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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76 words
making
B2
/ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
The act or process of producing or creating something.
practically
B2
/ˈpɹæktɪk(ə)li/
Almost; very nearly.
massage
B2
/məˈsɑ(d)ʒ/
The act of rubbing and pressing the body to relax muscles or relieve pain.
shrink
B2
/ˈʃɹɪŋk/
To become smaller in size or amount.
corrupt
B2
/kəˈɹʌpt/
Willing to act dishonestly in return for money or power.
developing
B2
/dɪˈvɛl.ə.pɪŋ/
In the process of growing or being formed.
addict
B2
/ˈæd.ɪkt/
a person who cannot stop taking a harmful drug
warming
B2
/ˈwoɹmɪŋ/
The process of becoming warmer.
outcome
B2
/ˈaʊtkʌm/
The result or effect of an action, event, or process.
improved
B2
/ɪmˈpɹuːvd/
Made or become better in quality.
activate
B2
/ˈæktɪˌveɪt/
To make a device, system, or alarm start working.
reform
B2
/ˌɹiːˈfɔɹm/
To change a system, law, or organization to make it better and fairer.
alter
B2
/ˈɔl.təɹ/
To change something, or make it different.
boost
B2
/buːst/
To increase or improve something.
telescope
B2
/ˈtɛl.əˌskoʊp/
An instrument that makes distant objects look closer and larger, especially stars and planets.
lighten
B2
/ˈlaɪ.tn̩/
To become brighter, or to make something brighter.
transition
B2
/tɹænˈzɪ.ʃən/
The process of changing from one state, condition, or situation to another.
convert
B2
/ˈkɑn.vɚt/
To change something into a different form, substance, or state.
weary
B2
/ˈwɪɹi/
Very tired, especially after a lot of effort.
reborn
B2
/ˌriːˈbɔːrn/
revived, renewed, or given a fresh sense of life
revive
B2
/ɹəˈvaɪv/
To bring something back into use, activity, or popularity.
blur
B2
/blɝ/
To make something unclear or hard to see clearly.
decisive
B2
/dɪˈsɪsɪv/
Able to make choices quickly and firmly.
index
B2
/ˈɪndɛks/
An alphabetical list at the back of a book showing where topics can be found.
evolve
B2
/ɪˈvɑlv/
To change and develop gradually over time.
edit
B2
/ˈɛdɪt/
To change or correct a piece of writing to improve it.
convertible
B2
/kənˈvɝtəbəl/
capable of being changed, exchanged, or treated as equivalent to another form
adjustment
B2
/əˈd͡ʒɐst.mənt/
a small change made to something to improve it or make it fit
imply
B2
/ˌɪmˈplaɪ/
To suggest something without saying it directly.
redo
B2
/ɹiˈduː/
To do something again, usually to fix or improve it.
overrun
B2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɹʌn/
to spread over or fill a place in uncontrolled or excessive numbers
weaken
B2
/ˈwikən/
To make something or someone less strong.
stimulate
B2
/ˈstɪm.jəˌleɪt/
To encourage something to develop or become more active.
arouse
B2
/əˈɹæɔz/
To cause a feeling or reaction in someone.
radically
B2
/ˈɹædɪkli/
In a way that involves great or complete change.
unchanged
B2
/ʌnˈt͡ʃeɪnd͡ʒd/
Staying the same; not made or become different.
widen
B2
/ˈwaɪdn̩/
To make something wider, or to become wider.
implication
B2
/ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən/
A possible effect or result of an action or decision in the future.
modification
B2
/ˌmɑdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
A change made to something to improve it or make it more suitable.
adorn
B2
/əˈdɔɹn/
To decorate something or make it more attractive.
legislature
B2
/ˈlɛd͡ʒɪˌsleɪt͡ʃɚ/
The group of people with the power to make, change, and remove laws.
broaden
B2
/[ˈbɹɑ.dn̩]/
To make something wider or to cover more things.
foothold
B2
/ˈfʊthoʊld/
a secure initial position or basis from which further progress can be made
inflate
B2
/ɪnˈflæɪt/
To fill something with air or gas so that it becomes bigger.
amplify
B2
/ˈæm.plə.faɪ/
To make a sound louder.
emergence
B2
/ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒ(ə)ns/
The process of coming into existence or starting to develop
revolutionize
B2
/ˌɹɛv.əˈl(j)u.ʃəˌnaɪz/
To change something completely and in a way that improves it greatly.
stimulant
B2
/ˈstɪmjʊlənt/
A substance or drug that makes the body or mind more active.
magnify
B2
/ˈmæɡnɪfaɪ/
To make something look bigger using a lens, microscope, or telescope.
powerfully
B2
/ˈpaʊɚf(ə)li/
In a way that has great strength, force, or effect.
worsen
B2
/wɔːsn̩/
To become worse.
vaporize
B2
/ˈveɪ.pɚ.aɪz/
to convert a liquid or solid into vapor, or to become vapor
inaugurate
B2
/ɪˈnɔː.ɡjəˌreɪt/
to open, begin, or introduce something formally or ceremonially
overheat
B2
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈhiːt/
to become hotter than is safe, necessary, or desirable
lengthen
B2
/ˈlɛŋθən/
To make something longer.
recast
B2
/ˌɹiːˈkæst/
to present, express, or organize something in a substantially different form
readjust
B2
/ˌriːəˈdʒʌst/
to become accustomed again to a situation or to adapt to changed circumstances
downsize
B2
/ˈdaʊnsaɪz/
To make a company smaller by reducing the number of workers.
breakage
B2
/ˈbɹeɪkɪd͡ʒ/
the act or result of breaking something, especially accidental damage
legislate
B2
/ˈlɛd͡ʒɪsˌleɪt/
To make laws.
moisten
B2
/ˈmɔɪsən/
to make something slightly wet or damp
gymnastic
B2
/d͡ʒɪmˈnæstɪk/
Relating to gymnastics or physical exercises that develop strength and balance.
redistribute
B2
/ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/
to distribute resources, wealth, responsibilities, or other things in a different way
equalize
B2
/ˈiː.kwə.laɪz/
to make two or more amounts, conditions, opportunities, or effects equal
crystallize
B2
/ˈkɹɪstəlaɪz/
To make an idea, plan, or feeling clear and definite, or to become clear in this way.
upturn
B2
/ˈʌp.tɝn/
An upward turn or trend, especially in business activity or profit.
mutable
B2
/ˈmjuːtəbəl/
Able to change or be changed.
standardize
B2
/ˈstændɚˌdaɪz/
to make things follow the same agreed form, rule, or level of quality
equalization
B2
/ˌiː.kwə.ləˈzeɪ.ʃən/
the process of making amounts, conditions, rights, or opportunities equal or more nearly equal
overgrowth
B2
/ˈoʊvɚˌɡroʊθ/
excessive, abnormal, or uncontrolled growth in size, amount, or number
flexibly
B2
/ˈflɛksəbli/
In a way that can change easily to suit different conditions.
tatter
B2
/ˈtætə(ɹ)/
A torn, hanging piece of cloth or paper.
refold
B2
/ɹiːˈfoʊld/
To fold again.
relock
B2
/ˌriːˈlɑk/
to lock something again
shrivel
B2
/ˈʃrɪvəl/
to become or make something dry and wrinkled, often due to loss of moisture
indraught
B2
/ˈɪnˌdræft/
A draft or drawing inward.