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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31 words
gypsy
C1
/ˈd͡ʒɪp.si/
A person who travels from place to place rather than living in one fixed home.
plaza
C1
/ˈplɑːzə/
A town's public square.
hostess
C1
/ˈhoʊstɪs/
a woman who invites guests and entertains them, especially at her home or an event
threshold
C1
/ˈθɹɛʃ(h)oʊld/
The floor of a doorway, which you step over to enter a room or building.
plaster
C1
/ˈpla.stə/
a soft mixture of lime, sand, and water that hardens and is used to cover walls and ceilings
aerial
C1
/ˈɛɹiəl/
existing or living or growing or operating in the air
tinker
C1
/ˈtɪŋkɚ/
To make small adjustments to something, often without a clear plan, to try to fix or improve it.
entity
C1
/ˈɛn.tɪ.ti/
A thing that exists as a single, separate unit, often an organization.
ventilation
C1
/ˌvɛntɪˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
The process of letting fresh air into a room or building and removing stale air.
explicit
C1
/ɪkˈsplɪs.ɪt/
Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion.
lavatory
C1
/ˈlæv.ə.t(ɔ)ɹ.i/
A room with a toilet, especially in formal or British usage.
crock
C1
/kɹɑk/
a thick earthenware pot or jar used for cooking or storage
gable
C1
/ˈɡeɪbəl/
the usually triangular upper part of an exterior wall between the sloping sides of a roof
outhouse
C1
/ˈaʊtˌhaʊs/
a small building situated apart from a main house and used for storage, work, or another practical purpose
cubby
C1
/ˈkʌbi/
a small enclosed room, recess, or other confined space
adjoining
C1
/əˈd͡ʒoɪ.nɪŋ/
Next to and touching something else; sharing a wall or boundary.
upholstery
C1
/əˈpoʊlstəri/
the padded covering of furniture, including its fabric, springs, webbing, and stuffing
darkroom
C1
/ˈdɑːrˌkruːm/
a room with no light, used for developing photographs
trinket
C1
/ˈtɹɪŋkət/
a small decorative object or piece of jewelry, often inexpensive or showy
unoccupied
C1
/əˈnɑːkjəˌpaɪd/
Not being used or filled; empty.
peephole
C1
/ˈpipˌhoʊl/
a small opening, especially in a door, through which someone can look without being seen
untested
C1
/ənˈtɛstɪd/
not tried or tested by experience
cistern
C1
/ˈsɪs.tɚn/
a tank or underground reservoir for collecting and storing water or another liquid
potpourri
C1
/ˌpoʊ.pʊˈriː/
a fragrant mixture of dried flower petals, herbs, and spices used to scent a room
untenable
C1
/ənˈtɛnəbəl/
Not able to be held or sustained, such as of an opinion or position.
coolly
C1
/ˈkuːl.li/
in a composed and unconcerned manner
householder
C1
/ˈhaʊsˌhoʊldɚ/
a person who owns or rents a house and is responsible for it and its expenses
casement
C1
/ˈkeɪs.mənt/
a window sash hinged at the side so that it opens like a door, or a window fitted with such a sash
cottager
C1
/ˈkɑːtɪdʒɚ/
a person who lives in or occupies a cottage, sometimes especially a holiday cottage
upholster
C1
/ʌpˈhoʊl.stɚ/
to fit or cover furniture, especially a seat, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather
drawing-room
C1
/ˈdrɔɪŋˌrum/
a formal sitting room for receiving guests