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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158 words
prime
B2
/pɹaɪ̯m/
Most important; main.
assure
B2
/əˈʃɔː(ɹ)/
To tell someone something confidently so they feel less worried.
surrender
B2
/səˈɹɛndə(ɹ)/
To stop fighting and admit that you have been defeated.
timing
B2
/ˈtaɪmɪŋ/
The choice of the right moment for something to happen.
shed
B2
/ʃɛd/
To get rid of something you no longer want or need.
insult
B2
/ɪnˈsɒlt/
To say or do something rude that offends someone.
bothered
B2
/ˈbɑːðɝd/
Feeling annoyed, worried, or upset.
audition
B2
/ɑˈdɪʃən/
A short performance to show whether an actor, singer, or musician is suitable for a role.
threaten
B2
/ˈθrɛtən/
To say that you will hurt or punish someone, especially to make them do what you want.
embrace
B2
/ɛmˈbɹes/
To hold someone closely in your arms to show affection; to hug.
scheme
B2
/skiːm/
An official plan or programme to achieve something.
consent
B2
/kənˈsɛnt/
Permission for something to happen or be done.
spite
B2
/spaɪt/
A desire to hurt, annoy, or upset someone out of ill will.
proposed
B2
/pɹəˈpoʊzd/
Suggested or planned but not yet put into action.
cooperation
B2
/koʊˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃən/
The act of working together toward a shared goal.
manual
B2
/ˈmæn.j(u)əl/
A book that explains how to use or operate something.
torch
B2
/tɔɹt͡ʃ/
A small electric lamp you hold in your hand; a flashlight.
fulfill
B2
/fʊlˈfɪl/
To do or complete something you promised or were required to do.
tolerate
B2
/ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/
To allow something you dislike to happen without trying to stop it.
courtesy
B2
/ˈkɝɾəsi/
Polite and considerate behaviour.
divided
B2
/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
Separated into different parts or pieces.
cease
B2
/sis/
To stop happening or to stop doing something.
cue
B2
/ˈkjuː/
A signal or event that tells someone to do something.
straighten
B2
/ˈstɹeɪtn̩/
To make something straight or straighter.
desperately
B2
/ˈdɛsp(ə)ɹətli/
In a way that shows you want or need something very much.
execute
B2
/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/
To carry out a plan, order, or task.
assembly
B2
/əˈsɛmb.li/
A group of people who gather together for a shared purpose.
intent
B2
/ˌɪnˈtɛnt/
what you plan or aim to do; your intention.
vow
B2
/vaʊ/
A serious, solemn promise.
whack
B2
/wæk/
to hit someone or something hard, usually with a quick forceful blow
grasp
B2
/ɡɹasp/
To take and hold something firmly, especially with your hand.
adoption
B2
/əˈdɑp.ʃən/
The act of legally taking a child into your family to raise as your own.
doom
B2
/duːm/
A terrible fate, especially death or destruction, that seems impossible to avoid.
initiative
B2
/ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/
A new plan or action started to solve a problem or improve something.
entertaining
B2
/ˌɛntəɹˈteɪnɪŋ/
Amusing and enjoyable; holding your interest.
temptation
B2
/ˌtɛmpˈteɪʃən/
A strong wish to have or do something you know you should avoid.
extension
B2
/ɪkˈstɛnʃən/
An extra part added to something to make it bigger or longer.
donation
B2
/doʊˈneɪʃən/
Something, especially money, given to a charity or good cause.
vanish
B2
/ˈvænɪʃ/
To disappear suddenly and completely.
addicted
B2
/əˈdɪktɪd/
unable to stop taking a drug or doing something harmful
shaken
B2
/ˈʃeɪkən/
Upset, shocked, or frightened by something.
inherit
B2
/ɪnˈhɛɹɪt/
To receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die.
manipulate
B2
/məˈnɪp.jə.leɪt/
To control or influence someone cleverly or unfairly, often for your own benefit.
exploit
B2
/ˈɛksplɔɪt/
To treat someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.
alternate
B2
/ɔlʈə(r).neʈ/
To do two things one after the other, by turns.
exhausting
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔ(ː)stɪŋ/
Making you very tired.
haste
B2
/heɪst/
Great speed in doing something, often with too little care.
exaggerate
B2
/ɛɡˈzæd͡ʒ.ə.ɹeɪt/
To make something seem larger, better, or worse than it really is.
sustain
B2
/səˈstæɪn/
To keep something going or in existence over time.
wed
B2
/ˈwɛd/
To marry someone.
itch
B2
/ɪt͡ʃ/
To have an uncomfortable feeling on the skin that makes you want to scratch
pry
B2
/pɹaɪ/
to force something apart, open, or out of position by using leverage
conceal
B2
/kənˈsil/
to hide something so that it cannot be seen or found out
thrilling
B2
/ˈθɹɪlɪŋ/
Very exciting and enjoyable.
pancake
B2
/ˈpæn.keɪk/
A thin, flat cake made from batter and cooked in a pan on both sides.
unlimited
B2
/ʌnˈlɪm.ɪ.tɪd/
Having no limit; as much as you want.
merge
B2
/mɝd͡ʒ/
To join or combine two or more things into one.
reluctant
B2
/ɹɪˈlʌktənt/
Not wanting to do something; unwilling.
amuse
B2
/əˈmjuːz/
To make someone laugh or smile.
exhaust
B2
/ɪɡˈzɔst/
To make someone extremely tired.
disregard
B2
/dɪsɹɪˈɡɑɹd/
To ignore something or treat it as unimportant.
duplicate
B2
/ˈd(j)uː.plɪˌkeɪt/
An exact copy of something.
anticipate
B2
/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/
To expect something to happen and be ready for it.
observer
B2
/əbˈzɝvɚ/
A person who watches something happen.
puncture
B2
/ˈpʌŋkt͡ʃɚ/
a small hole made by a sharp point
devote
B2
/dɪˈvoʊt/
To give your time, energy, or attention fully to a person, activity, or purpose.
hygiene
B2
/ˈhaɪˌd͡ʒiːn/
The practice of keeping yourself and your surroundings clean to stay healthy.
feat
B2
/fiːt/
An impressive achievement that needs great skill, strength, or courage.
obedience
B2
/oʊˈbidiəns/
The act of doing what you are told to do by someone in authority.
decoration
B2
/ˌdɛkəˈɹeɪʃən/
Something added to make a place or object look more attractive.
folly
B2
/ˈfɑli/
Foolish behaviour that shows a lack of good sense.
divert
B2
/daɪˈvɝt/
To change the direction or route of something.
anticipation
B2
/ænˌtɪs.əˈpeɪ.ʃən/
A feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.
paralysis
B2
/pəˈɹæləsəs/
The loss of the ability to move part or all of the body.
participation
B2
/pɑɹˌtɪs.ɪˈpeɪ.ʃən/
The act of taking part in an activity or event.
refresh
B2
/ɹɪˈfɹɛʃ/
To make someone feel less tired and more energetic.
prosper
B2
/ˈpɹɑspɚ/
To be successful and do well, especially financially.
handicap
B2
/ˈhændikæp/
Something that makes it harder to do or achieve something.
endurance
B2
/ɪnˈdʊɹəns/
The ability to keep going through pain, difficulty, or long effort.
inevitably
B2
/ˌɪˈnɛvətəbli/
In a way that cannot be avoided or prevented.
expectation
B2
/ˌek.spekˈtæɪ.ʃən/
A belief that something will happen or that someone will do something.
inquire
B2
/ɪnˈkwaɪɹ/
To ask for information about something.
incentive
B2
/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/
Something that encourages you to do something, often a reward or payment.
serene
B2
/səˈɹi(ː)n/
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
amaze
B2
/əˈmeɪz/
To surprise someone very much; to fill with wonder.
pharmacist
B2
/ˈfɑɹməsɪst/
A person whose job is to prepare and sell medicines and give advice on how to use them.
authorize
B2
/ˈɔθəɹaɪz/
To give someone official permission to do something.
cherished
B2
/ˈt͡ʃɛɹɪʃt/
Loved and considered very important or valuable.
delegate
B2
/ˈdɛlɪɡət/
A person chosen to speak or act for a group of others.
spur
B2
/spɝ/
To encourage or push someone to do something.
consensus
B2
/kənˈsɛnsəs/
General agreement among the members of a group.
endeavor
B2
/ɛnˈdɛv.ɚ/
A serious effort or attempt to do something
unwilling
B2
/ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/
Not wanting to do something; reluctant.
benevolent
B2
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
Kind and wanting to help others.
persist
B2
/pɚˈsɪst/
To keep trying to do something despite difficulty or opposition.
indispensable
B2
/ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/
So important or necessary that you cannot manage without it.