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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55 words
suck
B2
/sʌk/
To pull liquid or air into your mouth using your lips and breath.
skull
B2
/ˈskʌl/
The bony framework of the head that protects the brain.
nerve
B2
/nɝv/
One of the thin fibres in your body that carry messages between your brain and other parts.
resistance
B2
/ɹɪˈzɪstəns/
The act of fighting against or refusing to accept something.
stroke
B2
/stɹoʊk/
To move your hand gently over a surface, again and again.
lame
B2
/ˈleɪm/
Boring, weak, or not impressive.
shield
B2
/ˈʃiːld/
A broad piece of metal, wood, or other material held in the hand to protect the body in battle.
AIDS
B2
/eɪdz/
A serious, often fatal disease that destroys the body's immune system, spread mainly through blood and sexual contact.
rash
B2
/ˈræʃ/
An area of red, irritated spots on the skin.
biological
B2
/ˌbaɪ.əˈlɑ.d͡ʒɪ.kəl/
Connected with biology or with living things.
tumor
B2
/tuː.məɹ/
An abnormal lump of tissue that grows in or on the body and can be harmful.
pinky
B2
/ˈpɪŋ.ki/
the smallest finger, farthest from the thumb
burial
B2
/ˈbɛɹiəl/
The act of placing a dead body in the ground, usually with a ceremony.
urine
B2
/ˈjʊrɪn/
the liquid waste produced by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and discharged from the body
lid
B2
/lɪd/
A cover for the top of a container, such as a box, jar, or pan.
vomit
B2
/ˈvɑmɪt/
To throw up the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
limb
B2
/lɪm/
An arm, leg, or wing of a person or animal.
cuff
B2
/kɐf/
The end part of a sleeve, around the wrist.
cardiac
B2
/ˈkɑrdiˌæk/
relating to the heart or its action
pitcher
B2
/ˈpɪt͡ʃ.ɚ/
the position on a baseball team of the player who throws the ball for a batter to try to hit
spinal
B2
/spaɪ.nəl/
of or relating to the spine or spinal cord
rejection
B2
/ɹɪˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/
The act of refusing to accept, agree to, or believe in something.
bruise
B2
/ˈbruːz/
To injure part of the body so that a dark mark appears on the skin without breaking it
neural
B2
/ˈnʊrəl/
relating to nerves, neurons, or the nervous system
nipple
B2
/ˈnɪpəl/
the small projecting part of a breast or mammary gland through which milk can pass
vitals
B2
/ˈvaɪtəlz/
the internal organs essential to life, especially the heart, lungs, and brain
saliva
B2
/səˈlaɪvə/
the clear liquid secreted into the mouth that moistens food and begins digestion
coalition
B2
/koʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/
A group of political parties or organizations that join together for a shared aim.
frontal
B2
/ˈfɹʌn.tl̩/
belonging to the front part
snore
B2
/snoɹ/
To breathe noisily through your nose and mouth while you are asleep.
ointment
B2
/ˈɔɪn(t)m(ə)nt/
A thick, smooth cream rubbed on the skin to treat or soothe it.
wasp
B2
/wɑsp/
A flying insect with a thin black-and-yellow body that can give a painful sting.
cortex
B2
/ˈkɔrtɛks/
the outer layer of an organ or body structure, especially the outer part of the brain
bloodstream
B2
/ˈblʌdˌstriːm/
The blood as it flows around the body.
stimulation
B2
/ˈstɪm.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/
The act of encouraging activity, interest, or growth.
hydraulic
B2
/haɪˈdɹɔːlɪk/
of or relating to the study of hydraulics
intestine
B2
/ɪnˈtestɪn/
the long digestive tube between the stomach and anus, especially either its small or large section
forearm
B2
/ˈfɔɹˌɑɹm/
the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist
rhinoceros
B2
/ɹaɪˈnɑ.sə.ɹəs/
A large, heavy African or Asian animal with thick grey skin and one or two horns on its nose.
crease
B2
/ˈkriːs/
A line or fold made in cloth, paper, or skin by pressing or folding.
legislative
B2
/ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ɪˌsleɪ.tɪv/
Relating to making laws or to the body that makes them.
dimple
B2
/ˈdɪm.pəl/
a small natural hollow in the cheek or chin, especially one visible when a person smiles
sternum
B2
/ˈstɝnəm/
the flat bone at the front of the chest to which the ribs or their cartilages attach; the breastbone
retina
B2
/ˈɹɛt.ə.nə/
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that sends images to the brain.
reformation
B2
/ˌɹɛfɚˈmeɪʃən/
An improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices, etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social, political or religious affairs or in the conduct of persons or operation of organizations.
eyelid
B2
/ˈaɪ.lɪd/
The piece of skin that moves down to cover and open the eye.
cornea
B2
/ˈkɔːrniə/
the transparent curved layer at the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil and helps focus light
cheekbone
B2
/ˈtʃiːkˌboʊn/
the prominent bone below and beside the eye that forms the upper part of the cheek and part of the eye socket
instep
B2
/ˈɪnˌstɛp/
the arched upper part of the foot between the toes and the ankle
tonsil
B2
/ˈtɑːn.səl/
either of the two visible masses of lymphatic tissue at the back of the throat
handicraft
B2
/ˈhændɪkɹæft/
The skill of making things by hand, such as pottery or weaving.
fleshly
B2
/ˈflɛʃli/
relating to the physical body or to flesh rather than the mind or spirit
prod
B2
/prɑːd/
to poke someone with a finger, foot, or pointed object
stirrup
B2
/ˈstɪɹəp/
a metal loop attached to a saddle for a rider's foot
gland
B2
/ɡlænd/
an organ or group of cells that produces and releases a substance such as a hormone, enzyme, or sweat