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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421 words
blithely
C1
/ˈblaɪθli/
In a carefree way that shows no concern, often when you should be concerned.
uncultured
C1
/ʌnˈkʌl.tʃɚd/
(of persons) lacking art or knowledge
unaided
C1
/əˈneɪdɪd/
carried out without aid or assistance
tiptop
C1
/ˈtɪpˌtɑːp/
informal: excellent or of the highest quality
refreshingly
C1
/riːˈfrɛʃɪŋli/
in a pleasantly new or different way
appallingly
C1
/ʌˈpɑlɪŋli/
In a shocking and extremely bad way.
unrivaled
C1
/ʌnˈraɪvəld/
having no equal or competitor; better or greater than all others of the same kind
specification
C1
/ˌspɛsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
A detailed description of how something should be made, designed, or done.
flat-footed
C1
/ˈflætˌfʊtɪd/
informal: directly, openly, and without qualification or hesitation
fiendishly
C1
/ˈfiːndɪʃli/
In an evil or wicked way.
soluble
C1
/ˈsɑljəbəl/
susceptible of solution or of being solved or explained
tactfully
C1
/ˈtæktfəli/
In a way that is careful not to offend or upset others.
defensible
C1
/dɪˈfen.sə.bəl/
capable of being justified or supported by sound reasons
shortlist
C1
A short list of the best candidates chosen from a larger group, from which a final choice is made.
bluntness
C1
/ˈblʌnt.nəs/
the quality of being direct and outspoken
provocatively
C1
/proʊˈvɑːkətɪvli/
In a way that deliberately causes a strong reaction or argument.
fiddly
C1
/ˈfɪdli/
Difficult to do or use because it involves small parts or careful handling.
minutiae
C1
/maɪˈn(j)uːʃ(ɪ)ˌiː/
The very small or unimportant details of something.
reductive
C1
/ɹɪˈdʌktɪv/
characterized by or causing diminution or curtailment
overripe
C1
/ˌoʊ.vərˈraɪp/
too ripe and beginning to become soft, spoiled, or fermented
smugly
C1
/ˈsmʌgli/
In a way that shows you are too pleased with yourself.
undoubted
C1
/ʌnˈdaʊtɪd/
Without doubt; without question; certain.
refurbish
C1
/ɹiˈfɝbɪʃ/
To repair and improve something so it looks or works like new again.
prohibitive
C1
/pɹəˈhɪbɪtɪv/
So high in price or cost that something is impossible to afford.
gingerly
C1
/ˈdʒɪndʒɚli/
with great care or caution, especially to avoid pain, damage, or danger
washtub
C1
/ˈwɑːʃˌtəb/
A large tub used for washing clothes.
impish
C1
/ˈɪmpɪʃ/
Playfully naughty in an amusing, mischievous way.
refurbishment
C1
/riːˈfɝːbɪʃmənt/
The work of repairing and improving something so it looks or works like new.
popularly
C1
/ˈpɑːpjəlɝli/
among the people
poky
C1
/ˈpoʊki/
informal, especially British: too small, cramped, or lacking space
blotch
C1
/blɑtʃ/
an irregular patch or spot of color, staining, or discoloration
underdone
C1
/ˌʌn.dərˈdʌn/
not cooked or browned enough
explosively
C1
/ˌɛkˈsploʊsɪvli/
In a way that involves an explosion or a sudden violent force.
ecstatically
C1
/ɛkˈstætɪkli/
In a way that shows extreme happiness and excitement.
unworkable
C1
/ʌnˈwɝkəbəl/
not capable of being carried out successfully or put into practical operation
ludicrously
C1
/ˈluːdɪkɹəsli/
In a way that is absurd or unreasonable, often to the point of being funny.
fanatically
C1
/fəˈnæt.ɪk(.ə)li/
In a way that shows extreme, intense enthusiasm or devotion.
unswerving
C1
/ʌnˈswɝːvɪŋ/
firm, constant, and dependable, especially in loyalty or purpose
imperishable
C1
/ɪmˈpɛrɪʃəbəl/
not subject to decay, destruction, or death; lasting forever
unimpeded
C1
/ˌʌnɪmˈpiːdɪd/
not obstructed, delayed, or prevented
uninspiring
C1
/ʌn.ɪnˈspaɪɹ.ɪŋ/
Dull and not interesting or exciting
irretrievable
C1
/ˌɪr.əˈtriː.və.bəl/
impossible to recover, restore, or put right
incontestable
C1
/ˌɪnkənˈtɛstəbəl/
so clearly true or valid that it cannot reasonably be disputed
plausibility
C1
/ˌplɔzɪˈbɪlɪti/
The quality of seeming reasonable or likely to be true.
expeditious
C1
/ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃəs/
done or acting with speed and efficiency
elongate
C1
/əˈlɔŋˌɡeɪt/
To make something longer, or to become longer, by stretching or extending.
appreciable
C1
/əˈpɹiːʃəbl/
enough to be estimated or measured
desirability
C1
/dɪˌzaɪrəˈbɪləti/
the quality or degree of being wanted, attractive, beneficial, or worth having or doing
unenviable
C1
/əˈnɛnˌviːəbəl/
So difficult or unpleasant that no one would want to be in it.
conditionally
C1
/kənˈdɪʃənəli/
In a way that depends on a certain condition being met.
startlingly
C1
/ˈstɑːrtlɪŋˌliː/
In a way that is surprising or shocking.
dog-tired
C1
/ˌdɔɡˈtaɪrd/
informal: extremely tired; exhausted
naturalness
C1
the quality of being natural, relaxed, and not forced
pendulous
C1
/ˈpɛndʒələs/
Hanging loosely downward, especially so as to swing freely.
dynamically
C1
in a way that keeps changing or developing
baronial
C1
/bəˈroʊniəl/
large, grand, and imposing in a way associated with a wealthy noble's home
chaotically
C1
In a confused, disorganised, and uncontrolled way.
voraciously
C1
In a way that shows a huge hunger or eager desire for something.
superfine
C1
/ˌsuːpərˈfaɪn/
of exceptionally high quality or fineness, especially as a grade of cloth or another commodity
tediously
C1
/ˈtiːdiːəsli/
In a way that is boring and seems to last too long.
inexcusably
C1
/ˌɪnɪksˈkjuːzəbli/
In a way that cannot be justified or forgiven.
credibly
C1
/ˈkɹɛdɪbli/
In a way that can be believed or trusted.
plausibly
C1
/ˈplɔzəbli/
In a way that seems reasonable or likely to be true.
prohibitively
C1
/proʊˈhɪbətɪvli/
To a degree that makes something impossible to afford or do.
remorselessly
C1
Without any pity or mercy.
robustly
C1
/ˌroʊˈbʌstli/
In a strong, firm, or vigorous way.
unpunctual
C1
/ʌnˈpʌŋktʃuəl/
not arriving or happening at the agreed time
contextual
C1
/ˌkɑːnˈtɛksˌtʃuːəl/
Relating to or depending on the surrounding situation or context.
believably
C1
In a way that seems true or convincing.
unmusical
C1
Unpleasant to listen to; not sounding like music.
placidly
C1
/ˈplæsɪdli/
In a calm, peaceful manner.
speckle
C1
/ˈspɛkəl/
a small spot or mark of a contrasting color
exuberantly
C1
In a lively, joyful, and enthusiastic way.
popularization
C1
/ˌpɑːpjəlɝəˈzeɪʃən/
The act of making something widely known and liked by the general public.
bearish
C1
/ˈbɛrɪʃ/
resembling a bear in being rough, surly, or clumsy
negligently
C1
/ˈnɛglɪdʒəntli/
In a careless or inattentive way.
exotically
C1
In a way that seems strange, unusual, or excitingly foreign.
primitively
C1
In a simple, basic, or undeveloped way.
obscurely
C1
/əbˈskjʊɹli/
In a way that is hard to understand or notice.
unstudied
C1
/ʌnˈstʌd.id/
not examined, researched, or learned through study
recognizably
C1
/ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzəbli/
In a way that is easy to recognize or identify.
contextually
C1
In a way that depends on or refers to the surrounding context.
uncertified
C1
/ˌʌnˈsɝtəfaɪd/
not officially certified, approved, or supported by the required documentation
eccentrically
C1
In a strange or unusual way.
confirmable
C1
/kənˈfɝːməbəl/
capable of being tested, verified or falsified, by experiment or observation
reparable
C1
/ˈɹɛp(ə)ɹəbəl/
capable of being repaired or rectified
complexly
C1
in a complex manner
perceptively
C1
In a way that shows quick and accurate understanding.
impishly
C1
In a playfully naughty, mischievous way.
stressfully
C1
In a way that causes worry, tension, or pressure.
inalterable
C1
/ɪnˈɔltərəbəl/
incapable of being changed or altered
conquerable
C1
/ˈkɑŋkɚəbəl/
capable of being defeated, subdued, or brought under control
beguilingly
C1
In a charming and attractive way.
agreeableness
C1
a temperamental disposition to be agreeable
gushingly
C1
In an overly enthusiastic, emotionally effusive way.
damply
C1
/ˈdæmpli/
In a slightly wet manner.