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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32 words
jimmy
C1
/ˈdʒɪm.i/
a short crowbar used for forcing open a door, window, or lock
mechanism
C1
/ˈmik.ə.nɪ.zəm/
A part of a machine or a set of moving parts that does a particular job.
stud
C1
/stʌd/
a small projecting fastener or ornament, usually made of metal
timber
C1
/ˈtɪmbɚ/
Wood prepared for building or making things.
wedge
C1
/wɛdʒ/
a tapered piece used for splitting, tightening, lifting, or securing something
demolition
C1
/ɖᵻˈmɔ.lɪ.ʃən/
The act of deliberately destroying a building or other structure
pavilion
C1
/pəˈvɪl.jən/
a light, often open-sided roofed structure used for shelter or recreation in a park, garden, or public place
architectural
C1
/ˌɑɹkɪˈtɛkt͡ʃəɹəl/
Relating to the design and construction of buildings.
ratchet
C1
/ˈrætʃ.ɪt/
a toothed wheel or bar with a pawl that permits motion in one direction while preventing motion in the other
moat
C1
/moʊt/
a deep, wide defensive ditch, often filled with water, around a castle or fortified place
silencer
C1
/ˈsaɪlənˌsɝ/
British: a device in a vehicle exhaust system that reduces engine noise
appliance
C1
/əˈplaɪ.əns/
A machine or device used in the home, such as a fridge or washing machine.
manger
C1
/ˈmeɪn.dʒɚ/
an open box or trough in a stable from which horses, cattle, or other animals feed
temperamental
C1
/ˌtɛmp(ə)ɹəˈmɛntl̩/
Having moods that change suddenly and unpredictably.
nozzle
C1
/ˈnɑː.zəl/
a projecting tube or spout that directs or controls a stream of liquid, gas, or other material
anvil
C1
/ˈænvəl/
a heavy iron or steel block on which metal is shaped by hammering
lasso
C1
/ˈlæs.oʊ/
a long rope with a sliding loop used especially to catch cattle or horses
sheath
C1
/ʃiθ/
a protective covering for a knife or sword
aqueduct
C1
/ˈækwəˌdʌkt/
an artificial channel or conduit built to carry water from one place to another
accumulation
C1
/əˌkjuːm.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/
The process of gradually gathering or building up over time.
flagstaff
C1
/ˈflæɡˌstæf/
a pole or staff from which a flag is flown
spool
C1
/spuːl/
a cylinder or spindle around which thread, wire, film, or another flexible material is wound
vise
C1
/vaɪs/
a tool with two jaws that close to hold an object firmly while it is being worked on
trowel
C1
/ˈtraʊəl/
a mason's hand tool with a flat metal blade, used to spread and shape mortar or plaster
penknife
C1
/ˈpɛnˌnaɪf/
a small folding pocketknife
structurally
C1
/ˈstrʌktʃɝəli/
In a way that relates to the way something is built or put together.
trellis
C1
/ˈtrɛl.ɪs/
a framework or lattice of wood, metal, or another material used to support climbing plants
stucco
C1
/ˈstʌkoʊ/
a durable plaster-like material used to coat or decorate walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces
trestle
C1
/ˈtrɛs.əl/
a frame with a horizontal bar supported by spreading legs, used alone or in pairs to hold a tabletop, planks, or another work surface
pommel
C1
/ˈpɑməl/
the raised front part of a saddle, used as a handhold
double-barreled
C1
/ˌdʌbəlˈbærəld/
having two barrels, especially a gun with two barrels mounted side by side or one above the other
digester
C1
/daɪˈdʒestər/
a sealed vessel in which plant, animal, or other material is broken down by heat, pressure, chemicals, or enzymes