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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130 words
ferrule
C2
/ˈfɛrəl/
a metal or other strong ring, cap, or sleeve fitted around a shaft to strengthen it or prevent splitting
penholder
C2
/ˈpɛnˌhoʊl.dər/
a handle into which a detachable pen nib is fitted
rowel
C2
/ˈraʊəl/
the small wheel with projecting points at the end of a rider's spur
toothing
C2
/ˈtuːθɪŋ/
bricks or stones left projecting alternately at the end of a wall so that a later extension can be bonded to it
ashlar
C2
/ˈæʃ.lɚ/
a block of building stone cut or worked into a regular rectangular shape
piggin
C2
/ˈpɪɡɪn/
a small wooden pail or scoop made with one stave extending upward to form a handle
embrasure
C2
/ɪmˈbreɪʒɚ/
the inward-splayed recess around a door or window opening in a thick wall
handspike
C2
/ˈhænd.spaɪk/
a stout bar used as a lever, especially by sailors to turn a capstan or windlass
pilaster
C2
/pɪˈlæstɚ/
a shallow rectangular column projecting from a wall, usually with a base and capital and often serving a decorative architectural role
nailhead
C2
/ˈneɪlˌhɛd/
the flattened or enlarged end of a nail opposite its point, designed to receive the blow of a hammer
coign
C2
/kɔɪn/
archaic spelling of quoin: an external corner or projecting angle of a wall, especially one emphasized with contrasting masonry
spinning-wheel
C2
/ˈspɪnɪŋˌwiːl/
a hand- or foot-powered machine that twists fibers into thread or yarn
bootjack
C2
/ˈbuːtˌdʒæk/
a forked device that holds the heel of a boot so the wearer can pull the foot out
millrace
C2
/ˈmɪlreɪs/
a channel that carries a current of water to or away from a waterwheel
clasp-knife
C2
/ˈklæspˌnaɪf/
dated: a pocketknife whose blade folds into the handle
carboy
C2
/ˈkɑːr.bɔɪ/
a large rigid bottle, traditionally glass, used for storing or transporting liquids such as acids or fermenting drinks
rockwork
C2
/ˈrɑkˌwɝk/
ornamental or structural work made from arranged rocks, especially in a garden
purlin
C2
/ˈpɝːlɪn/
a horizontal or longitudinal structural member in a roof that supports the rafters or roof covering
corrugation
C2
/ˌkɔrəˈɡeɪʃən/
the process or state of forming a surface into parallel ridges and grooves
triglyph
C2
/ˈtraɪɡlɪf/
architecture: a tablet with three vertical grooves in a Doric frieze
workbag
C2
/ˈwɝːkˌbæɡ/
a bag used to hold tools or materials needed for work, especially sewing, knitting, or other needlework
knop
C2
/nɑp/
an ornamental knob or rounded swelling on a stem, post, vessel, or architectural feature
baluster
C2
/ˈbælɪstɚ/
a short upright post that supports the handrail of a staircase, balcony, or terrace
weatherboarding
C2
/ˈwɛðɚˌbɔrdɪŋ/
a building's outer covering of long, usually overlapping boards designed to shed rain
helve
C2
/hɛlv/
the handle or haft of a tool or weapon, especially an axe or hammer
pedimented
C2
/ˈpɛd.əˌmɛn.tɪd/
architecture: furnished, crowned, or decorated with a pediment, or shaped like one
embank
C2
/ɪmˈbæŋk/
to confine, support, or protect land or water by constructing a raised bank of earth or stone
stone crusher
C2
/ˈstoʊn ˌkrʌʃ.ɚ/
a machine that breaks stone or rock into smaller pieces, especially for road building, concrete, quarrying, or ore processing
paper cutter
C2
/ˈpeɪ.pɚ ˌkʌt̬.ɚ/
a machine or device for cutting or trimming sheets of paper to a required size, often with a long hinged blade
sawpit
C2
/ˈsɔpɪt/
a pit over which timber was laid so two workers could saw it lengthwise, one standing above and one below
volute
C2
/vəˈluːt/
a spiral scroll ornament, especially one forming a characteristic part of an Ionic column capital
stylobate
C2
/ˈstaɪ.lə.beɪt/
architecture: the uppermost step or platform of a classical building's stepped base, directly supporting its columns
gallipot
C2
/ˈɡæl.iˌpɑːt/
A small, glazed earthenware jar once used by apothecaries for holding medicine and ointment
falsework
C2
/ˈfɔlsˌwɝk/
a temporary framework used in the building of bridges and arched structures in order to hold items in place until the structure is able to support itself.