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.
Choose your level
View all levels
421 words
claustrophobia
C1
/ˌklɔː.strəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/
A strong fear of being in small, closed, or crowded spaces.
periodically
C1
/ˌpiːriːˈɑːdɪkəli/
In a manner that is regular or periodic.
vertically
C1
/ˈvɝ.tɪ.kəli/
in a vertical direction
voracious
C1
/vɔːˈɹeɪ.ʃəs/
Eating or wanting food in very large amounts.
dependence
C1
/dɪˈpɛndəns/
The state of needing or relying on someone or something.
enterprising
C1
/ˈɛntɝˌpraɪzɪŋ/
Showing imagination, energy, and a readiness to take on new projects.
magenta
C1
/məˈdʒen.tə/
a vivid reddish-purple color; in printing, one of the primary subtractive colors
reminiscent
C1
/ˌɹɛməˈnɪsnt/
Reminding you of someone or something (usually followed by 'of').
fissure
C1
/ˈfɪʃ.ɚ/
A long, narrow crack or split, especially in rock or the ground.
patter
C1
/ˈpæt.ɚ/
a quick succession of light rapid sounds
conditional
C1
/kənˈdɪʃ.ə.nəl/
Depending on a particular condition being met first.
institutional
C1
/ˌɪn.stɪˈtju.ʃə.nəl/
Relating to or involving a large organization such as a bank, hospital, or university.
full-fledged
C1
/ˌfʊlˈfledʒd/
completely developed, established, trained, or qualified
effortless
C1
/ˈɛfə(ɹ)tlɪs/
done so well that it seems to need no effort
boyish
C1
/ˈbɔɪ.ɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young boy
distort
C1
/dɪˈstoɹt/
To give a false or misleading account of something.
veneration
C1
/ˌvɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/
Deep respect, reverence, or admiration for someone or something.
auburn
C1
/ˈɑːbɚn/
reddish-brown in color, especially when describing hair
predominantly
C1
/pɹɪˈdɒmɪnəntli/
Mostly; mainly.
undignified
C1
/ʌnˈdɪɡnəˌfaɪd/
lacking dignity, seriousness, or proper self-control, especially in a way that causes embarrassment
unchanging
C1
/ənˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
remaining constantly unchanged
showy
C1
/ˈʃoʊ.i/
Attracting attention by being bright, large, or fancy, sometimes in a tasteless way.
abound
C1
/əˈbaʊnd/
To exist in very large numbers or quantities.
speculative
C1
/ˈspɛkjuləˌtɪv/
Based on guessing rather than firm knowledge or evidence.
inexplicably
C1
/ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbli/
In a way that cannot be explained or understood.
unwavering
C1
/ˌənˈweɪvəɹɪŋ/
Firm and steady, never weakening or changing.
monotony
C1
/məˈnɑtəni/
The dull sameness that comes from doing the same thing over and over with no variety.
implicitly
C1
/ˌɪmˈplɪsətli/
without ever expressing so clearly
resonate
C1
/ˈɹez.əˌnæɪt/
To be meaningful or important to someone; to connect with their feelings or beliefs.
chalky
C1
/ˈtʃɑː.ki/
containing or consisting of chalk or calcium carbonate
bloodstained
C1
/ˈblʌdˌsteɪnd/
marked, soaked, or discolored with blood
coldly
C1
/ˈkoʊldli/
In a cold or uncaring manner; indifferently.
remedial
C1
/ɹɪˈmi.di.əl/
Intended to help students improve skills they are weak in.
certifiable
C1
/ˈsɝtəˌfaɪəbəl/
capable of being officially certified, verified, or guaranteed
unsightly
C1
/ʌnˈsaɪt.li/
unpleasant or unattractive to look at
notably
C1
/ˈnoʊtəbli/
Especially; used to point out an important example.
resilience
C1
/ɹɪˈzɪl.ɪ.əns/
The ability to recover quickly from difficulties, illness, or misfortune.
herein
C1
/hɪɹˈɪn/
in this place or thing or document
negligible
C1
/ˈnɛɡlɪd͡ʒɪbəl/
So small or unimportant that it is not worth considering.
preferential
C1
/ˌpref.ɚˈen.ʃəl/
giving or receiving an advantage, priority, or more favorable treatment than others
mauve
C1
/moʊv/
pale purple in color, often with a gray or pink tinge
treatise
C1
/ˈtɹiːtɪs/
A formal, usually lengthy, systematic discourse on some subject.
shipshape
C1
/ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp/
neat, orderly, and in good working condition
unsung
C1
/ˌʌnˈsʌŋ/
not publicly recognized or praised despite deserving recognition
aptly
C1
/ˈæp(t).li/
In an apt or suitable manner; fittingly; appropriately; suitably
toughness
C1
/ˈtʌfnəs/
The quality of being strong and able to endure hardship.
vitally
C1
/ˈvaɪ.tə.li/
to a vital degree
automation
C1
/ˌɔ.təˈmeɪ.ʃən/
equipment used to achieve automatic control or operation
fabulously
C1
/ˈfæb.jʊ.ləs.li/
Extremely; to a very great degree.
hibernate
C1
/[ˈhɑɪbəˌnɛɪt]/
(Of some animals) to spend the winter in a deep sleep-like state to save energy.
objectionable
C1
/əbˈdʒɛkʃənəbəl/
liable to objection or debate
detestable
C1
/dɪˈtɛstəbl̩/
Deserving to be hated; extremely unpleasant or offensive.
convoluted
C1
/ˌkɑnvəˈlutəd/
Extremely complicated and difficult to follow.
utensil
C1
/ˈju.tɛn.sɪl/
A tool or container used in the kitchen for cooking or eating.
porous
C1
/ˈpɔɹəs/
allowing passage in and out
absurdly
C1
/æbˈsɝd.li/
in an absurd manner or to an absurd degree
charmingly
C1
/ˈtʃɑːrmɪŋli/
In a charming manner.
panoramic
C1
/ˌpænəˈɹæmɪk/
Showing a wide view of a large area.
tubular
C1
/ˈtuːbjələr/
shaped like a tube or made from one or more tubes
unilateral
C1
/ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl/
affecting, occurring on, or involving only one side of the body or another structure
benchmark
C1
/ˈbɛn(t)ʃmɑːk/
A standard or point of reference against which things can be measured or judged.
inertial
C1
/ɪˈnɝ.ʃəl/
of or relating to inertia
unsustainable
C1
/ˌənsəˈsteɪnəbəl/
Unable to continue at the current level without causing harm or running out of resources.
ruthlessness
C1
/ˈruːθləsnəs/
The quality of showing no pity or mercy.
waxy
C1
/ˈwæk.si/
made of, coated with, or resembling wax in texture, surface, or lustre
nondescript
C1
/nɑndəˈskɹɪpt/
Having no special or interesting qualities; ordinary and hard to describe.
principally
C1
/ˈprɪnsɪpli/
Mainly; for the most part.
versatility
C1
/ˌvɜɹ.səˈtɪl.ɪ.ti/
The quality of having many different skills or uses
naivety
C1
/nɑːˈiːvti/
A lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement; the quality of being too trusting.
oddity
C1
/ˈɑdɪti/
A strange or unusual thing.
synopsis
C1
/sɪˈnɑpsɪs/
A short summary of the main points of a book, film, or other work.
amply
C1
/ˈæm.pli/
In a way that is more than enough; fully or generously.
unshakable
C1
/ʌnˈʃeɪ.kə.bəl/
of a belief, fact, relationship, or system, so firm or secure that it cannot easily be weakened, changed, or disproved
needful
C1
/ˈniːdfl̩/
necessary for relief or supply
meteoric
C1
/ˌmiːtiˈɒɹɪk/
like a meteor in speed or brilliance or transience
gape
C1
/ˈɡeɪp/
To stare with your mouth open in surprise or wonder.
inasmuch
C1
/ˌɪnəzˈmʌt͡ʃ/
In like degree; in like manner; to the same or similar degree; likewise.
ferociously
C1
/fɝˈoʊʃɪsli/
In a fierce, violent, or aggressive way.
innovate
C1
/ˈɪnəveɪt/
To create or introduce new ideas, methods, or products.
personage
C1
/ˈpɝsənɪd͡ʒ/
A person, especially one who is famous or important.
physicality
C1
The quality of being physical, especially relating to the body and its strength or presence.
tedium
C1
/ˈtiːdiːəm/
The state of being bored, usually because something is long or repetitive.
unmanageable
C1
/ənˈmænɪdʒəbəl/
Difficult or impossible to control or deal with.
out-and-out
C1
/ˌaʊtənˈaʊt/
complete, absolute, and without qualification
centimetre
C1
/ˈsɑ̃.-/
An SI unit of length equal to 10⁻² metres. Symbol: cm
contentedly
C1
/kənˈtɛn.tɪd.li/
with equanimity
climactic
C1
/ˌklaɪˈmæk.tɪk/
Forming or relating to the most exciting or decisive moment.
ceaselessly
C1
/ˈsiːzləsli/
Without ever stopping or pausing.
superficially
C1
/ˈsuːpɝˌfɪʃəli/
In a shallow way, without going into depth.
ashy
C1
/ˈæʃi/
pale or gray like ash, especially because of illness, shock, or fear
phenomenally
C1
/fəˈnɑːmənəli/
In a remarkable or amazing way
aspirational
C1
/ˌæspəˈɹeɪʃənəl/
expressing ambition, hope, or a desired higher status
pallor
C1
/ˈpælɚ/
Unnatural paleness, especially as a sign of sickness or distress.
grammatical
C1
/ɡɹəˈmæt.ɪ.kəl/
conforming to the rules of grammar or usage accepted by native speakers
feathery
C1
/ˈfɛðəri/
covered, edged, or decorated with feathers
readable
C1
/ˈɹiː.də.bəl/
Clear enough to be read or made out.