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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34 words
ministry
C1
/ˈmɪnɪstɹi/
A government department responsible for a particular area, usually headed by a minister.
abortion
C1
/əˈbɔɹ.ʃn̩/
The deliberate ending of a pregnancy before the baby can survive on its own.
elaborate
C1
/ɪˈlæb.(ə.)ɹət/
Having many parts or details; carefully and richly worked out.
carpenter
C1
/ˈkɑɹpəntɚ/
A person whose job is making and repairing wooden things
weaver
C1
/ˈwi.vɚ/
a craftsman who weaves cloth
contractor
C1
/ˈkɑːnˌtræktɝ/
A person or company hired to do a particular job under a contract, rather than as a regular employee.
malfunction
C1
/mælˈfʌŋkʃən/
To stop working properly or fail to work at all.
defect
C1
/ˈdiːfɛkt/
A fault or flaw that makes something imperfect or not work properly.
climax
C1
/ˈklaɪ.mæks/
The most exciting or important point of an event, story, or career.
guild
C1
/ɡɪld/
an association of merchants or craftspeople formed to regulate a trade, protect common interests, and provide mutual support
pathologist
C1
/pəˈθɑːlədʒəst/
An expert in pathology; a specialist who examines samples of body tissues for diagnostic or forensic purpose.
apparatus
C1
/ˌæp.əˈɹeɪ.təs/
A complex machine or set of equipment built for a particular job.
confide
C1
/kənˈfaɪd/
To tell someone a secret or private matter because you trust them.
nominate
C1
/ˈnɑ.mɪ.neɪt/
To officially suggest someone as a candidate for a job, position, or award.
collaborate
C1
/kəˈlæb.ə.ɹeɪt/
To work together with others to achieve a shared goal.
occupational
C1
/ɑkjuˈpeɪʃənəl/
Relating to a person's job or profession.
productivity
C1
/ˌpɹɑ.dʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
The rate at which workers produce goods or services; how efficiently work is done.
carpentry
C1
/ˈkɑːrpəntri/
The skill or work of making and repairing things out of wood
chambermaid
C1
/ˈtʃeɪmbərˌmeɪd/
a woman employed to clean and care for bedrooms, now chiefly in a hotel and historically in a private household
postmaster
C1
/ˈpoʊstˌmæstɚ/
The head of a post office.
stenographer
C1
/stəˈnɑɡɹəfɚ/
a person trained to transcribe speech rapidly using shorthand or a stenotype machine
croupier
C1
/ˈkruː.pi.ɚ/
a casino employee who manages a gaming table, handles bets, and pays winnings
underling
C1
/ˈʌndɚlɪŋ/
a person of lower rank who works for or is controlled by someone more powerful, often used disparagingly
probationary
C1
/proʊˈbeɪ.ʃəˌner.i/
subject to a trial period before a position, status, or arrangement becomes permanent
hawker
C1
/ˈhɔkɚ/
someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
businesslike
C1
/ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/
methodical, efficient, practical, and focused on accomplishing a task
deckhand
C1
/ˈdɛkˌhænd/
a member of a ship or boat crew who performs manual work on deck
confectioner
C1
/kənˈfɛkʃənɝ/
a person or business that makes or sells sweets, chocolates, cakes, or other confections
workflow
C1
/ˈwɝkfloʊ/
the sequence of steps, people, and tools by which work is completed
perfumer
C1
/pɚˈfjuːmɚ/
a person who creates, blends, or sells perfumes
prolifically
C1
/proʊˈlɪfɪkli/
In a way that produces a great deal of work or results; abundantly.
indentured
C1
/ɪnˈdɛntʃərd/
bound by a formal contract to work for another for a specified time, often without pay in exchange for passage to a new country
lawyering
C1
/ˈlɔɪərɪŋ/
the practice or profession of working as a lawyer, involving legal advice and representation
gold seeker
C1
/ˈɡoʊld ˌsiː.kɚ/
a person who searches or prospects for gold, especially someone drawn to a gold-rush region