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.
Choose your level
View all levels
187 words
grenadier
C2
/ˌɡrɛnəˈdɪr/
a soldier originally trained to throw grenades, and later a member of an elite infantry regiment or guard unit
reservist
C2
/rɪˈzɝːvɪst/
a member of a military reserve who can be called into active service
redistribution
C2
/ˌɹiːdɪstɹəˈbjuːʃən/
distributing again
disintegrator
C2
/dɪsˈɪntəˌɡreɪtɚ/
a fictional weapon or device that destroys matter by breaking it apart
conscript
C2
/ˈkɑːnskrɪpt/
a person compulsorily enrolled in military or other public service
broadsword
C2
/ˈbrɔːdˌsɔːrd/
a sword with a broad blade, typically sharpened on both edges and designed mainly for cutting
halve
C2
/hɑːv/
divide by two
bulwark
C2
/ˈbʊl.wɚk/
to defend with a bulwark
embattled
C2
/ɛmˈbætəld/
involved in, surrounded by, or persistently troubled by conflict or controversy
munition
C2
/ˌmjuˈnɪʃən/
usually plural: military weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other supplies used in war
furtively
C2
/ˈfɝːtɪvli/
in a furtive manner
thereon
C2
/ðɛˈɹɑn/
on that
portcullis
C2
/pɔrtˈkʌlɪs/
a heavy gate made of a wood or metal grating that slides vertically to block a fortified entrance
queller
C2
/ˈkwɛlɚ/
a person or thing that suppresses, subdues, or puts an end to resistance, disorder, or a strong feeling
redoubt
C2
/rɪˈdaʊt/
a small enclosed defensive fortification, often temporary or supplementary
whitish
C2
/ˈwaɪtɪʃ/
Somewhat white, pale or almost white.
blunderbuss
C2
/ˈblʌn.dɚˌbʌs/
An old style of muzzleloading firearm and early form of shotgun with a distinctive short, large caliber barrel that is flared at the muzzle, therefore able to fire scattered quantities of nails, stones, shot, etc. at short range.
peremptory
C2
/pɝˈɛmptɝi/
putting an end to all debate or action
polemic
C2
/pəˈlɛmɪk/
Having the characteristics of a polemic.
emplacement
C2
/ɪmˈpleɪsmənt/
military installation consisting of a prepared position for siting a weapon
slavish
C2
/ˈsleɪvɪʃ/
blindly imitative
guardroom
C2
/ˈɡɑːrdˌruːm/
a room occupied by soldiers or other personnel while they are on guard duty
artilleryman
C2
/ɑrˈtɪlərimən/
a soldier trained to operate artillery weapons
nimbly
C2
/ˈnɪmbli/
in a nimble manner
mutineer
C2
/ˌmjuː.tənˈɪr/
a person who takes part in a mutiny, especially a sailor or soldier rebelling collectively against commanding officers
seaward
C2
/ˈsiːwə(ɹ)d/
in the direction of the sea
subaltern
C2
/sʌbˈɔːl.tɚn/
historical British military usage: a commissioned army officer below the rank of captain, such as a lieutenant
portentous
C2
/pɔː(ɹ)ˈtɛntəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
armorer
C2
a manufacturer of firearms
palisade
C2
/ˌpæl.əˈseɪd/
a defensive fence or barrier made from a close row of strong pointed wooden stakes
milquetoast
C2
/ˈmɪlkˌtoʊst/
meek or timid
stymie
C2
/ˈstaɪmi/
An obstacle or obstruction.
pervade
C2
/pɚˈveɪd/
To be in every part of; to spread through; to permeate.
battlement
C2
/ˈbæt.əl.mənt/
a defensive parapet at the top of a castle or wall, with alternating raised sections and gaps for observation or weapons
pusillanimous
C2
/ˌpjuːsɪlˈænɪməs/
Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity.
buckler
C2
/ˈbʌk.lɚ/
historical: a small round shield held in the hand or worn on the arm for parrying blows
unionism
C2
/ˈjuːnjəˌnɪzəm/
The support of advocacy of a union, especially of a trade union.
soldiery
C2
/ˈsəʊldʒəɹi/
Soldiers considered as a group.
ostracize
C2
/ˈɑstɹəˌsaɪz/
avoid speaking to or dealing with
circumlocution
C2
/ˌsɝkəmləˈkjuʃən/
A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; thus
pyrrhic
C2
/ˈpɪɹɪk/
of or relating to or resembling Pyrrhus or his exploits, especially his sustaining staggering losses in order to defeat the Romans
belligerence
C2
/bəˈlɪdʒɝəns/
Aggressive, hostile behaviour or a readiness to fight.
bowstring
C2
/ˈboʊˌstɹɪŋ/
the cord stretched between the ends of an archer's bow and drawn back to shoot an arrow
trireme
C2
/ˈtraɪ.riːm/
an ancient Mediterranean war galley propelled chiefly by oars arranged in three banks on each side
generalship
C2
/ˈdʒɛnɝəlˌʃɪp/
skill or performance in commanding an army and directing military operations
cannonade
C2
/ˌkæn.əˈneɪd/
intense or sustained firing by cannons or other artillery
fusillade
C2
/ˌfjuː.zɪˈleɪd/
a large number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession
flanker
C2
/ˈflæŋ.kɚ/
a soldier or unit positioned to guard, attack, or operate on the side of a military formation
cannoneer
C2
/ˌkænəˈnɪ(ə)ɹ/
An artillery soldier who maintains and operates (historical) a cannon, or (now) some other piece of heavy artillery.
hoplite
C2
/ˈhɑːplaɪt/
a heavily armed citizen infantry soldier of ancient Greece, typically carrying a spear and large round shield
cuirass
C2
/kwɪˈræs/
a piece of body armour protecting the chest and back, originally of leather and later usually of metal
virago
C2
/vɪˈɹɑːɡəʊ/
a large, strong, and aggressivly dominating woman
protean
C2
/ˈpɹoʊ.tɪ.ən/
Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.
bandolier
C2
/ˌbæn.dəˈlɪr/
a belt worn over one shoulder with loops or pockets for carrying cartridges
outwork
C2
/ˈaʊtˌwɝk/
a subsidiary defensive fortification built beyond a fortress's main enclosure
sanguinary
C2
/ˈsæŋɡwɪnɛɹi/
involving or accompanied by much bloodshed
venality
C2
/vɪˈnælɪti/
prostitution of talents or offices or services for reward
attenuate
C2
/əˈten.jʉˌæɪt/
to become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
ballista
C2
/bəˈlɪs.tə/
an ancient torsion-powered missile weapon resembling a giant crossbow and used to launch heavy bolts or stones
pugnacity
C2
/pʌɡˈnæsəti/
The act or characteristic of being aggressive or combative.
distributive
C2
/dɪsˈtɹɪbjʊtɪv/
Tending to distribute; serving to divide and assign in portions; dealing a proper share to each.
regimentals
C2
/ˌrɛdʒəˈmɛntəlz/
the uniform and insignia of a soldier's regiment; a plural-only and often historical noun
condottiere
C2
/ˌkɑːn.dəˈtjɛr.eɪ/
historical: the commander of a mercenary company in Italy or elsewhere in Europe, especially from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries
exigency
C2
/ˈɛɡzəd͡ʒənsi/
a pressing or urgent situation
sullenly
C2
/ˈsʌlənli/
In a sullen manner.
rapine
C2
/ˈræp.ɪn/
the violent seizure of property, especially widespread pillage during war or civil disorder
ruction
C2
/ˈrʌkʃən/
informal: a noisy quarrel, fight, or angry disturbance
outrider
C2
/ˈaʊtˌraɪ.dɚ/
a mounted escort who rides ahead of or beside a procession, vehicle, or body of travelers
impressment
C2
/ɪmˈprɛsmənt/
historical: the forcible recruitment of people into military service, especially sailors into a navy
militate
C2
/ˈmɪlɪteɪt/
To give force or effect toward; to influence.
zouave
C2
/zuːˈɑːv/
a soldier of a French light-infantry corps originally recruited in Algeria and known for a distinctive, brightly colored uniform
unwonted
C2
/ʌnˈwɑntɪd/
out of the ordinary
culverin
C2
/ˈkʌlvəɹɪn/
a long-barreled cannon used chiefly in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
caltrop
C2
/ˈkæl.trəp/
a small metal device with four spikes arranged so that one point always faces upward, used to injure feet, hooves, or tires
refulgent
C2
/ɹəˈfʌld͡ʒənt/
As if giving off light or warmth.
zareba
C2
/zəˈriːbə/
an improvised defensive enclosure or stockade, especially one made from thorn bushes in parts of Africa
breastwork
C2
/ˈbrɛstˌwɝːk/
a low defensive wall or earthwork high enough to protect a fighter's chest
unlimber
C2
/ˌʌnˈlɪmbər/
to detach an artillery piece from its limber and make it ready to fire
ambuscade
C2
/ˈæm.bəˌskeɪd/
an ambush, or a concealed position from which a surprise attack is made
linstock
C2
/ˈlɪnˌstɑk/
A pointed forked staff, shod with iron at the foot, to hold a lighted match for firing cannon.
poniard
C2
/ˈpɑn.jɚd/
historical: a dagger with a slender blade, often of triangular or square cross section
polemarch
C2
/ˈpɑləˌmɑɹk/
in ancient Greece, a senior military commander or war leader
bowshot
C2
/ˈboʊˌʃɑt/
the distance over which an arrow can be shot effectively from a bow
besieger
C2
/bɪˈsiː.dʒɚ/
a person or force that surrounds and attacks a fortified place in order to make it surrender
sally port
C2
/ˈsæli ˌpɔːrt/
a small gate or passage in a fortified place through which defenders can make a sortie
catapulta
C2
/ˌkætəˈpʌltə/
historical: a Roman military engine for launching arrows, stones, or other projectiles
trierarch
C2
/ˈtraɪ.əˌrɑːrk/
a commander or captain of a trireme in the ancient Greek world
reinvasion
C2
/ˌriːɪnˈveɪʒən/
a renewed or subsequent invasion
ensigncy
C2
/ˈen.sən.si/
historical: the rank, office, or commission of an ensign, especially a junior officer in an army regiment
habergeon
C2
/ˈhæbərdʒən/
historical: a short, sleeveless or short-sleeved coat of mail, lighter than a hauberk
rencounter
C2
/ˌrɛnˈkaʊntər/
to meet, encounter, or collide with