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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290 words
mallow
C2
/ˈmæl.oʊ/
a plant of the family Malvaceae, often with soft hairy leaves and pink, purple, or white flowers
eglantine
C2
/ˈɛɡlənˌtaɪn/
a prickly Eurasian wild rose with fragrant leaves, pink flowers, and red hips; sweetbrier
manioc
C2
/ˈmæniˌɑːk/
the tropical plant Manihot esculenta, cultivated for its large starchy roots
cottonwood
C2
/ˈkɑːtənˌwʊd/
any of several North American poplar trees whose seeds have tufts of cottonlike hairs
toadstool
C2
/ˈtoʊdˌstuːl/
a mushroom, especially one regarded as poisonous or unsuitable for eating
agave
C2
/əˈɡɑːveɪ/
any of a genus of succulent plants with a rosette of thick, often spiny leaves and a tall flowering stalk
ginkgo
C2
/ˈɡɪŋkoʊ/
a deciduous East Asian tree with distinctive fan-shaped leaves and fleshy seeds
cassava
C2
/kəˈsɑ.və/
a tropical American plant, Manihot esculenta, cultivated for its large starchy roots
copra
C2
/ˈkɑːprə/
the dried white flesh or kernel of a coconut, from which coconut oil is extracted
begonia
C2
/bɪˈɡoʊniə/
a plant of the genus Begonia, often grown for its colorful flowers or ornamental asymmetrical leaves
rosebush
C2
/ˈɹoʊzˌbʊʃ/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
rhododendron
C2
/ˌroʊdəˈdɛndrən/
an evergreen or deciduous shrub or small tree of the genus Rhododendron, often grown for clusters of showy flowers
woodbine
C2
/ˈwʊdˌbaɪn/
British: honeysuckle, especially the fragrant climbing species Lonicera periclymenum
laith
C2
/leɪθ/
Northern English dialect: a barn or agricultural shed
foxglove
C2
/ˈfɑːksˌɡlʌv/
a tall plant of the genus Digitalis with spikes of tubular, usually purple, pink, or white flowers
obliteration
C2
/əˌblɪtɝˈeɪʃən/
The total destruction of something.
verbena
C2
/vɚˈbinə/
any of numerous tropical or subtropical American plants of the genus Verbena grown for their showy spikes of variously colored flowers
seedless
C2
/ˈsiːdləs/
having no seeds, or no hard, noticeable, or mature seeds
incompatibility
C2
/ˌɪnkəmˌpætɪˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being unable to exist or work in congenial combination
dogwood
C2
/ˈdɔɡˌwʊd/
any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Cornus, often bearing showy flowerlike bracts and red or dark fruit
hydrangea
C2
/haɪˈdreɪndʒə/
a shrub of the genus Hydrangea, grown for its large rounded or flat clusters of white, pink, blue, or purple flowers
nard
C2
/nɑɹd/
an aromatic ointment used in antiquity
sumac
C2
/ˈsuːmæk/
any of various shrubs or small trees with divided leaves and dense clusters of reddish fruit
polygamous
C2
/pəˈlɪɡəməs/
Of, relating to, or practicing polygamy.
sheaf
C2
/ʃiːf/
A bundle of cut stalks of grain tied together.
withe
C2
/wɪð/
a slender, flexible twig or shoot, especially one used for binding
arum
C2
/ˈerəm/
a plant of the genus Arum, having arrow-shaped leaves and a club-shaped spadix partly enclosed by a hoodlike spathe
milkweed
C2
/ˈmɪlkˌwiːd/
any of various plants, especially of the genus Asclepias, with milky sap and pods containing silky-tufted seeds
milch
C2
/mɪltʃ/
of a cow or other female animal: producing milk, especially when kept for dairy use
dunghill
C2
/ˈdʌŋˌhɪl/
a heap of animal dung or refuse, especially one kept for use as manure
privet
C2
/ˈprɪvɪt/
an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with small leaves and white flowers, often planted as a hedge
purposeless
C2
/ˈpɝːpəsləs/
Without purpose.
steeply
C2
/ˈstiːpli/
in a steep manner
swineherd
C2
/ˈswaɪnˌhɝd/
a person who herds, tends, and cares for pigs
gorse
C2
/ɡɔrs/
a dense evergreen shrub with spiny leaves and bright yellow flowers, common on open land in western Europe
bergamot
C2
/ˈbɝɡəˌmɑt/
small tree with pear-shaped fruit whose oil is used in perfumery
balustrade
C2
/ˈbæl.ə.stɹeɪd/
A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony, terrace, bridge, staircase, or the eaves of a building.
goldenrod
C2
/ˈɡoʊldənrɑːd/
a tall plant of the genus Solidago or a related genus, bearing clusters of small yellow flowers
crocus
C2
/ˈkɹoʊ.kəs/
a low-growing perennial plant with narrow leaves and cup-shaped white, yellow, or purple flowers
burnet
C2
/ˈbɝːnɪt/
any herb of the genus Sanguisorba, especially salad burnet, with divided leaves and dense clusters of small flowers
heliotrope
C2
/ˈhiːliəˌtroʊp/
a plant of the genus Heliotropium, often grown for clusters of fragrant purple flowers
crabapple
C2
/ˈkræbˌæpəl/
a small, hard, sour apple borne by a wild or ornamental apple tree
stile
C2
/ˈstaɪl/
A set of one or more steps surmounting a fence or wall, or a narrow gate or contrived passage through a fence or wall, which in either case allows people but not livestock to pass.
snapdragon
C2
/ˈsnæpdɹæɡən/
a garden plant of the genus Antirrhinum with brightly colored flowers shaped like a dragon's mouth
bole
C2
/boʊl/
the main trunk or stem of a tree
beechwood
C2
/ˈbiːtʃwʊd/
the hard, pale wood of a beech tree
herbaceous
C2
/ɝˈbeɪʃəs/
having soft green stems rather than persistent woody tissue, especially of a plant or plant part
anther
C2
/ˈænθɚ/
the pollen-producing part at the tip of a flower's stamen
sedge
C2
/sɛdʒ/
a grasslike plant of the family Cyperaceae, typically with solid triangular stems and growing in wet ground
haymaker
C2
/ˈheɪˌmeɪkɚ/
a powerful, often wide-swinging punch intended to knock an opponent down
thresh
C2
/θrɛʃ/
to separate grain or seeds from harvested plants by beating or by machine
jimson
C2
/ˈdʒɪmsən/
US: jimsonweed, a poisonous annual plant with trumpet-shaped flowers and prickly seed capsules
hornbeam
C2
/ˈhɔrnbiːm/
a deciduous tree or shrub of the genus Carpinus, noted for smooth bark and very hard wood
hollyhock
C2
/ˈhɑliˌhɑk/
a tall garden mallow of the genus Alcea, grown for spikes of large colourful flowers
fazenda
C2
/fəˈzɛndə/
a large Brazilian farm or plantation, especially one producing coffee
herbarium
C2
/hɝːˈberiəm/
a systematically arranged collection of preserved plant specimens kept for scientific study
puffball
C2
/ˈpʌfˌbɔːl/
a round fungus that releases a cloud of powdery spores when its mature fruiting body is pressed or broken
cowslip
C2
/ˈkaʊslɪp/
a low-growing European primrose with clusters of fragrant yellow flowers, Primula veris
arboreal
C2
/ɑɹˈbɔɹi.əl/
inhabiting or frequenting trees
vetch
C2
/vɛtʃ/
a twining leguminous plant of the genus Vicia or a related genus, often grown for fodder, seed, or green manure
coppice
C2
/ˈkɑː.pɪs/
an area of woodland managed by periodically cutting trees or shrubs near the base so that new shoots provide a recurring supply of wood
floret
C2
/fləˈɹɛt/
a diminutive flower (especially one that is part of a composite flower)
leafless
C2
/ˈliːfləs/
Of plants or trees, without leaves.
gladiolus
C2
/ˌɡlædiˈoʊləs/
a flowering plant with sword-shaped leaves and tall spikes of large, brightly colored flowers
sweetbriar
C2
/ˈswiːtˌbraɪər/
a Eurasian wild rose with prickly stems, fragrant leaves, pink flowers, and red hips
woad
C2
/woʊd/
a Eurasian plant, Isatis tinctoria, formerly cultivated as a source of blue dye
pistil
C2
/ˈpɪstəl/
the female reproductive organ of a flower, made up of the stigma, style, and ovary
pyramidal
C2
/pɪˈɹæm.ɪ.dl̩/
Pyramid-shaped.
clematis
C2
/ˈklɛmətɪs/
a plant of a large genus of mostly climbing vines grown for their conspicuous flowers and feathery seed heads
hellebore
C2
/ˈhɛləˌbɔr/
a flowering plant of the genus Helleborus, several species of which are poisonous and were formerly medicinal
laburnum
C2
/ləˈbɝː.nəm/
a small tree or shrub of the genus Laburnum, bearing hanging clusters of bright yellow flowers
tendril
C2
/ˈtɛndrəl/
a slender, curling part of a climbing plant that coils around a support
piggery
C2
/ˈpɪɡəri/
a place where pigs are kept or raised
estancia
C2
/eˈstɑːn.si.ə/
a large ranch or rural estate in Spanish-speaking South America, especially Argentina or Uruguay
asphodel
C2
/ˈæs.fəˌdel/
a Mediterranean plant with tall spikes of white, pink, or yellow flowers, especially one of the genus Asphodelus
purslane
C2
/ˈpɝːslən/
a low-growing succulent plant, especially Portulaca oleracea, whose fleshy leaves may be eaten as a vegetable or salad herb
grazier
C2
/ˈɡreɪziər/
a farmer or landholder who raises grazing livestock, especially cattle or sheep
groundnut
C2
/ˈɡraʊndnʌt/
a peanut, especially when regarded as a crop or used to make oil
jonquil
C2
/ˈd͡ʒɑŋ.kwəl/
a fragrant daffodil, Narcissus jonquilla, with narrow rushlike leaves and clusters of yellow or white flowers
sundew
C2
/ˈsʌnˌduː/
a small carnivorous bog plant of the genus Drosera whose leaves bear sticky, glistening hairs that trap and digest insects
frangipani
C2
/ˌfrændʒɪˈpɑːni/
a tropical American shrub or small tree of the genus Plumeria, grown for its clusters of strongly fragrant flowers
tillage
C2
/ˈtɪlɪd͡ʒ/
Land cultivated in this way.
agriculturist
C2
/ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃərɪst/
a specialist trained in the science, practice, or management of agriculture
parterre
C2
/pɑːɹˈtɛɚ/
a formal ornamental garden laid out in symmetrical flowerbeds divided by paths
thornbush
C2
/ˈθɔːrnˌbʊʃ/
a bush or shrub that bears thorns, spines, or other sharp projections
herbage
C2
/ˈ(h)ɚbɪd͡ʒ/
Herbaceous plant growth, especially grass.
hayrick
C2
/ˈheɪˌrɪk/
a large stack of hay, usually built outdoors for storage
byre
C2
/ˈbaɪɚ/
a farm building in which cattle are housed
medlar
C2
/ˈmɛdlɚ/
a small Eurasian tree, Mespilus germanica, cultivated for its brown apple-like fruit
furze
C2
/fɝz/
a dense, thorny evergreen shrub with bright yellow flowers; gorse
disputable
C2
/dɪˈspju.tə.bəɫ/
capable of being disproved
charlock
C2
/ˈtʃɑɹˌlɑk/
a yellow-flowered Eurasian wild mustard that commonly grows as a weed in grain fields
bilberry
C2
/ˈbɪl.bɛr.i/
a small dark-blue edible berry resembling a blueberry and growing wild in northern Europe
whorl
C2
/(h)wɔː(ɹ)l/
To form a pattern of concentric circles.
arbutus
C2
/ɑːrˈbjuːtəs/
an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Arbutus, especially the strawberry tree, with bell-shaped flowers and red fruit
spikenard
C2
/ˈspaɪkˌnɑːɹd/
a Himalayan aromatic plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, whose rhizome yields fragrant oil