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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249 words
deposition
C2+
/ˌdɛp.əˈzɪʃ.ən/
The removal of someone from office.
ethereal
C2+
/ɪˈθɪɚ.i.əl/
characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
rationalize
C2+
/ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/
remove irrational quantities from
go-getter
C2+
/ˈɡoʊˌɡɛt.ɚ/
an energetic, enterprising, and ambitious person who acts decisively to achieve success
solder
C2+
/ˈsɑd.ɚ/
an alloy, usually of lead and tin, used when melted to join two metal surfaces
regale
C2+
/ɹɪˈɡeɪl/
To please or entertain (someone), especially with stories, tales or jokes.
exploitative
C2+
/ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/
In the nature of exploitation; acting to exploit someone or something
chucklehead
C2+
/ˈtʃʌkl̩ˌhɛd/
informal, disparaging: a stupid, foolish, or clumsy person
burnish
C2+
/ˈbɝnɪʃ/
to polish and make shiny
dyspeptic
C2+
/ˌdɪˈspɛptɪk/
A dyspeptic person.
ill-natured
C2+
/ˌɪlˈneɪtʃɚd/
habitually unkind, irritable, or difficult in temperament
detraction
C2+
/dɪˈtɹækʃən/
the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's reputation, especially by slander
hobbledehoy
C2+
/ˈhɑː.bəl.diˌhɔɪ/
an awkward, gawky, or ill-mannered adolescent boy
beetle-browed
C2+
/ˈbiː.təl.braʊd/
having heavy, bushy, or projecting eyebrows
unhesitating
C2+
/ʌnˈhɛzɪˌteɪtɪŋ/
done quickly and firmly, without hesitation
missish
C2+
/ˈmɪs.ɪʃ/
dated and usually disapproving: affectedly prim, prudish, or overly proper in a way stereotypically associated with a young unmarried woman
mullet-headed
C2+
/ˈmʌlɪtˌhɛdɪd/
dated informal, disparaging: foolish, dull-witted, or slow to notice what is happening
callipygous
C2+
/ˌkæl.ɪˈpɪ.d͡ʒəs/
rare: having shapely or attractively proportioned buttocks
ill-kempt
C2+
/ˌɪlˈkɛmpt/
untidy, poorly groomed, or disheveled in appearance
womanhater
C2+
/ˈwʊm.ənˌheɪ.tɚ/
a person who hates, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women; a misogynist
conformable
C2+
/kənˈfɔɹməbəl/
corresponding in form or character; compliant
bland
C2+
/blænd/
lacking strong flavour, interest, or distinctive character
debase
C2+
/dɪˈbeɪs/
to lower in quality, value, character, or dignity
reckless
C2+
/ˈrɛkləs/
acting without thought for danger or consequences
barbarous
C2+
/ˈbɑrbərəs/
savagely cruel; uncivilized or coarse
ennoble
C2+
/ɪˈnoʊbəl/
to give a noble character to; to elevate in dignity or rank
aloof
C2+
/əˈluːf/
distant or reserved in manner; not friendly or forthcoming
demure
C2+
/dɪˈmjʊr/
reserved, modest, and shy
variant
C2+
/ˈvɛriənt/
a form differing from others of the same kind
bastardly
C2+
/ˈbæstɚdli/
(archaic) base, debased, or of illegitimate or spurious character
beneficent
C2+
/bəˈnɛfəsənt/
doing or producing good; generous and kindly
braveness
C2+
/ˈbreɪvnəs/
the quality of being brave; courage
charitable
C2+
/ˈtʃɛrətəbəl/
generous in giving to those in need; tolerant in judging others
diabolical
C2+
/ˌdaɪəˈbɑlɪkəl/
extremely wicked or cruel; devilish
adroit
C2+
/əˈdrɔɪt/
clever and skillful, especially in handling situations
captivating
C2+
/ˈkæptɪˌveɪtɪŋ/
capable of attracting and holding interest; charming
cocky
C2+
/ˈkɑki/
overly self-confident in a brash way
industrious
C2+
/ɪnˈdʌstriəs/
diligent and hardworking
boldness
C2+
/ˈboʊldnəs/
the quality of being daring, confident, or fearless
brainy
C2+
/ˈbreɪni/
intelligent or clever
brash
C2+
/bræʃ/
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way
contrition
C2+
/kənˈtrɪʃən/
sincere remorse or penitence for wrongdoing
diabolic
C2+
/ˌdaɪəˈbɑlɪk/
characteristic of the devil; fiendishly wicked or cruel
dissimilar
C2+
/dɪˈsɪmələr/
not alike; different in nature or kind
imaginable
C2+
/ɪˈmædʒənəbəl/
capable of being conceived or imagined
incompetent
C2+
/ɪnˈkɑmpətənt/
lacking the skill or ability to do something successfully
moldable
C2+
/ˈmoʊldəbəl/
capable of being shaped or formed
motile
C2+
/ˈmoʊtəl/
capable of independent movement
munificent
C2+
/mjuˈnɪfəsənt/
larger or more generous than is usual or necessary
prestidigitation
C2+
/ˌprɛstəˌdɪdʒəˈteɪʃən/
skillful sleight of hand; conjuring tricks
slumber
C2+
/ˈslʌmbɚ/
sleep, especially of a light or peaceful kind
alterable
C2+
/ˈɔltərəbəl/
capable of being changed or modified
artless
C2+
/ˈɑrtləs/
free from deceit or guile; naturally simple and sincere
audible
C2+
/ˈɔdəbəl/
capable of being heard
barbaric
C2+
/bɑrˈbærɪk/
savagely cruel, primitive, or uncivilized
believable
C2+
/bɪˈlivəbəl/
capable of being believed; credible
bungling
C2+
/ˈbʌŋɡlɪŋ/
clumsy and incompetent in action
conciliate
C2+
/kənˈsɪliˌeɪt/
to win over or pacify by friendly or soothing means
disparate
C2+
/ˈdɪspərət/
essentially different in kind and not allowing comparison
divisible
C2+
/dɪˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being divided, especially without a remainder
domineering
C2+
/ˌdɑməˈnɪrɪŋ/
asserting one's will over others in an arrogant, controlling way
doughty
C2+
/ˈdaʊti/
brave and resolute; valiant
earnestly
C2+
/ˈɝnɪstli/
in a sincere and serious manner
facultative
C2+
/ˈfækəlˌteɪtɪv/
optional rather than obligatory; capable of but not bound to occur
foible
C2+
/ˈfɔɪbəl/
a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character
hardy
C2+
/ˈhɑrdi/
robust and capable of enduring difficult conditions
heartfelt
C2+
/ˈhɑrtˌfɛlt/
sincere and deeply felt
heedless
C2+
/ˈhiːdləs/
showing a reckless lack of care or attention
humility
C2+
/hjuˈmɪlɪti/
a modest or humble view of one's own importance
ingeniousness
C2+
/ɪnˈdʒinjəsnəs/
the quality of being clever, original, and inventive
outgoing
C2+
/ˈaʊtˌɡoʊɪŋ/
friendly and sociable; leaving office or departing
princely
C2+
/ˈprɪnsli/
befitting a prince; generous or lavish in scale
repentance
C2+
/rɪˈpɛntəns/
sincere regret or remorse for wrongdoing or sin
resemblance
C2+
/rɪˈzɛmbləns/
the quality of being similar in appearance or character
saturnine
C2+
/ˈsætərnaɪn/
gloomy, sullen, or grave in temperament or appearance
scintillate
C2+
/ˈsɪntəleɪt/
to sparkle or flash; to be brilliantly clever or animated
sincerely
C2+
/sɪnˈsɪrli/
in a genuine, honest, heartfelt manner
stalwart
C2+
/ˈstɔlwərt/
loyal, reliable, and hard-working; sturdy and resolute
sureness
C2+
/ˈʃʊrnəs/
the quality of being certain, confident, or reliably accurate
tyrannical
C2+
/təˈrænɪkəl/
exercising power in a cruel, oppressive, and arbitrary way
amity
C2+
/ˈæməti/
friendly and peaceful relations
approachable
C2+
/əˈproʊtʃəbəl/
easy to talk to or to reach; friendly
artful
C2+
/ˈɑrtfəl/
clever or skillful, often in a cunning or deceptive way
assort
C2+
/əˈsɔrt/
to arrange or classify into groups according to kind
bashful
C2+
/ˈbæʃfəl/
shy and easily embarrassed
bendable
C2+
/ˈbɛndəbəl/
capable of being bent without breaking
benignant
C2+
/bɪˈnɪɡnənt/
kind and gracious, especially toward inferiors
bestial
C2+
/ˈbɛstʃəl/
savagely cruel, brutish, or like a beast
bighearted
C2+
/ˈbɪɡˌhɑrtɪd/
generous, kind, and warmly sympathetic
bounty
C2+
/ˈbaʊnti/
a reward offered for a task, or generous abundance
companionable
C2+
/kəmˈpænjənəbəl/
friendly and sociable; pleasant to be with
controllable
C2+
/kənˈtroʊləbəl/
capable of being managed or directed
crafty
C2+
/ˈkræfti/
clever at achieving aims by deceit or indirect means
dastardly
C2+
/ˈdæstɚdli/
wicked and cruel in a cowardly, contemptible way
deific
C2+
/diˈɪfɪk/
making divine, or having a godlike character
despotic
C2+
/dɪˈspɑtɪk/
exercising absolute power in a cruel or oppressive way