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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101 words
psychic
C1
/ˈsaɪkɪk/
relating to the mind, soul, or mental processes rather than the physical body
verdict
C1
/ˈvɝ.dɪkt/
The decision a jury or judge makes about whether someone is guilty in a court case.
naive
C1
/naɪˈiv/
Lacking experience or judgement, and too quick to trust or believe things.
mole
C1
/mɒʊl/
A massive structure, usually of stone, used as a pier, breakwater or junction between places separated by water.
homeland
C1
/ˈhoʊmˌlænd/
The country where someone was born or that they think of as home.
compartment
C1
/kəmˈpɑɹtmənt/
A room, or section, or chamber, typically within a vehicle.
discretion
C1
/dɪˈskɹɛʃən/
The freedom to decide something for yourself, using your own judgement.
torment
C1
/ˈtɔː(ɹ)mɛnt/
Severe physical or mental suffering.
intuition
C1
/ˌɪn.tuˈɪʃ.ən/
The ability to understand or know something immediately, without conscious reasoning.
inclined
C1
/ɪnˈklaɪnd/
Having a tendency or willingness to do or believe something.
sentiment
C1
/ˈsɛn.tɪ.mənt/
A thought, opinion, or attitude, often based on feeling.
compelling
C1
/kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/
So interesting or exciting that it holds your full attention.
enlightenment
C1
/ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/
the gaining or giving of knowledge and clearer understanding
intellect
C1
/ˈɪntəˌlɛkt/
The power of the mind to think, reason, and understand.
criteria
C1
/kɹaɪˈtɪɹ.i.ə/
The standards or rules used to judge or decide something (plural of criterion).
speculate
C1
/ˈspɛk.jəˌleɪt/
To form a guess or opinion about something without having all the facts.
demented
C1
/dɪˈmɛntɪd/
wildly irrational, disturbed, or out of control
lapse
C1
/ˈlæps/
A small, temporary failure, especially of memory or attention.
flashback
C1
/ˈflæʃ.bæk/
A part of a film, book, or play that shows an earlier event, interrupting the main story.
problematic
C1
/ˌpɹɑ.bləˈmæt.ɪk/
Causing problems or difficulties.
tranquility
C1
/træŋˈkwɪlɪti/
A state of peace and quiet.
rigorous
C1
/ˈɹɪɡəɹəs/
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
antics
C1
/ˈæntɪks/
Wild, silly, or attention-grabbing behaviour.
connoisseur
C1
/ˌkɑnəˈsɝ/
An expert whose judgement is respected, especially in art, food, or other matters of taste.
dissect
C1
/dɪˈsɛkt/
To cut open a body to study its internal parts.
daydream
C1
/ˈdeɪdɹiːm/
A pleasant series of thoughts about something nice while you are awake.
retrace
C1
/ɹiːˈtɹeɪs/
To go back over a route or path you have already taken.
figment
C1
/ˈfɪɡmənt/
something invented or imagined that has no real existence
differentiate
C1
/ˌdɪf.əˈɹɛn.ʃi.eɪt/
To recognize or show how two or more things are different.
explicitly
C1
/ɪkˈsplɪsətli/
In a clear and detailed way, leaving no doubt.
emancipation
C1
/ɪˌmæn.səˈpeɪ.ʃən/
The act of setting free from the power of another, as from slavery, subjection, dependence, or controlling influence.
unanimously
C1
/juːˈnænəməsli/
In a unanimous manner; without objection.
estimation
C1
/ˌɛs.təˈmeɪ.ʃən/
A rough calculation or judgement of an amount, value, or degree.
riveting
C1
/ˈrɪvɪtɪŋ/
So interesting or exciting that it completely holds your attention.
elude
C1
/ɪˈljuːd/
To escape from or avoid someone or something, often by being clever or quick.
evoke
C1
/ɪˈvoʊk/
To bring a feeling, memory, or image into someone's mind.
awkwardness
C1
/ˈɔkwɝdnəs/
the inelegance of someone stiff and unrelaxed
justly
C1
/ˈdʒʌstli/
In a fair and reasonable way.
formulate
C1
/ˈfɔː(ɹ)mjʊleɪt/
To create or develop a plan, idea, or theory through careful thought.
implementation
C1
/ˌɪmpləmɛnˈteɪʃən/
The act of putting a plan, decision, or idea into practice.
theological
C1
/θi.əˈlɑd͡ʒɪkl/
of or relating to or concerning theology
cleverness
C1
/ˈklɛvɚnəs/
The quality of being quick to understand, learn, or think of ideas.
hypnotism
C1
/ˈhɪpnətɪzəm/
the practice or process of inducing hypnosis, especially through focused attention and suggestion
unfeeling
C1
/ənˈfiːlɪŋ/
devoid of feeling or sensation
delightfully
C1
/dɪˈlaɪtfəli/
in a delightful manner
rationality
C1
/ˌræʃəˈnælɪti/
the state of having good sense and sound judgment
locality
C1
/loʊˈkæl.ɪ.ti/
The fact or quality of having a position in space.
repute
C1
/ɹɪˈpjuːt/
The opinion people have of someone or something, especially a good reputation.
forgetfulness
C1
/fəˈɡɛtfʊlnɪs/
unawareness caused by neglectful or heedless failure to remember
unearthly
C1
/ʌnˈɝθ.li/
Not of the earth; nonterrestrial.
deductive
C1
/dɪˈdʌktəv/
relating to logical deduction
triumphantly
C1
/traɪˈʌmfəntli/
in a triumphant manner
afterthought
C1
/ˈæftɚˌθɔt/
an idea, action, or addition considered only after an original decision or plan
immemorial
C1
/ɪ.məˈmɔːɹi.əl/
That is beyond memory; ancient.
propagation
C1
/pɹɑpəˈɡeɪʃən/
The multiplication or natural increase in a population.
exhibitionist
C1
/ˌɛksəˈbɪʃənɪst/
someone who behaves in a way designed to attract attention to themselves
eye-opener
C1
/ˈaɪˌoʊ.pən.ɚ/
an experience, fact, or revelation that produces a sudden and surprising understanding
passively
C1
/ˈpæsɪvli/
in a passive manner
recurrent
C1
/ɹɪˈkɝənt/
Recurring; happening time after time.
dimly
C1
/ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
dialectic
C1
/ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪk/
of or relating to or employing dialectic
naively
C1
/naɪˈivli/
In a way that shows a lack of experience or judgement, or too much trust.
quickness
C1
/ˈkwɪknəs/
rapidity of movement or activity; agility or dexterity
gaslight
C1
/ˈɡæslaɪt/
to manipulate someone into doubting their own memory, perceptions, or judgment
neglectful
C1
/nɪˈglɛktfəl/
Failing to give proper care or attention to something or someone.
scornful
C1
/ˈskɔɹnfəl/
Showing that you think someone or something is worthless and deserves no respect.
conscientiously
C1
/ˌkɑːntʃiːˈɛntʃəsli/
In a careful and thorough way, with great attention to duty.
impious
C1
/ˈɪmpi.əs/
lacking due respect or dutifulness
busily
C1
/ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
perceptual
C1
/pə(ɹ)ˈsɛp.tʃ(u)əl/
of or relating to the act of perceiving
thought-provoking
C1
/ˈθɔːtpɹəvəʊkɪŋ/
Making you think carefully, often by challenging your beliefs or ideas.
dreamless
C1
/ˈdriːmləs/
without dreams, especially describing deep and undisturbed sleep
insoluble
C1
/ɪnˈsɑljəbəl/
without hope of solution
thoughtlessness
C1
/ˈθɔtləsnɪs/
the trait of not thinking carefully before acting
subjectivity
C1
/səbdʒɛkˈtɪvɪti/
A subjective thought or idea.
salivate
C1
/ˈsæləveɪt/
To produce saliva in your mouth, especially at the thought or smell of food.
engrossing
C1
/ɛnˈɡɹoʊsɪŋ/
So interesting that it holds all your attention.
irrationality
C1
/ɪˌɹæʃ.əˈnæl.ə.ti/
The quality or state of being irrational.
insupportable
C1
/ˌɪnsəˈpɔrtəbəl/
That cannot be tolerated or endured.
retentive
C1
/rɪˈtɛntɪv/
able to remember information well
dialectical
C1
/ˌdaɪəˈlɛktɪkəl/
relating to dialectic: reasoning through the examination of opposing arguments
puzzlement
C1
/ˈpʌz.əl.mənt/
a state or feeling of confusion caused by being unable to understand something
experiential
C1
/ɪkˌspɪriˈɛnʃəl/
relating to, encountered through, or based on direct experience
scornfully
C1
/ˈskɔɹnfəli/
In a way that shows you think someone or something deserves no respect.
open-mindedness
C1
/ˌoʊpənˈmaɪndɪdnəs/
willingness to consider unfamiliar ideas, arguments, or evidence without prejudice
intuit
C1
/ɪnˈtuɪt/
To understand or sense something immediately, without conscious reasoning.
knowable
C1
/ˈnoʊ.ə.bəl/
capable of being known, understood, or discovered
quizzical
C1
/ˈkwɪz.ɪ.kəl/
showing mild puzzlement or questioning, often with amusement
persuasively
C1
/pɝˈsweɪsɪvli/
In a way that makes someone believe or agree with you.
uncritical
C1
/ʌnˈkɹɪtɪkəl/
not applying careful judgment, analysis, or evaluation
misremember
C1
/ˌmɪsɹɪˈmɛmbɚ/
to remember something incorrectly
overvalue
C1
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈvæl.juː/
to regard a person, quality, prospect, or contribution as more important or beneficial than it really is
advisability
C1
/ədˌvaɪ.zəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
the quality of being sensible, prudent, or worth recommending in the circumstances
unwaveringly
C1
In a firm and steady way, without any doubt or change.
unfamiliarity
C1
/ˌʌnfəˌmɪliˈærəti/
lack of knowledge, experience, or acquaintance with someone or something
sagely
C1
/ˈseɪdʒ.li/
in a wise, judicious, or knowingly thoughtful manner