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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45 words
spy
C1
/spaɪ/
A person who secretly collects information about an enemy country, company, or person.
screech
C1
/skɹiːt͡ʃ/
a loud, harsh, high-pitched cry or noise
stark
C1
/stɑɹk/
Bare, plain, and empty in appearance.
buzzer
C1
/ˈbʌzɚ/
A device that makes a buzzing sound as a signal.
interference
C1
/ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/
The act of getting involved in something that does not concern you.
frustrating
C1
/ˈfɹʌsˌtɹeɪ̯tɪŋ/
Making you feel annoyed or impatient because you cannot do or achieve something.
bouquet
C1
/buːˈkeɪ/
A bunch of flowers arranged nicely, often given as a gift.
flatter
C1
/ˈflætɚ/
To praise someone, often insincerely, to please them or win favour.
fiddle
C1
/ˈfɪdl̩/
To touch or play with something with your fingers, often nervously or aimlessly.
honk
C1
/hɑŋk/
To sound a car horn.
clash
C1
/klæʃ/
To disagree strongly or come into conflict.
acoustic
C1
/əˈkuː.stɪk/
(of a musical instrument) producing sound naturally, without electrical amplification.
hiss
C1
/hɪs/
a fricative sound, especially as an expression of disapproval
optical
C1
/ˈɑptɪkəl/
Relating to sight or the eyes.
perceptive
C1
/pɚˈsɛptɪv/
Quick to notice and understand things, especially subtle ones.
clank
C1
/klæŋk/
a loud, hard, resonant sound made when pieces of metal strike one another
degrading
C1
/dɪˈgreɪdɪŋ/
Treating someone without respect and making them feel worthless or ashamed.
unsettling
C1
/ənˈsɛtəlɪŋ/
Making you feel worried, uneasy, or uncomfortable.
disruption
C1
/dɪsˈɹʌpʃən/
An interruption that stops something from continuing normally.
tranquil
C1
/ˈtɹæŋ.kwɪl/
Calm, quiet, and peaceful.
tingle
C1
/ˈtɪŋ.ɡəl/
to feel or cause a slight prickling, stinging, or vibrating sensation
homely
C1
/ˈhoʊmli/
Simple, comfortable, and reminding you of home (British usage).
grumble
C1
/ˈɡɹʌmbl̩/
To complain about something in a quiet, unhappy way.
raspy
C1
/ˈræspi/
harsh, rough, or grating in sound
stately
C1
/ˈsteɪtli/
Grand, impressive, and dignified in appearance.
subtly
C1
/ˈsʌt.l̩.li/
In a quiet, delicate way that is not obvious or easy to notice.
acoustics
C1
/əˈkuː.stɪks/
The qualities of a room or building that affect how clearly sound can be heard in it.
acidic
C1
/əˈsɪ.dɪk/
Containing acid, or having a pH lower than 7.
complementary
C1
/ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/
Combining well with something else to make a complete or better whole.
gurgle
C1
/ˈɡɝɡəl/
to make a low bubbling sound, especially as liquid moves through a narrow space
muffle
C1
/ˈmʌfəl/
to make a sound quieter or less distinct, especially by covering its source
goggle
C1
/ˈɡɑɡəl/
to stare with the eyes wide open, especially in surprise or amazement
amplification
C1
/ˌæmplɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The act of making something larger, fuller, or more detailed.
disquieting
C1
/dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
Making you feel worried or uneasy.
torchlight
C1
/ˈtɔːrtʃˌlaɪt/
light cast by a burning torch or, especially in British English, a handheld flashlight
attune
C1
/əˈtun/
to make someone receptive or sensitive to a situation, idea, need, or signal, often used as be attuned to
sedately
C1
/sɪˈdeɪtli/
In a calm, quiet, unhurried way.
tastebud
C1
/ˈteɪstbʌd/
One of the tiny organs on the tongue that let you taste flavours.
unmusically
C1
In a way that is unpleasant to hear or not like music.
acrid
C1
/ˈæk.ɹɪd/
having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell
clairvoyant
C1
/klɛrˈvɔɪənt/
a person who claims to have the ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact
emanate
C1
/ˈɛməˌneɪt/
to originate or come out from a source
strident
C1
/ˈstraɪdənt/
(of a sound) loud and harsh; grating
sense-organ
C1
/ˈsɛnsˌɔrɡən/
an organ that receives sensory stimuli, such as the eye, ear, or skin
unobserved
C1
/ˌʌnəbˈzɜrvd/
not seen, noticed, or watched