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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625 words
jargon
C2
/ˈd͡ʒɑɹ.ɡən/
Special words and phrases used by a particular profession or group that others find hard to understand.
undecided
C2
/ˌʌndɪˈsaɪ̯.dɪd/
not yet having made a commitment
afresh
C2
/ʌˈfɹɛʃ/
again but in a new or different way
unbecoming
C2
/ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/
Not flattering, attractive or appropriate.
flamboyant
C2
/flæmˈbɔɪ.(j)ənt/
elaborately or excessively ornamented
impertinence
C2
/ɪmˈpɝ.tɪ.nəns/
An instance of this; a moment of being impertinent.
shimmer
C2
/ˈʃɪm.ɚ/
To shine with a soft, trembling, or flickering light.
impregnable
C2
/ˌɪmˈprɛgnəbəl/
incapable of being overcome, challenged or refuted
fabricate
C2
/ˈfæb.ɹɪ.keɪt/
To invent false information in order to deceive
tabby
C2
/ˈtæb.i/
having a grey or brown streak or a pattern or a patchy coloring
spew
C2
/spjuː/
eject or send out in large quantities, also metaphorical
abundantly
C2
/əˈbʌn.dn̩t.li/
In large amounts; plentifully.
savory
C2
/ˈseɪ.və.ɹi/
morally wholesome or acceptable
spontaneity
C2
/ˌspɑːntəˈniːəti/
The quality of doing things naturally and on impulse, without planning.
idyllic
C2
/aɪˈdɪlɪk/
extremely peaceful, happy, or beautiful, with no apparent problems
meaty
C2
/ˈmiːti/
substantial, interesting, and rich in useful content
prissy
C2
/ˈpɹɪsi/
Too concerned with proper behaviour and easily shocked; prim and fussy.
magnificence
C2
/mæɡˈnɪfɪsəns/
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
lyrical
C2
/ˈlɪɹɪkəl/
Expressing deep personal emotion in a beautiful way.
unbridled
C2
/ʌnˈbraɪdəld/
not controlled, restrained, or limited
redheaded
C2
/ˈrɛdˌhɛdɪd/
having red hair and usually fair skin
one-horse
C2
/ˈwʌnˌhɔːrs/
small, unimportant, or having very limited resources
rife
C2
/ˈraɪf/
Widespread and common, usually of something bad or harmful.
vulgarity
C2
/vʌlˈɡɜɹɪti/
the quality of lacking taste and refinement
voluptuous
C2
/vəˈlʌp.t͡ʃu.əs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
pygmy
C2
/ˈpɪɡmi/
unusually small for its kind, especially in the common name of an animal or plant
undisputed
C2
/ˌəndɪsˈpjuːtɪd/
Universally agreed upon; not disputed.
beady
C2
/ˈbiː.di/
small, round, and bright like a bead, especially describing watchful or suspicious eyes
sumptuous
C2
/ˈsʌmpt͡ʃuəs/
Magnificent, luxurious, splendid.
ebb
C2
/ɛb/
(of the tide) To flow back away from the shore.
behest
C2
/bɪˈhɛst/
An order or strong request, usually in the phrase "at the behest of".
eventful
C2
/ɪˈvɛntfəl/
full of important, interesting, or unusual events
thorny
C2
/ˈθɔɹni/
bristling with perplexities
infertile
C2
/ɪnˈfɝtɪl/
incapable of reproducing
omnipotent
C2
/ɑmˈnɪp.ə.tənt/
Having unlimited power, force or authority.
menial
C2
/ˈmiːni.əl/
Describing work that is boring, low in status, and needs little skill.
stagnant
C2
/ˈstæɡnənt/
not growing or changing
skeptic
C2
/ˈskɛp.tɪk/
someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
embody
C2
/ɪmˈbɑdi/
To be a perfect example of a quality or idea in a real, visible form.
jaunty
C2
/ˈdʒɔːnti/
showing cheerful self-confidence in a lively, carefree manner
lecherous
C2
/ˈlɛt͡ʃ.ɚ.əs/
given to excessive indulgence in sexual activity
subterfuge
C2
/ˈsʌbtəɹˌfjuːd͡ʒ/
something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
traceable
C2
/ˈtreɪsəbəl/
capable of being found, followed, or identified by examining a sequence of evidence or records
undisclosed
C2
/ˌəndɪsˈkloʊzd/
Not disclosed.
parable
C2
/ˈpæɹ.ə.bəl/
A short story that teaches a moral or religious lesson.
shoal
C2
/ʃəʊl/
A large group of fish swimming together.
insurmountable
C2
/ˌɪnsɝˈmaʊntəbəl/
too great or difficult to overcome
whopping
C2
/ˈ(h)wɑpɪŋ/
exceptionally large, impressive, or extreme
prejudicial
C2
/ˌprɛdʒəˈdɪʃəl/
tending to favor preconceived ideas
baseless
C2
/ˈbeɪsləs/
not supported by evidence, facts, or sound reasons
spiky
C2
/ˈspaɪki/
having many sharp points or projections; in this passage, standing up in stiff pointed tufts
aflame
C2
/əˈfleɪm/
burning or on fire
delicatessen
C2
/ˌdɛlɪkəˈtɛsən/
A shop that sells high-quality cooked meats, cheeses, and other ready-to-eat foods.
conceivably
C2
/kənˈsiːvəbli/
within the realm of possibility
magnificently
C2
/mæɡˈnɪfɪsəntli/
In a magnificent manner.
stubby
C2
/ˈstʌb.i/
short, thick, and often blunt or stunted
savagely
C2
/ˈsævɪdʒli/
In a wild, uncontrolled, or savage manner.
hereabouts
C2
/ˈhɪrəˌbaʊts/
in this general vicinity
verily
C2
/ˈvɛɹ.əl.i/
Truly; in truth (now old-fashioned or formal).
obtuse
C2
/əbˈt(j)us/
lacking in insight or discernment
substantiate
C2
/səbˈstænʃiˌeɪt/
To prove that something is true by giving evidence.
nonchalant
C2
/ˌnɑn.ʃəˈlɑnt/
Calm and relaxed, showing that you are not worried or interested.
chrysalis
C2
/ˈkɹɪsəlɪs/
The hard case in which a caterpillar changes into a butterfly or moth.
indelible
C2
/ɪnˈdeləbəl/
impossible or very difficult to erase, wash away, or remove
tumultuous
C2
/tuˈmʌl.t͡ʃu.əs/
characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
opaque
C2
/oʊˈpeɪk/
Not allowing light to pass through; not transparent.
topsy-turvy
C2
/ˌtɑːp.siˈtɝː.vi/
confused, disordered, or arranged with normal relationships and priorities reversed
nobly
C2
/ˈnoʊbli/
in a noble manner
insipid
C2
/ˌɪnˈsɪpəd/
lacking interest or significance or impact
serpentine
C2
/ˈsɝ.pənˌtaɪn/
resembling a serpent in form
sporadic
C2
/spɝˈædɪk/
recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
commode
C2
/kəˈməʊd/
A toilet, or a chair with a built-in chamber pot.
inscrutable
C2
/ˌɪnˈskɹuːtəbl̩/
Impossible to understand or read; mysterious.
unchallenged
C2
/ʌnˈtʃæl.ɪndʒd/
not questioned, disputed, or opposed
whir
C2
/wɝ/
A low, continuous buzzing sound made by something moving fast.
undetermined
C2
/ˌəndɪˈtɝːmɪnd/
not yet having been ascertained or determined
thicket
C2
/ˈθɪkɪt/
A dense group of bushes, shrubs, or small trees.
glitz
C2
/ɡlɪts/
Showy, glamorous style that may seem cheap or shallow.
torrid
C2
/ˈtɔɹɪd/
emotionally charged and vigorously energetic
melodious
C2
/məˈloʊdi.əs/
Pleasant to listen to; having a beautiful tune.
bandy
C2
/ˈbæn.di/
curved outward at or below the knees; bowlegged
strangeness
C2
/ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
the quality of being alien or not native
rosette
C2
/roʊˈzɛt/
a circular ornament, mark, or arrangement resembling a rose
palatable
C2
/ˈpælətəbəl/
Pleasant to taste; good to eat.
materialism
C2
/məˈtɪɹiəlɪzəm/
A strong focus on owning things and having money rather than on spiritual or moral values.
malleable
C2
/ˈmæl.iː.ə.bəl/
Easily shaped or changed; flexible.
finicky
C2
/ˈfɪnɪki/
exacting, especially about details
bauble
C2
/[ˈbɒbəɫ]/
A cheap, showy ornament or piece of jewellery of little value.
ostensibly
C2
/ɑˈstɛn.sə.bli/
According to what is stated or appears to be true, though the real situation may be different.
acrobatics
C2
/ˌækrəˈbætɪks/
Difficult and impressive physical movements such as jumps, flips, and balances.
buoyancy
C2
/ˈbɔɪənsi/
irrepressible liveliness and good spirit
drudgery
C2
/ˈdrʌdʒɝi/
Hard, boring, and tiring work that requires little skill.
fervently
C2
/ˈfɝvəntli/
with passionate fervor
abhorrent
C2
/æbˈhɔɹ.ənt/
Causing strong feelings of disgust and hatred; utterly unacceptable.
throb
C2
/θɹɑb/
an instance of rapid strong pulsation
maliciously
C2
/məˈlɪʃɪsli/
In a way that is intended to harm or hurt others.