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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145 words
susceptible
C2+
/səˈseptɪbl̩/
(often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of
devoid
C2+
/dɪˈvɔɪd/
Completely without; having none of.
crikey
C2+
/ˈkɹaɪ.ki/
informal, chiefly British and Australian: used to express surprise, amazement, alarm, or emphasis
begone
C2+
/biːˈɡɒn/
archaic or literary: a forceful command to go away
parody
C2+
/ˈpæɹədi/
To make a parody of something.
prologue
C2+
/ˈpɹoʊlɔɡ/
One who delivers a prologue.
assertive
C2+
/əˈsɝtɪv/
aggressively self-assured
dissolution
C2+
/ˌdɪsəˈluʃən/
Disintegration, or decomposition into fragments.
prithee
C2+
/ˈprɪði/
archaic: please; used to introduce or strengthen a request or question
cripes
C2+
/kɹaɪps/
a mild, old-fashioned exclamation of surprise, alarm, annoyance, or disbelief
forage
C2+
/ˈfoɹɪd͡ʒ/
wander and feed
oho
C2+
/oʊˈhoʊ/
an exclamation expressing surprise, discovery, or triumphant realization
petulant
C2+
/ˈpɛt͡ʃʊlənt/
Childishly irritable.
corrosion
C2+
/kəˈɹoʊʒən/
The gradual destruction or undermining of something.
egad
C2+
/iˈɡæd/
archaic: a mild exclamation expressing surprise, emphasis, outrage, or contempt
mannered
C2+
/ˈmænɝd/
having unnatural mannerisms
palatial
C2+
/pəˈleɪʃəl/
suitable for or like a palace
avast
C2+
/əˈvæst/
a nautical command to stop, cease, or hold fast
goo-goo
C2+
/ˈɡuːˌɡuː/
informal: lovingly sentimental or amorous, especially in the phrase goo-goo eyes
storied
C2+
/ˈstɔːɹid/
having an illustrious past
unimpeachable
C2+
/ˌənɪmˈpiːtʃəbəl/
beyond doubt or reproach
irreverent
C2+
/ˌɪˈrɛvɝənt/
showing lack of due respect or veneration
hotly
C2+
/ˈhɑːtli/
In a heated manner; intensely or vehemently.
proclivity
C2+
/pɹoʊˈklɪvɪti/
a natural inclination
unflappable
C2+
/ʌnˈflæpəbəl/
Remaining composed and level-headed at all times; impossible to fluster; not becoming frustrated or irritated easily.
funereal
C2+
/fjuːˈnɪəɹɪ.əl/
suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
preempt
C2+
/ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt/
take the place of or have precedence over
raconteur
C2+
/ˌɹæk.ɑnˈtɝ/
To make witty remarks or stories.
fash
C2+
/fæʃ/
Scots and Northern English: to trouble, bother, or worry someone, often oneself
welter
C2+
/ˈwɛltɚ/
be immersed in
askance
C2+
/əˈskæns/
with a side or oblique glance
jiggered
C2+
/ˈdʒɪɡɚd/
extremely tired; old-fashioned and informal in British English
tenable
C2+
/ˈten.ə.bəl/
capable of being maintained or justified; well-founded
self-effacing
C2+
Shy, extremely humble and modest; making oneself seem unnoticeable.
mendacious
C2+
/mɛnˈdeɪʃəs/
given to lying
braw
C2+
/brɔ/
in Scots, fine, excellent, handsome, or pleasing
indecorous
C2+
lacking propriety and good taste in manners and conduct
imponderable
C2+
/ɪmˈpɑːndəɹəbl/
difficult or impossible to evaluate with precision
intemperance
C2+
/ɪnˈtɛmpɛɹəns/
excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence
peart
C2+
/pɝːt/
chiefly Southern and Midland US: lively, cheerful, or in good spirits
whithersoever
C2+
/ˌwɪðərsoʊˈevər/
to whatever place; wherever, in an archaic or literary style
idolatrous
C2+
/aɪˈdɒlətrəs/
relating to or practicing idolatry
ramification
C2+
/ˌɹæməfəˈkeɪʃən/
a development that complicates a situation
distain
C2+
/dɪˈsteɪn/
archaic or literary: to stain, discolor, or tarnish something
malinger
C2+
/məˈlɪŋɡɚ/
To feign illness, injury, or incapacitation in order to avoid work, obligation, or perilous risk.
distend
C2+
/dɪˈstɛnd/
swell from or as if from internal pressure
methink
C2+
/miˈθɪŋk/
archaic, poetic, or humorous, impersonal: it seems to me; now usually encountered in the forms methinks and methought
nymphomaniacal
C2+
/ˌnɪm.fə.məˈnaɪ.ə.kəl/
dated, offensive, and usually applied to a woman: supposedly having excessive or uncontrollable sexual desire
bobbish
C2+
/ˈbɑbɪʃ/
in good health and spirits; hearty or cheerful; dated British slang
unforthcoming
C2+
Not forthcoming; laconic or uncooperative.
rubicund
C2+
/ˈɹubəˌkənd/
Possessing a red complexion; ruddy.
quondam
C2+
/ˈkwɑːn.dəm/
former; belonging to an earlier time or once holding a particular role
chirk
C2+
/tʃɝːk/
to make a short, sharp chirping, squeaking, or creaking sound
fiddledeedee
C2+
/ˌfɪdəldiːˈdiː/
an exclamation expressing impatience, disbelief, scorn, or dismissal of something as nonsense
chuckleheaded
C2+
/ˈtʃʌkəlˌhɛdɪd/
informal and insulting: stupid, foolish, or slow-witted
pumpkin-headed
C2+
/ˈpʌmpkɪnˌhɛdɪd/
informal and insulting: stupid, foolish, or having a supposedly thick or empty head
acidulous
C2+
/əˈsɪdjʊləs/
Slightly sour; subacid; sourish.
soi-disant
C2+
/ˌswɑːdiːˈzɒ̃/
self-styled or self-proclaimed, often with the implication that the claim is doubtful or pretentious
searchingly
C2+
in a searching or probing manner
phrasemonger
C2+
/ˈfreɪzˌmʌŋɡɚ/
a person who habitually uses showy, overelaborate, or empty phrases
sequacious
C2+
/sɪˈkweɪʃəs/
Likely to follow or yield to physical pressure; easily shaped or molded.
whencesoever
C2+
/ˌwɛnssoʊˈɛvɚ/
from whatever place or source; from wherever
cramble
C2+
/ˈkɹæmbəl/
British dialect: to move unsteadily, stiffly, or with difficulty; to hobble
comportable
C2+
/kəmˈpɔrtəbəl/
Consistent; suitable.
scrouge
C2+
/skraʊdʒ/
chiefly dialectal: to crowd, press, or squeeze into a confined place
anent
C2+
/əˈnent/
concerning or with regard to; used chiefly in Scots and formal or archaic writing
ruth
C2+
/ruθ/
compassion or pity for another's suffering (archaic)
bloke
C2+
/bloʊk/
(British informal) a man; a fellow
chap
C2+
/tʃæp/
(British informal) a man or boy; a fellow
despect
C2+
/dɪˈspɛkt/
contempt or disregard (archaic)
applesauce
C2+
/ˈæpəlsɔːs/
a purée of stewed apples; slang for nonsense
benj
C2+
/bɛndʒ/
dialectal name for henbane or, in slang, marijuana used as an intoxicant
bairn
C2+
/bɛrn/
a child (chiefly Scottish and northern English)
camelopard
C2+
/kəˈmɛləˌpɑrd/
an archaic name for the giraffe
rep
C2+
/rɛp/
an informal term for a representative, reputation, or a repetition
alco
C2+
/ˈælkoʊ/
(slang) an alcoholic or heavy drinker
argot
C2+
/ˈɑrɡoʊ/
the specialized slang or jargon of a particular group
battercake
C2+
/ˈbætɚˌkeɪk/
a thin cake fried from batter; a pancake (dialectal)
bint
C2+
/bɪnt/
a woman or girl (British slang, often derogatory)
bumbershoot
C2+
/ˈbʌmbɚˌʃut/
(US informal, dated) an umbrella
coistril
C2+
/ˈkɔɪstrəl/
a knave or base fellow; a groom or knight's attendant (archaic)
dick
C2+
/dɪk/
a detective (informal, dated slang)
morn
C2+
/mɔrn/
morning (chiefly poetic or archaic)
prof
C2+
/prɑf/
an informal term for a professor
adzooks
C2+
/ædˈzuks/
an archaic exclamation of surprise or annoyance
amanuensis
C2+
/əˌmænjuˈɛnsɪs/
a literary or artistic assistant who writes from dictation or copies manuscripts
beambird
C2+
/ˈbimˌbɝd/
a dialectal name for the spotted flycatcher
bim
C2+
/bɪm/
dialectal or slang term for a woman, often derogatory; a bimbo
bingle
C2+
/ˈbɪŋɡəl/
Australian slang for a minor crash or collision, especially of vehicles
blackcoat
C2+
/ˈblækkoʊt/
archaic term for a clergyman, from the black clerical garb
bub
C2+
/bʌb/
an informal, often condescending term of address for a man or boy
cheerio
C2+
/ˌtʃɪriˈoʊ/
a chiefly British expression used as a farewell
cig
C2+
/sɪɡ/
an informal shortening of cigarette
cuke
C2+
/kjuk/
an informal shortening of cucumber
dandiprat
C2+
/ˈdændɪˌpræt/
an archaic term for an insignificant fellow or urchin
defeature
C2+
/dɪˈfitʃər/
defeat or undoing; disfigurement (archaic)