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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230 words
hmm
C2+
/hm̩/
a sound used to show that someone is thinking, hesitating, doubtful, or mildly interested
ta-ta
C2+
/təˈtɑ/
informal: goodbye
tch
C2+
/ǀ/
a representation of the dental click used to show disapproval or disgust; tut, tsk
humph
C2+
/hʌmf/
a closed-mouth grunt expressing doubt, annoyance, contempt, or disapproval
rebus
C2+
/ˈɹibəs/
An arrangement of pictures, symbols, or words representing phrases or words, especially as a word puzzle.
pall
C2+
/pɔl/
a heavy, fine canvas, especially one laid over a coffin or tomb
speer
C2+
/spɪɹ/
in Scots and northern English, to ask, inquire, or seek information
flippant
C2+
/ˈflɪpənt/
Showing disrespect through a casual attitude, levity, and a lack of due seriousness; pert.
heigh
C2+
/heɪ/
an exclamation used to attract attention, urge someone on, or express surprise
coda
C2+
/ˈkoʊ.də/
The optional final sound of a syllable or word, occurring after its nucleus and usually composed of one or more consonants.
sere
C2+
/sɪ(ə)ɹ/
Without moisture; dry.
tête-à-tête
C2+
/ˌteɪt.əˈteɪt/
a private conversation or meeting between two people
haw-haw
C2+
/ˈhɔˌhɔ/
a loud, coarse, or affected laugh
pooh-pooh
C2+
/ˌpuːˈpuː/
to dismiss an idea, concern, or suggestion as foolish or unimportant, often contemptuously
glower
C2+
/ˈɡloʊə(ɹ)/
An angry glare or stare.
yawp
C2+
/jɔp/
to utter a loud, harsh, or coarse cry
formule
C2+
/ˈfɔː(ɹ)mjuːl/
formula (model)
maunder
C2+
/ˈmɔndɚ/
To speak in a disorganized or desultory manner; to babble or prattle.
peroration
C2+
/pɛɹəˈɹeɪʃən/
the concluding section of an oration
bullyrag
C2+
/ˈbʊliˌræɡ/
to intimidate or dominate someone by bullying
superscribe
C2+
/ˌsuːpɚˈskraɪb/
to write an address, title, or other words on the outside or upper part of something
threap
C2+
/θriːp/
chiefly northern British or Scots: to scold, chide, argue with, or rebuke someone
blunt
C2+
/blʌnt/
having a dull edge or point; direct and tactless in speech
assent
C2+
/əˈsɛnt/
agreement or approval; to express agreement
eulogize
C2+
/ˈjuləˌdʒaɪz/
to praise highly, especially in a formal speech or writing
affix
C2+
/əˈfɪks/
to attach or fasten; a prefix or suffix added to a word
confab
C2+
/ˈkɑnfæb/
an informal conversation or discussion; to chat
aye
C2+
/aɪ/
yes; an affirmative vote or answer
denominate
C2+
/dɪˈnɑmɪneɪt/
to call by a name or to express in a given unit
dispraise
C2+
/dɪsˈpreɪz/
(literary) to speak of with disapproval; censure
gist
C2+
/dʒɪst/
the central or essential meaning of a speech or text
palaver
C2+
/pəˈlævɚ/
prolonged and idle talk; a tedious fuss
snarl
C2+
/snɑrl/
to growl with bared teeth, or to speak angrily
yea
C2+
/jeɪ/
yes; an affirmative vote or response
blab
C2+
/blæb/
to reveal secrets through careless or indiscreet talk
blather
C2+
/ˈblæðɚ/
to talk at length in a foolish or nonsensical way
boo
C2+
/bu/
an exclamation to startle or to express disapproval
decipher
C2+
/dɪˈsaɪfɚ/
to convert from code or obscure form into intelligible language
execrate
C2+
/ˈɛksəˌkreɪt/
to feel or express great loathing for; to curse
locution
C2+
/loʊˈkjuʃən/
a particular word, phrase, or style of expression
monotone
C2+
/ˈmɑnəˌtoʊn/
a single unvaried tone or pitch in speech or sound
stutter
C2+
/ˈstʌtɚ/
to speak with involuntary repetition of sounds
underscore
C2+
/ˌʌndɚˈskɔːr/
to emphasize; to draw a line beneath text
whilom
C2+
/ˈhwaɪləm/
archaic word for formerly or former
accouple
C2+
/əˈkʌpəl/
archaic word for to join or couple together
attaintment
C2+
/əˈteɪntmənt/
archaic word for the act of attainting or staining with dishonour
backbite
C2+
/ˈbækbaɪt/
to speak maliciously about someone who is absent
balderdash
C2+
/ˈbɔːldɚdæʃ/
senseless or nonsensical talk; rubbish
befile
C2+
/bɪˈfaɪl/
archaic word for to make foul or defile
betalk
C2+
/bɪˈtɔk/
to talk about, discuss, or address at length
blabber
C2+
/ˈblæbɚ/
to talk foolishly, indiscreetly, or at excessive length
blither
C2+
/ˈblɪðɚ/
to talk nonsense; to babble incoherently
expletive
C2+
/ˈɛksplɪtɪv/
a profane or obscene exclamation; a meaningless filler word
intemperate
C2+
/ɪnˈtɛmpərət/
lacking moderation, especially in indulgence or speech
interrogatory
C2+
/ˌɪntəˈrɑɡətɔri/
having the form of a question; also a formal written question in law
literate
C2+
/ˈlɪtərət/
able to read and write; well educated
mute
C2+
/mjut/
refraining from or unable to produce speech or sound
prolix
C2+
/proʊˈlɪks/
tediously lengthy and wordy in speech or writing
subscribe
C2+
/səbˈskraɪb/
to arrange to receive something regularly, or to express agreement
vocalize
C2+
/ˈvoʊkəlaɪz/
to utter or express with the voice
ay
C2+
/aɪ/
yes; an affirmative vote or reply
baloney
C2+
/bəˈloʊni/
foolish or deceptive talk; nonsense
baragouin
C2+
/ˌbærəˈɡwɪn/
unintelligible or jargon-like speech; gibberish
chatter
C2+
/ˈtʃætɚ/
to talk rapidly and at length about trivial matters
connective
C2+
/kəˈnɛktɪv/
serving to connect; a word or tissue that links
contraction
C2+
/kənˈtrækʃən/
the act of shrinking or a shortened word form
debatable
C2+
/dɪˈbeɪtəbəl/
open to question or dispute; uncertain
explicate
C2+
/ˈɛksplɪˌkeɪt/
to analyze and develop in detail; to explain fully
gainsay
C2+
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/
to deny or contradict; to speak against
hyperbolize
C2+
/haɪˈpɝbəˌlaɪz/
to exaggerate or describe in extravagant terms
mime
C2+
/maɪm/
acting using gesture and movement without speech; to perform thus
overstate
C2+
/ˌoʊvərˈsteɪt/
to express or describe something as more than it really is
poser
C2+
/ˈpoʊzər/
a puzzling question or problem; one who poses or affects a persona
prattle
C2+
/ˈprætəl/
to talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
rede
C2+
/rid/
counsel or advice; an archaic word for guidance or a plan
scrawl
C2+
/skrɔl/
to write or draw in a hurried, careless, untidy way
tummy
C2+
/ˈtʌmi/
the stomach or belly, especially in informal or childish speech
vocable
C2+
/ˈvoʊkəbəl/
a word regarded as a unit of sound rather than meaning
abbreviate
C2+
/əˈbriviˌeɪt/
to shorten a word, phrase, or text
acceptation
C2+
/ˌæksɛpˈteɪʃən/
the accepted or usual meaning of a word or expression
agonist
C2+
/ˈæɡənɪst/
a contender or protagonist; (pharmacology) a substance that triggers a response
ar
C2+
/ɑr/
the name of the letter R
blandish
C2+
/ˈblændɪʃ/
to coax or persuade with flattery; to cajole
bunny
C2+
/ˈbʌni/
a child's word for a rabbit
cajole
C2+
/kəˈdʒoʊl/
to persuade someone by flattery or coaxing
cant
C2+
/kænt/
hypocritical or insincere talk; the jargon of a particular group
civility
C2+
/səˈvɪləti/
formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech
colloquy
C2+
/ˈkɑləkwi/
a formal conversation or dialogue
curt
C2+
/kɝt/
rudely brief in speech or manner
delineate
C2+
/dɪˈlɪniˌeɪt/
to describe or portray precisely; to mark out boundaries
denotative
C2+
/ˈdinoʊˌteɪtɪv/
relating to the literal meaning of a word rather than its associations
derivation
C2+
/ˌdɛrɪˈveɪʃən/
the origin or source of something, especially a word's formation
diction
C2+
/ˈdɪkʃən/
the choice and use of words, or clarity of speech
encomium
C2+
/ɛnˈkoʊmiəm/
a speech or piece of writing that warmly praises someone or something
felicitate
C2+
/fəˈlɪsɪteɪt/
to congratulate or express good wishes to someone
gloze
C2+
/ɡloʊz/
to explain away or minimize; to use flattering talk