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
stiff-arm
C2+
/ˈstɪfˌɑrm/
a push made with a fully extended arm, especially to fend off an opponent in sport
outjump
C2+
/ˌaʊtˈdʒʌmp/
to jump better than; particularly higher than, or further than.
flex
C2+
/flɛks/
to bend a joint or muscle; informally, to show off
deuce
C2+
/dus/
a playing card or die showing two; (in tennis) a tied score
triumphant
C2+
/traɪˈʌmfənt/
having won a victory or success; exultant over it
dunk
C2+
/dʌŋk/
to dip into liquid; to thrust a basketball downward through the hoop
goalie
C2+
/ˈɡoʊli/
a player who guards the goal in sports; a goalkeeper
hurdle
C2+
/ˈhɝdəl/
a barrier to be jumped in a race, or an obstacle to be overcome
incapable
C2+
/ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
lacking the ability, capacity, or fitness to do something
jock
C2+
/ˈdʒɑk/
an enthusiastic athlete, especially a male one (informal)
nil
C2+
/nɪl/
nothing; zero, especially as a score
olympian
C2+
/oʊˈlɪmpiən/
majestic, lofty, or aloof; relating to Mount Olympus or the Olympic Games
rugger
C2+
/ˈrʌɡɚ/
an informal British term for the game of rugby
solitaire
C2+
/ˈsɑləˌtɛr/
a single-player card game, or a single gem set alone
sporty
C2+
/ˈspɔrti/
interested in or suited to sport; stylishly athletic
bagatelle
C2+
/ˌbæɡəˈtɛl/
a trifle, or a short light piece of music or a tabletop ball game
batsman
C2+
/ˈbætsmən/
a player who bats, especially in cricket
clubhouse
C2+
/ˈklʌbˌhaʊs/
a building used by the members of a club or team
coachfellow
C2+
/ˈkoʊtʃˌfɛloʊ/
a horse harnessed alongside another to the same coach; a yokefellow
cocker
C2+
/ˈkɑkɚ/
to pamper or indulge; also a breed of spaniel used to flush game
competitiveness
C2+
/kəmˈpɛtətɪvnəs/
the quality of being able to compete successfully or eager to win
footy
C2+
/ˈfʊti/
informal term for football (soccer or Australian rules)
ingratiatory
C2+
/ɪnˈɡreɪʃiəˌtɔri/
intended to win favor or approval; ingratiating
mitt
C2+
/mɪt/
a padded glove, especially one used in baseball
pugilism
C2+
/ˈpjudʒəˌlɪzəm/
the practice or sport of boxing
racialism
C2+
/ˈreɪʃəˌlɪzəm/
belief in the superiority of one race; racial prejudice
ref
C2+
/rɛf/
a referee, or to act as one (informal)
spasm
C2+
/ˈspæzəm/
a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle
tourney
C2+
/ˈtɝni/
a tournament, especially a medieval jousting contest
trey
C2+
/treɪ/
a playing card or die showing three; a three-point basketball shot
umpire
C2+
/ˈʌmpaɪɚ/
an official who enforces the rules and settles disputes in a game
demivolt
C2+
/ˈdɛmiˌvoʊlt/
a riding-school movement in which a horse makes a half-turn, especially with its forelegs raised so that it turns on the hind legs