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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115 words
kidnap
C1
/ˈkɪdnæp/
To take and hold someone illegally, often to demand money for their release.
bribe
C1
/bɹaɪb/
To secretly give someone money or gifts so they will do something dishonest for you.
notify
C1
/ˈnoʊtɪfaɪ/
To officially tell someone about something.
swap
C1
/sʋap/
To give one thing and receive another in exchange.
liable
C1
/ˈlaɪ̯əbəl/
Likely to do or experience something, usually something bad.
prop
C1
/pɹɑp/
An object used by actors on a stage or film set.
dispose
C1
/dɪsˈpoʊz/
To get rid of something, especially something unwanted (used with 'of').
pronounced
C1
/pɹəˈnaʊnst/
Very noticeable or strongly marked.
stretching
C1
/ˈstɹɛt͡ʃɪŋ/
Exercise in which you extend your muscles and limbs to keep them flexible.
indulge
C1
/ɪnˈdʌld͡ʒ/
To allow yourself to enjoy something pleasant, especially something you do not usually let yourself have.
accustomed
C1
/əˈkʌs.təmd/
Used to something through repeated experience.
imminent
C1
/ˈɪmɪnənt/
About to happen very soon.
default
C1
/dɪˈfɔlt/
A setting or value used automatically when no other choice is made.
marvel
C1
/ˈmɑɹvl̩/
To be filled with wonder or amazement at something.
shred
C1
/ʃɹɛd/
to tear or cut something into small, narrow pieces
smug
C1
/smʌɡ/
Too pleased with yourself or your own cleverness, in a way that annoys others.
cling
C1
/ˈklɪŋ/
To hold on to something very tightly.
renowned
C1
/ɹɪˈnaʊnd/
Famous and admired for something.
upcoming
C1
/ˈʌpˌkəmɪŋ/
Happening or coming soon.
tangled
C1
/ˈtæŋ.ɡəld/
Twisted together into a messy, knotted mass.
appalling
C1
/əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
Shocking and extremely bad.
coordinate
C1
/koʊˈɔɹ.də.nɪt/
To organize different people or activities so that they work well together.
render
C1
/ˈɹɛn.dɚ/
To cause someone or something to be in a particular state.
forfeit
C1
/ˈfɔɹ.fɪt/
To lose or give up something as a penalty for a mistake or wrongdoing.
duo
C1
/ˈdu.oʊ/
Two people who perform, work, or act together.
oblige
C1
/əˈblaɪd͡ʒ/
To force or require someone to do something, by law, rules, or circumstances.
detain
C1
/dɪˈteɪn/
To officially hold someone and prevent them from leaving, especially by the police.
hypocrisy
C1
/hɪˈpɑkɹəsi/
The act of pretending to have beliefs or standards that you do not actually follow.
administer
C1
/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stɚ/
To manage or be in charge of running something, such as an organization or system.
namely
C1
/ˈneɪmli/
Used to give more exact detail about what you have just mentioned; that is to say.
inability
C1
/ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
The fact of not being able to do something.
deployment
C1
/dɪˈplɔɪmənt/
The movement of military forces into position, especially before action.
disclosure
C1
/dɪsˈkloʊʒɚ/
The act of making known a fact that was hidden or secret.
startling
C1
/ˈstɑɹ.tl̩.ɪŋ/
So surprising or sudden that it shocks or alarms you.
compel
C1
/kəmˈpɛl/
To force someone to do something.
rustle
C1
/ˈɹʌsəl/
To make a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.
prospective
C1
/pɹəˈspɛktɪv/
Likely to become or do a particular thing in the future.
tantrum
C1
/ˈtæn.tɹəm/
A sudden outburst of bad temper, especially by a child.
compulsion
C1
/kəmˈpʌl.ʃən/
A strong, often irresistible urge to do something.
dispense
C1
/dɪˈspens/
To give out or distribute something to people.
exert
C1
/ɪɡˈzɝt/
To use power, influence, or effort in order to make something happen.
mobilize
C1
/ˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz/
To organize people or resources so they are ready to take action.
activation
C1
/ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/
The act of making something start working or become active.
sanction
C1
/ˈsæŋkʃ(ə)n/
An official action taken to punish a country or group, such as a trade ban.
sedate
C1
/səˈdeɪt/
Calm, quiet, and unhurried.
versatile
C1
/ˈvɝ.sə.təl/
Able to do many different things well
stoke
C1
/stoʊk/
to make a strong feeling or situation grow stronger
utilize
C1
/ˈju.tə.laɪz/
To make use of something for a practical purpose.
headstrong
C1
/ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋ/
Determined to do what you want and unwilling to listen to advice.
brainwashing
C1
/ˈbreɪnˌwɑːʃɪŋ/
The act of forcing people to give up their beliefs and accept new ones through intense pressure.
headway
C1
/ˈhɛdweɪ/
progress toward a goal, especially after effort or difficulty
scour
C1
/ˈskaʊɚ/
to search a place, text, or collection thoroughly and energetically
reassurance
C1
/ˌriːəˈʃʊrəns/
Words or actions that make someone feel less worried and more confident.
opt
C1
/ɑpt/
To choose to do something rather than something else.
outset
C1
/ˈaʊtsɛt/
The very beginning of something.
pucker
C1
/ˈpʌkɚ/
to draw, or become drawn, into small tight wrinkles or folds
depiction
C1
/dɪˈpɪk.ʃən/
A picture or description of someone or something.
alienate
C1
/ˈeɪ.li.ə.neɪt/
To make someone stop being friendly or supportive towards you.
concise
C1
/kənˈsaɪs/
expressing much in few words
rumple
C1
/ˈɹʌmpəl/
to make hair, fabric, or another surface untidy with wrinkles, folds, or creases
fritter
C1
/ˈfrɪtər/
to waste time, money, energy, or an opportunity gradually on unimportant things, usually with away
authenticate
C1
/ɔˈθɛn.tɪ.keɪt/
to establish the authenticity of something
abolition
C1
/ˌæb.əˈlɪʃ.ən/
the act of abolishing a system or practice or institution (especially abolishing slavery)
wooded
C1
/ˈwʊdɪd/
Covered with trees.
compliant
C1
/kəmˈplaɪənt/
Willing to do what others want; obedient and cooperative.
inclusion
C1
/ɪnˈkluːʒən/
The act of including someone or something in a group, list, or whole.
adjustable
C1
/əˈd͡ʒʌstəbəl/
Able to be changed to fit your needs or preferences
rename
C1
/ˌriːˈneɪm/
to give a person, place, organization, or thing a new name
inhibit
C1
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
To slow down or hold back a process or action.
allocation
C1
/ˌæl.əˈkæɪ.ʃən/
The process of giving out money, time, or resources for a particular purpose.
misplace
C1
/mɪsˈpleɪs/
To put something somewhere and then forget where it is; to lose temporarily.
extricate
C1
/ˈɛks.tɹɪ.keɪt/
release from entanglement of difficulty
reenact
C1
/ɹi.ɪnækt/
To act out a past event, especially a historical one, in order to show how it happened.
beguiling
C1
/bɪˈgaɪlɪŋ/
Charming and attractive in a way that draws you in.
gruelling
C1
/ˈɡɹu.lɪŋ/
extremely tiring and demanding
constraint
C1
/kənˈstɹæɪnt/
Something that limits or restricts what you can do.
scathing
C1
/ˈskeɪðɪŋ/
Very harsh and severely critical.
inaction
C1
/ɪnˈækʃən/
the state of doing nothing, especially a failure to act when action is needed
scrutinize
C1
/ˈskɹutn̩ˌaɪz/
To examine something very carefully and in detail.
reshuffle
C1
/ˌriːˈʃʌf.əl/
to reorganize positions, responsibilities, or elements by distributing them differently
perforation
C1
/ˌpɝːfəˈreɪʃən/
a hole or opening made by piercing through a material or part of the body
unfurl
C1
/ʌnˈfɝl/
to unroll, unfold, or spread out something that was tightly rolled or folded, or to become spread out in this way
serviceable
C1
/ˈsɝvɪsəbl̩/
intended or able to serve a purpose without elaboration
unconvincing
C1
/ˌənkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
Not believable or persuasive.
optimize
C1
/ˈɑptɪmaɪz/
to make something as effective, efficient, or useful as possible
domestication
C1
/dəˌmɛstəˈkeɪʃən/
The act of taming wild animals or adapting plants for human use.
magnetically
C1
/mægˈnɛtɪkəli/
In a way that seems to attract irresistibly, as if by a magnet.
formalize
C1
/ˈfɔɹməlaɪz/
to make an arrangement, rule, or process official or definite
unassisted
C1
/ˌənəˈsɪstɪd/
Done without any help from others.
cynically
C1
/ˈsɪnɪkəli/
In a way that shows you expect the worst of people or doubt their honesty.
perforate
C1
/ˈpɝːfəreɪt/
to pierce something and make one or more holes through it
untangled
C1
No longer knotted or twisted; smooth and free.
daub
C1
/dɔb/
to spread a thick or sticky substance over a surface, often carelessly
encase
C1
/ɪnˈkeɪs/
to cover, surround, or enclose something completely, especially in a protective material
encapsulate
C1
/ɪnˈkæps(j)ʊˌleɪt/
to express the main meaning of something briefly and clearly
facilitation
C1
/fəˌsɪlɪˈteɪʃən/
The act of making something easier or helping it happen.