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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83 words
instrumental
C1
/ɪnstɹəˈmɛntəl/
Playing an important part in making something happen.
twitter
C1
/ˈtwɪtəɹ/
to make a rapid series of light, high-pitched chirping sounds, especially as a bird
screenplay
C1
/ˈskɹiːnˌpleɪ/
The written script for a film or television show, including dialogue and stage directions.
morse
C1
/ˈmɔːɹs/
Morse code, a system representing letters and numbers by sequences of short and long signals
vocal
C1
/ˈvoʊ̯.kəl/
Expressing your opinions openly and forcefully.
preach
C1
/ˈpriːtʃ/
To give a religious talk, especially in a church service.
hoax
C1
/hoʊks/
a deliberately fabricated story, warning, or event intended to deceive people
dictate
C1
/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/
To speak words aloud for someone else to write down or record.
accountable
C1
/əˈkaʊntəbl̩/
Responsible for your actions and expected to explain or justify them.
documentation
C1
/ˌdɑkjəmɛnˈteɪʃən/
Written records or papers that prove or support something.
articulate
C1
/ɑːɹˈtɪk.jə.leɪt/
To express your thoughts or feelings clearly in words.
yap
C1
/jæp/
to give a quick, sharp, high-pitched bark or cry
dub
C1
/dɐb/
To give someone or something a nickname or descriptive name.
rendering
C1
/ˈɹɛndəɹɪŋ/
A particular version or interpretation of a work, especially a performance.
confer
C1
/kənˈfʌɹ/
To talk with others in order to discuss something or reach a decision.
rant
C1
/rænt/
to speak, write, or shout at length in a loud, angry, or uncontrolled way
eavesdrop
C1
/ˈiːvzdrɑːp/
to listen secretly to a private conversation without the speakers' knowledge
discourse
C1
/ˈdɪs.kɔːɹs/
Serious discussion or the exchange of ideas about a subject, in speech or writing.
smirk
C1
/smɝk/
to smile in a smug, condescending, scornful, or self-satisfied way
depict
C1
/dɪˈpɪkt/
To show something in a picture, painting, or photograph.
symposium
C1
/sɪmˈpoʊ.zi.əm/
a formal meeting at which specialists give presentations and discuss a particular subject
whimper
C1
/ˈwɪmpə/
to cry or make a weak, soft, intermittent sound from fear, pain, or distress
query
C1
/ˈkwɪ.ɹi/
A question, especially one asking for information or expressing a doubt.
scoff
C1
/skɔːf/
To speak about someone or something in a mocking, scornful way.
squabble
C1
/ˈskwɑː.bəl/
a noisy, undignified quarrel, usually about something petty or unimportant
retraction
C1
/rɪˈtrækʃən/
a public withdrawal of a statement, accusation, claim, or published finding
keynote
C1
/ˈkiːˌnoʊt/
the central idea, prevailing tone, or most important feature of something
literacy
C1
/ˈlɪtəɹəsi/
The ability to read and write.
designate
C1
/ˈdez.ɪɡ.nət/
To officially choose someone or something for a particular purpose or role.
lisp
C1
/lɪsp/
a speech pattern or disorder in which sibilant sounds such as s and z are articulated atypically
hogwash
C1
/ˈhɑːɡˌwɑːʃ/
informal: foolish, false, or meaningless talk or writing; nonsense
broach
C1
/broʊtʃ/
to introduce a difficult or sensitive subject for discussion
insertion
C1
/ɪnˈsɝʃən/
The act of putting one thing into another.
outcry
C1
/ˈaʊtˌkraɪ/
a strong and often public expression of anger, protest, or disapproval
letterhead
C1
/ˈlet̬.ɚˌhed/
a printed heading on stationery that identifies a person or organization, often with an address and logo
pathos
C1
/ˈpeɪˌθɑs/
A quality in something that makes you feel pity or sadness.
interchangeable
C1
/ɪntɚˈt͡ʃeɪnd͡ʒəbl̩/
(mathematics, logic) such that the arguments or roles can be interchanged
deary
C1
/ˈdɪri/
an affectionate, old-fashioned, or sometimes patronizing form of address, especially to a woman or child
ventilate
C1
/ˈvɛntɪleɪt/
To let fresh air move through a room or building.
hullabaloo
C1
/ˌhʌləbəˈlu/
a loud commotion, uproar, or noisy fuss
repartee
C1
/ˌrɛpɚˈteɪ/
a quick, witty reply
congratulatory
C1
/kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪtɔri/
expressing pleasure and praise for someone's success, good fortune, or special occasion
indecipherable
C1
/ˌɪn.dɪˈsaɪ.fɚ.ə.bəl/
impossible or extremely difficult to read or decode
drawl
C1
/dɹɔl/
to speak slowly, prolonging vowel sounds
misrepresentation
C1
/ˌmɪsˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən/
the act or an instance of giving a false, inaccurate, or misleading account of someone or something
voiceless
C1
/ˈvɔɪsləs/
unable to speak or produce a normal vocal sound
inquirer
C1
/ɪnˈkwaɪr.ɚ/
formal: a person who asks a question or seeks information
stylistic
C1
/staɪˈlɪstɪk/
Relating to style, especially in writing, art, or language.
good-day
C1
/ˌɡʊdˈdeɪ/
dated or formal: a greeting or farewell equivalent to good day
undertone
C1
/ˈʌndɚtoʊn/
a quiet or subdued tone of voice or sound
explanatory
C1
/ɪkˈsplæn.ə.t(ɔː.)ɹi/
Helping to explain something or make it clearer.
going-over
C1
/ˌɡoʊɪŋˈoʊvɚ/
informal: a severe scolding, reprimand, or beating
inexpressible
C1
/ˌɪn.ɪkˈspres.ə.bəl/
so strong, unusual, or profound that it cannot adequately be put into words
witticism
C1
/ˈwɪt̬.ə.sɪz.əm/
a clever and humorous remark, often with a sharp or ironic edge
stylistically
C1
/staɪˈlɪstɪkli/
In terms of style, especially in writing, art, or language.
attribution
C1
/ˌætrəˈbjuːʃən/
the act of regarding something as caused, created, or possessed by a particular person or thing
introducer
C1
/ˌɪntrəˈduːsɚ/
a person or thing that brings someone, something, or an idea into use, notice, or acquaintance
interjection
C1
/ˌɪn.tɚˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/
A word or short phrase used to express sudden emotion, such as "wow" or "ouch."
mishear
C1
/ˌmɪsˈhɪr/
to hear words or sounds incorrectly
telegraphic
C1
/ˌteləˈɡræfɪk/
relating to, sent by, or using the telegraph
prevaricate
C1
/pɹɪˈvæɹɪkeɪt/
To speak or act in a manner that is intentionally ambiguous or evasive; equivocate.
monotonously
C1
In a boring way that never changes or has any variety.
monosyllable
C1
/ˌmɑː.noʊˈsɪl.ə.bəl/
a word or utterance consisting of one syllable
self-assertion
C1
/ˌsɛlfəˈsɝʃən/
the confident expression of one's opinions, rights, or wishes
intone
C1
/ɪnˈtoʊn/
to say something slowly and solemnly, often with little variation in pitch
reciter
C1
/ɹɪˈsaɪtɚ/
a person who recites a poem, speech, or other text aloud, often from memory
sermonize
C1
/ˈsɝːmənaɪz/
to speak as though delivering a sermon, especially by giving prolonged moral advice or criticism
confirmatory
C1
/kənˈfɝməˌtɔɹi/
serving to confirm, support, or corroborate a statement or conclusion
miscall
C1
/mɪsˈkɔl/
to call or name a person or thing incorrectly
unconvincingly
C1
In a way that fails to persuade or seem believable.
preachment
C1
/ˈpriːtʃ.mənt/
a sermon on a moral or religious topic
swearer
C1
/ˈswɛrər/
a person who swears an oath or gives sworn testimony
indirection
C1
/ˈɪndəˈɹɛkʃən/
indirect procedure or action
analogical
C1
expressing, composed of, or based on an analogy
undiscussed
C1
/ˌʌndɪˈskʌst/
not considered, examined, or talked about in discussion
diatribe
C1
/ˈdaɪəˌtraɪb/
a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something
equivocation
C1
/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/
the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself
harangue
C1
/həˈræŋ/
a lengthy and aggressive speech or lecture
inflection
C1
/ɪnˈflɛkʃən/
a change in the form of a word to show grammatical features
lampoon
C1
/læmˈpuːn/
to publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule or sarcasm
pontificate
C1
/pɑːnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
to express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way
prepend
C1
/priˈpɛnd/
to add something at the beginning of a string or text
exemplify
C1
/ɪɡˈzɛmpləˌfaɪ/
to serve as a clear example of something