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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37 words
bail
C1
/beɪl/
Money paid so that an arrested person can be released until their trial, promising they will return to court.
con
C1
/kɑn/
A disadvantage of something, usually compared with its advantages.
quid
C1
/kwɪd/
one pound sterling, in informal British usage; the plural is also quid
pledge
C1
/plɛd͡ʒ/
A serious, formal promise to do something.
tribute
C1
/ˈtɹɪbjuːt/
Something said, done, or given to show respect or admiration.
solicitor
C1
/səˈlɪsɪtɚ/
In Britain, a lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents.
extortion
C1
/ɪkˈstɔɹʃən/
The crime of getting money or property from someone by using threats or force.
ledger
C1
/ˈlɛdʒɚ/
a book, file, or computer record in which financial transactions are organized by account
lira
C1
/ˈlɪr.ə/
the former basic unit of currency of Italy and Malta
audit
C1
/ˈɔ.dɪt/
An official examination of a company's financial records.
structural
C1
/ˈstɹʌk(t͡)ʃəɹəl/
Relating to the way something is built or the parts that hold it together.
listing
C1
/ˈlɪstɪŋ/
An entry in a list, catalogue, or directory.
bribery
C1
/ˈbɹaɪbəɹi/
The crime of giving or taking money or gifts to influence someone dishonestly.
invoice
C1
/ˈɪnˌvɔɪs/
A document listing goods or services provided and the money owed for them
subscription
C1
/səbˈskɹɪpʃən/
An arrangement to receive or use something for a set period, usually by paying.
deprivation
C1
/ˌdɛprəˈveɪʃən/
The lack or loss of something needed, such as food, sleep, or basic rights.
fundraising
C1
/ˈfʌndˌɹeɪzɪŋ/
The activity of collecting money for a cause, often a charity.
thrift
C1
/ˈθɹɪft/
careful and economical use of money or other resources; frugality
impoverished
C1
/ɪmˈpɑvəɹɪʃt/
Very poor; lacking money.
expenditure
C1
/ɛkˈspɛndɪt͡ʃɚ/
The amount of money that is spent.
extravagance
C1
/ɪkˈstɹævəɡən(t)s/
The spending of much more money than is necessary or wise.
windfall
C1
/ˈwɪndˌfɔl/
an unexpected gain, advantage, or piece of good fortune, especially a sum of money
backer
C1
/ˈbækɚ/
a person or organization that supports a person, cause, or project, especially by providing money
deductible
C1
/dɪˈdʌktəbəl/
permitted to be subtracted from income or another total when calculating tax
excise
C1
/əkˈsaɪz/
a tax on goods produced, sold, or used within a country
farthing
C1
/ˈfɑːrðɪŋ/
a former British bronze coin worth a quarter of a penny
overdraft
C1
/ˈoʊvɚdɹæft/
An arrangement that lets you take more money out of your bank account than you have, up to an agreed limit.
foreclose
C1
/fɔːrˈkloʊz/
to take possession of mortgaged property after the borrower fails to make required payments
exuberant
C1
/ɪɡˈzuːbəɹənt/
Full of energy, excitement, and cheerful enthusiasm.
cost-effective
C1
Giving good value for the money spent; worth the cost.
coinage
C1
/ˈkɔɪnɪd͡ʒ/
the act of inventing a word or phrase
speculator
C1
/ˈspɛk.jəˌleɪ.tɚ/
a person who buys or sells assets in the hope of profiting from uncertain price changes
moneymaking
C1
/ˈmʌniˌmeɪkɪŋ/
the activity of earning money or making a profit
guilder
C1
/ˈɡɪldɚ/
the former standard monetary unit of the Netherlands, divided into 100 cents
mark-up
C1
The amount added to the cost of goods to set the selling price and make a profit.
repurchase
C1
/ˌriːˈpɝːtʃəs/
to buy something again or buy back something that was previously sold
mortgagee
C1
/ˌmɔrɡɪˈdʒiː/
One who provides a loan secured upon the borrowers' property: the lender in a mortgage agreement.