words
hook
B2
/hʊk/
A curved piece of metal or plastic used to hang, hold, or catch things.
ruby
B2
/ˈɹuː.bi/
a deep red precious stone, a variety of corundum
beam
B2
/biːm/
A long, thick piece of wood or metal used to support a building or structure.
acid
B2
/ˈæsəd/
A chemical substance, often sour or corrosive, that reacts with bases and can dissolve metals.
reed
B2
/ɹiːd/
A tall, thin plant with a hollow stem that grows in or near water.
drain
B2
/dɹeɪn/
A pipe or channel that carries away waste water or liquid.
fluid
B2
/ˈfluɪd/
A liquid; a substance that flows.
pad
B2
/pæd/
A thick, soft piece of material used for protection, comfort, or to absorb liquid.
thread
B2
/θɹɛd/
A thin strand of cotton, silk, or other material used for sewing.
fabric
B2
/ˈfæb.ɹɪk/
Cloth or material made by weaving or knitting threads together.
lens
B2
/lɛnz/
A curved piece of glass or plastic that focuses light, used in cameras, glasses, and microscopes.
pint
B2
/paɪnt/
A unit for measuring liquid, equal to about half a litre.
mercury
B2
/ˈmɜɹkjəɹi/
a heavy, silvery chemical element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
soaked
B2
/səʊkt/
Completely wet with water or another liquid.
extract
B2
/ˈɛkstɹækt/
To remove or pull something out, often with effort or force.
salty
B2
/sɔl.ti/
Tasting of salt.
dye
B2
/daɪ/
To change the color of something, such as hair or cloth, using a colored liquid.
prospect
B2
/ˈpɹɑspɛkt/
The chance or likelihood that something will happen, often something good.
clarify
B2
/ˈklɛɹ.ɪ.faɪ/
To make something easier to understand by explaining it more clearly.
metallic
B2
/ˈmɛʈælɪk/
made of, containing, or resembling metal
cardboard
B2
/ˈkɑɹdˌbɔɹd/
A thick, stiff material like heavy paper, used to make boxes.
soaking
B2
/ˈsoʊkɪŋ/
Extremely wet; completely wet through.
weave
B2
/wiːv/
To make cloth or other material by crossing threads over and under each other.
pulp
B2
/pʊlp/
a soft, wet, shapeless mass made by crushing or breaking down material
aluminum
B2
/əˈlu.mɪ.nəm/
A light, silvery metal used to make cans, foil, and many other products.
gravel
B2
/ˈɡɹævəl/
small loose stones, often used on paths, roads, or driveways
potassium
B2
/pəˈtæs.i.əm/
the chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19, a soft, silvery, highly reactive alkali metal that occurs naturally only in compounds
silicon
B2
/ˈsɪl.ə.kən/
the chemical element with symbol Si and atomic number 14, a hard, brittle semiconductor abundant in rocks as silica and silicates and widely used in electronic devices
ammonia
B2
/əˈmoʊn.jə/
A colourless gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH₃) that has a strong, sharp smell.
pebble
B2
/ˈpɛb.əl/
A small, smooth, round stone, especially one shaped by water.
cannonball
B2
/ˈkænənˌbɔːl/
A heavy metal ball that was fired from a cannon in the past.
refinery
B2
/rɪˈfaɪnərɪ/
A factory where a raw substance such as oil, sugar, or metal is purified.
denim
B2
/ˈdɛnəm/
A strong, heavy cotton fabric, usually blue, used to make jeans.
magnesium
B2
/ˌmæɡˈnizi.əm/
the chemical element with atomic number 12, a light, silvery-white metal that burns with an intense white flame
amethyst
B2
/ˈæm.ə.θɪst/
a transparent purple or violet variety of quartz used as a gemstone
shale
B2
/ʃeɪl/
a fine-grained sedimentary rock formed by compacted clay, mud, or silt, typically laminated and able to split into thin layers
pigment
B2
/ˈpɪɡmənt/
a substance that gives color to animal or plant tissue or to another material
grime
B2
/ɡraɪm/
dirt, soot, or grease that is ingrained and difficult to remove
bookmark
B2
/ˈbʊk.mɑː(ɹ)k/
A saved link to a website that lets you return to it quickly.
phosphate
B2
/ˈfɑsfeɪt/
a salt or ester of phosphoric acid
manganese
B2
/ˈmæŋɡəˌniːz/
the chemical element with atomic number 25, a hard gray metal used especially to strengthen steel and in batteries
droplet
B2
/ˈdrɑːp.lət/
a very small drop of liquid, especially one suspended in a gas or deposited on a surface
earthenware
B2
/ˈɝːθənˌwɛr/
a relatively porous ceramic made from clay fired at a lower temperature than stoneware or porcelain
wallboard
B2
/ˈwɔlˌbɔrd/
Flat boards, often made with a plaster core and paper surface, used to cover walls and ceilings.
antistatic
B2
Preventing the buildup of static electricity.
soot
B2
/sʊt/
a black powdery or flaky substance produced by incomplete combustion of coal, wood, oil, etc.