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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138 words
frankincense
C2+
/ˈfræŋkɪnsɛns/
an aromatic gum resin burned as incense
geek
C2+
/ɡiːk/
an enthusiast obsessively devoted to a niche interest
genitalia
C2+
/ˌdʒɛnɪˈteɪliə/
the external organs of reproduction
ghoul
C2+
/ɡul/
an evil spirit said to rob graves and feed on corpses
greenhorn
C2+
/ˈɡrinˌhɔrn/
an inexperienced or naive newcomer
heck
C2+
/hɛk/
a mild exclamation of surprise, irritation, or emphasis
hellcat
C2+
/ˈhɛlˌkæt/
a spiteful, violent-tempered woman; a fury
hidrosis
C2+
/haɪˈdroʊsɪs/
the secretion of sweat, especially in abnormal amounts
hoodie
C2+
/ˈhʊdi/
a hooded sweatshirt
ineptitude
C2+
/ɪnˈɛptɪtud/
lack of skill or competence; clumsiness
inflood
C2+
/ˈɪnflʌd/
a flowing in; an influx or inundation
inrush
C2+
/ˈɪnˌrʌʃ/
a sudden rushing in or influx
laird
C2+
/lɛrd/
a Scottish landed proprietor or lord of an estate
laughingstock
C2+
/ˈlæfɪŋˌstɑk/
an object of general ridicule
masseuse
C2+
/məˈsus/
a woman who provides massage professionally
nexus
C2+
/ˈnɛksəs/
a connection or link; a central or focal point
nightfall
C2+
/ˈnaɪtˌfɔl/
the onset of darkness; dusk
node
C2+
/noʊd/
a point of connection, intersection, or swelling
palpebra
C2+
/ˈpælpɪbrə/
an eyelid, in anatomical terminology
pandemonium
C2+
/ˌpændəˈmoʊniəm/
wild and noisy disorder or confusion
platitude
C2+
/ˈplætəˌtud/
a trite or overused remark presented as though it were original or profound
quietus
C2+
/kwaɪˈitəs/
something that ends or settles an affair; death or a final discharge
reliquiae
C2+
/rɪˈlɪkwiˌi/
remains or remnants, especially fossil remains or relics
ruckus
C2+
/ˈrʌkəs/
a noisy disturbance or commotion
rumpus
C2+
/ˈrʌmpəs/
a noisy disturbance, uproar, or commotion
sac
C2+
/sæk/
a pouch or bag-like cavity in an organism, often holding fluid
showdown
C2+
/ˈʃoʊdaʊn/
a decisive confrontation meant to settle a dispute
sobriquet
C2+
/ˈsoʊbrɪkeɪ/
a nickname or familiar epithet
sweetie
C2+
/ˈswiti/
a term of endearment, or informally a piece of candy
tadpole
C2+
/ˈtædpoʊl/
the aquatic larval stage of a frog or toad
treacle
C2+
/ˈtriːkəl/
British term for molasses; cloying sentimentality
trottoir
C2+
/trɒˈtwɑːr/
a pavement or sidewalk
tue
C2+
/tjuː/
a tuyere, the nozzle through which air is forced into a furnace
umbrage
C2+
/ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/
offense or annoyance, especially at a perceived slight
upside
C2+
/ˈʌpˌsaɪd/
the positive or advantageous aspect of a situation
venom
C2+
/ˈvɛnəm/
poisonous fluid secreted by some animals; bitter malice
vibrato
C2+
/vɪˈbrɑtoʊ/
a slight, rapid wavering of pitch in singing or instrumental playing
vinculum
C2+
/ˈvɪŋkjələm/
a bond or tie; a bar drawn over grouped mathematical terms
welkin
C2+
/ˈwɛl.kɪn/
the sky, the vault of heaven, or the upper air
witchcraft
C2+
/ˈwɪtʃ.kræft/
the practice of magic, especially involving spells and supernatural powers
teddy bear
C2+
/ˈtɛd.i ˌbɛr/
a soft toy made in the shape of a bear
copestone
C2+
/ˈkoʊpˌstoʊn/
the final or crowning element that completes something