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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44 words
combat
C1
/ˈkɑmˌbæt/
To take action to stop or reduce something harmful.
scotch
C1
/skɑt͡ʃ/
A block for a wheel or other round object; a chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping.
pistol
C1
/ˈpɪstəl/
A lively, high-energy person.
hostile
C1
/ˈhɑstəl/
Unfriendly and showing strong dislike or opposition.
ammunition
C1
/ˌæmjuˈnɪʃən/
information that can be used to attack or defend a claim or argument or viewpoint
wrath
C1
/ɹæθ/
belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong, personified as one of the deadly sins
foam
C1
/foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
warfare
C1
/ˈwɔɹfɛɹ/
The activity of fighting a war or armed conflict.
siege
C1
/siːd͡ʒ/
Military action.
commandant
C1
/ˈkɑːmənˌdænt/
the officer in charge of a military unit, fort, camp, school, prison, or district
confrontation
C1
/ˌkɑn.fɹənˈteɪ.ʃən/
An angry meeting or argument between people who disagree, often face to face.
swordsman
C1
/ˈsɔːrdz.mən/
a person skilled in fighting or fencing with a sword
picket
C1
/ˈpɪk.ɪt/
a person or group stationed outside a workplace or other site to protest and discourage entry
reconnaissance
C1
/ɹiˈkɒnəsəns/
the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
saber
C1
/ˈseɪ.bɚ/
a cavalry sword with a curved, single-edged blade
adversary
C1
/ˈæd.vəɹˌsɛɹi/
An enemy, opponent, or rival.
stronghold
C1
/ˈstrɔŋˌhoʊld/
a place fortified to withstand attack; a fortress
holster
C1
/ˈhoʊl.stɚ/
a fitted case worn on the body for carrying a handgun or another tool safely and accessibly
tangle
C1
/ˈtæŋ.ɡl̩/
To twist together into a messy, knotted mass.
armistice
C1
/ˈɑɹməstɪs/
a formal agreement between belligerents to stop fighting, usually for a specified or indefinite period and without itself constituting a peace treaty
marksman
C1
/ˈmɑːrks.mən/
a person who is highly skilled at shooting accurately with a firearm, bow, or similar weapon
ordnance
C1
/ˈoɹdnəns/
military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment
regimental
C1
/ˌrɛdʒəˈmɛntəl/
belonging to, organized as, or associated with a military regiment
warpath
C1
/ˈwɔːrˌpæθ/
a course of hostile action or an angrily confrontational mood, especially in the phrase on the warpath
convergence
C1
/kənˈvɝd͡ʒəns/
The act of moving toward union or uniformity.
ironclad
C1
/ˈaɪɚnˌklæd/
so strong, certain, or securely established that it cannot easily be challenged or broken
keenly
C1
/ˈkiːnli/
in a keen and discriminating manner
beholder
C1
/bɪˈhoʊldɚ/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
marksmanship
C1
/ˈmɑːrksmənʃɪp/
skill and accuracy in shooting at a target
darkly
C1
/ˈdɑɹkli/
without light
subjugate
C1
/ˈsʌb.dʒə.ɡeɪt/
to defeat a people or country and bring it under controlling rule, usually with little or no freedom
lustrous
C1
/ˈlʌ.stɹəs/
brilliant
outflank
C1
/ˌaʊtˈflæŋk/
to move around the side of an opposing force in order to attack from behind or gain an advantage
utterance
C1
/ˈʌtəɹəns/
An act of, or the process of, uttering.
fortification
C1
/ˌfɔː(ɹ)tɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
a defensive wall, earthwork, or other structure built to protect a place from attack
infantryman
C1
/ˈɪn.fən.tri.mən/
a soldier who serves in the infantry and is trained to fight primarily on foot
clumsily
C1
/ˈklʌmsəli/
in an awkward manner, or without skill
gainer
C1
/ˈɡeɪnɚ/
a person who gains something, such as an advantage or profits
portent
C1
/ˈpɔɹtənt/
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
sheathe
C1
/ʃiːð/
to put a knife, sword, or similar blade into its sheath
reconquer
C1
/riːˈkɔŋkɝ/
to conquer and regain territory or control that was previously lost
outfight
C1
/ˌaʊtˈfaɪt/
to fight better than
entrench
C1
/ɪnˈtrɛntʃ/
to establish an attitude, habit, institution, or position so firmly that it is difficult to change
beleaguered
C1
/bɪˈliːɡərd/
experiencing difficulties or trouble, often due to being surrounded by problems