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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170 words
trustee
C1
/tɹʌsˈtiː/
A person who is legally responsible for managing property or money for someone else.
dowager
C1
/ˈdaʊədʒɚ/
a widow who holds property, income, or a title derived from her late husband
adolescence
C1
/ˌædəˈlɛsəns/
the period of development between childhood and adulthood, beginning around puberty
rapport
C1
/ɹæˈpɔɹ/
A close, friendly relationship in which people understand each other and communicate well.
collaborator
C1
/kəˈlæbəɹeɪtɚ/
A person who works together with others on a shared task or goal.
anthropology
C1
/ˌænθɹəˈpɑləd͡ʒi/
The scientific study of human beings, their societies, cultures, and development.
physique
C1
/fəˈziːk/
The shape and form of a person's body, especially when muscular.
reportedly
C1
/rɪˈpɔrtədli/
According to what people say or to news reports, though not certainly true.
citation
C1
/ˌsaɪˈteɪʃən/
A short note that credits the source of information or a quotation.
ideological
C1
/ˌaɪ.di.əˈlɑ.d͡ʒɪ.kəl/
Relating to a system of political, social, or economic ideas and beliefs.
anthropologist
C1
/ˌæn.θɹoʊˈpɑl.ə.d͡ʒɪst/
A scientist who studies human societies, cultures, and origins.
extremist
C1
/ɪkˈstɹiːmɪst/
A person who holds extreme political or religious views and may use extreme methods.
strapping
C1
/ˈstræpɪŋ/
(of a person) tall, strong, and healthy-looking.
cynic
C1
/ˈsɪnɪk/
A person who believes people are selfish and expects the worst of them.
stimulus
C1
/ˈstɪm.jə.ləs/
Something that encourages activity or growth, especially in the economy.
demographic
C1
/ˌdɛməˈgræfɪk/
Relating to the size and makeup of human populations
desertion
C1
/dɪˈzɝʃən/
The act of abandoning a person, duty, or cause that you should support.
notable
C1
/ˈnoʊɾəbl̩/
Important or interesting enough to be noticed; worth paying attention to.
unmanned
C1
/ʌnˈmænd/
Operated without a person on board or in control.
constituency
C1
/kənˈstɪt͡ʃu.ənsi/
An area whose voters elect a representative to a parliament or assembly.
screenwriter
C1
/ˈskriːnˌraɪtɝ/
A person who writes the scripts for films or television programmes.
individuality
C1
/ˌɪndɪvɪd͡ʒuˈælɪti/
the qualities that make a person or thing different from everyone or everything else
impersonate
C1
/ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/
To pretend to be another person, especially to deceive others.
sentient
C1
/ˈsɛn.ʃi.ənt/
Able to feel, sense, or experience things.
arbor
C1
/ˈɑɹbɚ/
a framework that supports climbing plants
sponsorship
C1
/ˈspɑːnsɝˌʃɪp/
Financial or other support given by a sponsor to a person, event, or organization.
womanhood
C1
/ˈwʊmənˌhʊd/
the state or period of being an adult woman
clique
C1
/kliːk/
a small, exclusive group whose members associate closely and may use their influence to exclude outsiders
stimuli
C1
/ˈstɪm.jʊˌlaɪ̯/
Things that cause a reaction or response in people, animals, or things (plural of stimulus)
regulator
C1
/ˈɹɛɡ.ju.leɪ.tɚ/
An official person or body that sets and enforces the rules of an industry or activity.
impersonation
C1
/ˌɪmpɝsəˈneɪʃən/
The act of pretending to be another person.
norms
C1
/ˈnɔrmz/
Accepted standards or ways of behaving that are usual in a society or group.
overseer
C1
/ˈəʊvəˌsiːə(ɹ)/
A person who watches over and directs the work of others.
tactful
C1
/ˈtæktfəl/
Careful not to say or do anything that might upset or offend other people.
impersonator
C1
/ˌɪmˈpɝːsəneɪtɝ/
An entertainer who copies the voice and manner of famous people.
malay
C1
/məˈleɪ/
a member of a Southeast Asian people native especially to the Malay Peninsula and parts of the Malay Archipelago
telltale
C1
/ˈtɛlteɪl/
Clearly revealing something, often something meant to be hidden.
elitist
C1
/eɪˈliːtɪst/
Believing that a small group of privileged people should have the most power or be treated as the best.
subscriber
C1
/səbˈskɹaɪbɚ/
A person who pays to regularly receive a publication or service.
rediscover
C1
/riːdɪˈskʌvɝ/
To find or experience again something you had lost or forgotten.
applicable
C1
/əˈplɪk.ə.bəl/
Relevant to a particular person, thing, or situation; able to be used in a given case.
altruism
C1
/ˈæl.tɹu.ɪz.əm/
Unselfish concern for the welfare and happiness of other people.
collaborative
C1
/kəˈlæb.ə.ɹə.tɪv/
Involving two or more people working together.
self-worth
C1
The sense that you are a good and valuable person.
mountaineer
C1
/ˌmaʊn.tɪnˈɪɹ/
A person who climbs mountains for sport or pleasure.
ceaseless
C1
/ˈsiːsləs/
Continuing without ever stopping.
Tasmanian
C1
/tæzˈmeɪniən/
a native or inhabitant of Tasmania, an island state of Australia
possessor
C1
/pəˈzɛsɝ/
A person who owns or holds something.
chauffer
C1
/ˈt͡ʃɔː.fə/
A misspelling of chauffeur, a person employed to drive someone's car.
personalize
C1
/ˈpɝ.sə.nəˌlaɪz/
To adapt something to suit the needs or tastes of a particular person.
viciousness
C1
/ˈvɪʃəsnɪs/
the trait of extreme cruelty
menfolk
C1
/ˈmɛnˌfoʊk/
the male members of a family, community, or other group, often in traditional or old-fashioned usage
straggler
C1
/ˈstɹæɡlɚ/
a person or animal that falls behind or becomes separated from a group
peasantry
C1
/ˈpɛzəntri/
peasants considered collectively as a rural social class
socialization
C1
/ˌsoʊʃəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
The process of learning the behaviour and customs of one's society, especially as a child.
dramatist
C1
/ˈdɹæmətɪst/
A person who writes plays.
paternalistic
C1
/pəˌtɝːnəˈlɪstɪk/
Looking after people in a kind but controlling way, deciding what is best for them without asking.
disturber
C1
/dɪˈstɝːbɚ/
a person or thing that interrupts peace, order, concentration, or normal activity
depopulation
C1
/diːˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən/
a substantial decline in the number of people living in a place
insensitively
C1
In a way that shows no concern for other people's feelings.
intercultural
C1
/ˌɪntɚˈkʌltʃɚəl/
involving, occurring between, or relating to people from different cultures
demography
C1
/dɪˈmɑːgrəfi/
The study of human populations and how they change in size and makeup
paywall
C1
/ˈpeɪ.wɔl/
A system that blocks access to online content unless you pay for it
personalization
C1
/ˌpɝs(ə)nəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
The act of adapting something to suit a person's needs or tastes.
insightfully
C1
In a way that shows deep understanding of a person or situation.
maternalistic
C1
Treating people in a caring but controlling, mother-like way.
gawker
C1
/ˈɡɔːkər/
a person who stares openly and often rudely
inquest
C1
/ˈɪnkwɛst/
a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to an incident, such as a death
insignia
C1
/ɪnˈsɪɡniə/
a badge or emblem of authority or honor
limpet
C1
/ˈlɪmpɪt/
a marine mollusk with a conical shell that clings tightly to rocks
rout
C1
/ɹaʊt/
a disorderly retreat of defeated troops
secession
C1
/sɪˈsɛʃən/
the action of withdrawing formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state
snooty
C1
/ˈsnuːti/
showing disapproval or contempt towards others perceived as socially inferior
willowy
C1
/ˈwɪloʊi/
gracefully tall, slender, and lithe, often used to describe a person's physique