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Word
English Vocabulary
Pick a CEFR level (A1–C2, plus C2+ for rare words beyond the CEFR scale) — 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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View all levelsC2+ is beyond the official CEFR scale: rare, specialist, and literary words kept for reference.
855 words
creak
C2
/kɹiːk/
a squeaking sound
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hornet
C2
/ˈhɔɹnɪt/
a large social wasp, especially one of the genus Vespa, capable of delivering a powerful sting
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ell
C2
/ɛl/
a former unit for measuring cloth, equal in England to 45 inches or about 1.14 metres
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amor
C2
/ˈæmɝ/
Alternative spelling of amour.
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conduit
C2
/ˈkɒnd(j)ʊɪt/
A pipe or channel that carries water, wires, or other things.
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candlelight
C2
/ˈkændllaɪt/
the soft light produced by one or more burning candles
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ach
C2
/ɑːx/
An expression of annoyance.
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armageddon
C2
/ˌɑɹ.məˈɡɛ.dn̩/
the end of the world
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minefield
C2
/ˈmaɪnˌfild/
A situation full of hidden risks, dangers, or difficulties.
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roe
C2
/roʊ/
a small Eurasian deer of the genus Capreolus, now usually called a roe deer
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totem
C2
/ˈtoʊtəm/
a natural being or object that serves as the emblem of a kinship group and may have a special spiritual relationship with it
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dem
C2
/dɛm/
Clipping of Democrat.
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tic
C2
/tɪk/
a sudden, rapid, repeated movement or vocal sound that is difficult to control
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spunk
C2
/spʌŋk/
the courage to carry on
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sentinel
C2
/ˈsɛn.tɪ.nəl/
a guard or watchman posted to keep lookout
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teapot
C2
/ˈti.pɔt/
pot for brewing tea
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opal
C2
/ˈoʊpəl/
a translucent form of hydrated silica, often used as a gemstone and prized for flashes of changing color
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hindsight
C2
/ˈhaɪn(d)saɪt/
Understanding of an event only after it has already happened.
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jolt
C2
/d͡ʒoʊlt/
a sudden jarring impact
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rattlesnake
C2
/ˈɹæt.əlˌsneɪk/
any of several venomous American pit vipers with interlocking horny segments at the tail tip that produce a rattling warning sound
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cluck
C2
/klʌk/
the sound made by a hen, as in calling her chicks
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smudge
C2
/ˈsmʌdʒ/
a blemish made by dirt
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handiwork
C2
/ˈhændiˌwɝk/
work done by hand, or an object made through manual skill
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cashmere
C2
/ˈkæʃ.mɪr/
very fine, soft fiber obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats
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crutch
C2
/kɹʌt͡ʃ/
anything that serves as an expedient
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ruff
C2
/ɹəf/
common Eurasian sandpiper
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annex
C2
/əˈnɛks/
An extra building or section added to a larger one
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promenade
C2
/pɹɑməˈneɪd/
A wide public path for walking, often by the sea.
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saffron
C2
/ˈsæfɹən/
a costly yellow-orange spice made from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus
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bluebell
C2
/ˈbluˌbɛl/
Various flowering plants with blue, usually pendulous, flowers.
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scrapbook
C2
/ˈskɹæpˌbʊk/
a book in which photographs, clippings, notes, and other memorabilia are collected and arranged
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antelope
C2
/ˈæn.tɪ.loʊp/
The pronghorn, Antilocapra americana.
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sou
C2
/suː/
a former French coin of low denomination
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zeppelin
C2
/ˈzɛpɪlɪn/
a large rigid dirigible designed to carry passengers or bombs
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sarcophagus
C2
/sɑːrˈkɑːfəɡəs/
a stone coffin, often carved or decorated and displayed above ground
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salvo
C2
/ˈsælvoʊ/
a sudden outburst of cheers
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keyhole
C2
/ˈkiˌhoʊl/
the hole where a key is inserted
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fawn
C2
/fɔn/
A young deer.
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gazelle
C2
/ɡəˈzel/
a small, slender, swift antelope native to Africa or Asia
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stardust
C2
/ˈstɑrˌdʌst/
fine particles of matter originating in stars or present in interstellar space
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boomerang
C2
/ˈbuːməræŋ/
an Australian Aboriginal curved throwing implement, some forms of which return toward the thrower when properly thrown
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musk
C2
/mɐsk/
A greasy secretion with a powerful odour, produced in a glandular sac of the male musk deer and used in the manufacture of perfumes.
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rem
C2
/rɛm/
a non-SI unit of radiation dose equivalent equal to 0.01 sievert
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bile
C2
/baɪl/
a bitter digestive fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
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trapeze
C2
/trəˈpiːz/
a horizontal bar suspended by two ropes, used by acrobats for swinging performances
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sacrilege
C2
/ˈsækɹəlɪdʒ/
the violation, misuse, or profanation of something regarded as sacred
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vanguard
C2
/ˈvænˌɡɑɹd/
the position of greatest importance or advancement
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corkscrew
C2
/ˈkɔɹk.skɹu/
An implement for opening bottles that are sealed by a cork. Sometimes specifically such an implement that includes a screw-shaped part, or worm.
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axle
C2
/ˈæk.səl/
a shaft or pin on which a wheel or other rotating part turns
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wildfire
C2
/ˈwaɪldˌfaɪr/
a large, uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation or wild land
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bluebird
C2
/ˈbluːˌbɝd/
any of three North American thrushes of the genus Sialia, whose males have conspicuous blue plumage
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apostle
C2
/əˈpɑsl̩/
One of the early leaders of a religious mission, especially the twelve chief followers of Jesus.
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fennel
C2
/ˈfɛnəl/
an aromatic herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers, cultivated for its edible leaves, seeds, and swollen stem base
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crematorium
C2
/ˌkriː.məˈtɔːr.i.əm/
a building or facility where dead bodies are cremated
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bard
C2
/bɑɹd/
a poet and singer in a Celtic tradition, especially one who composed verses celebrating heroes and notable events
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mallard
C2
/ˈmælɚd/
a widespread dabbling duck, Anas platyrhynchos, from which most domestic duck breeds descend; the male has a glossy green head
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brim
C2
/ˈbrɪm/
The top edge of a cup, bowl, or other container
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ligature
C2
/ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃɚ/
a cord, band, or other fastening used to bind things together
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hilt
C2
/hɪlt/
the handle assembly of a sword or dagger, including its grip, guard, and pommel
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bourgeoisie
C2
/ˌbʊə(ɹ)ʒwɑːˈziː/
A class of citizens who were wealthier members of the third estate.
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forefront
C2
/ˈfɔɹfɹʌnt/
the part in the front or nearest the viewer
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hallmark
C2
/ˈhɔlmɑɹk/
A distinguishing characteristic.
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kelp
C2
/ˈkɛlp/
large brown seaweeds having fluted leathery fronds
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amour
C2
/əˈmʊɹ/
a love affair, especially one kept secret or considered illicit
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mucus
C2
/ˈmjuːkəs/
a slippery secretion produced by mucous membranes and some other biological surfaces for protection or lubrication
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molasses
C2
/məˈlæsɪz/
A thick, sweet syrup drained from sugarcane, especially (Canada, US) the still thicker and sweeter syrup produced by boiling down raw molasses.
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thyroid
C2
/ˈθaɪrɔɪd/
an endocrine gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism, growth, and development
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lint
C2
/lɪnt/
loose short fibers or fuzzy fluff shed by cloth and yarn
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caribou
C2
/ˈkærəbuː/
a North American reindeer, a large Arctic and subarctic deer in which both sexes can grow antlers
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rectum
C2
/ˈrɛktəm/
the final section of the large intestine, between the colon and the anal canal, where feces are held before elimination
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typhus
C2
/ˈtaɪfəs/
any of a group of acute bacterial diseases caused by Rickettsia and spread by lice, fleas, or mites, typically producing high fever and a rash
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godson
C2
/ˈɡɑdˌsʌn/
a male godchild, especially one whose baptism is sponsored by a godparent
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plume
C2
/ˈplum/
A large, showy feather, often used as a decoration.
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helix
C2
/ˈhiːlɪks/
a three-dimensional curve that winds around an axis at a constant slope, as in a screw or spiral staircase
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scallop
C2
/ˈskɑləp/
a marine bivalve mollusc with a fan-shaped, fluted shell, capable of swimming by rapidly opening and closing its shell
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veranda
C2
/vɝˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building, sometimes partly enclosed
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grotto
C2
/ˈɡɹɑ.toʊ/
a small picturesque cave, especially one associated with water or unusual rock formations
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stigma
C2
/ˈstɪɡmə/
a mark of shame or social disapproval
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gazebo
C2
/ɡəˈziːboʊ/
a small roofed building affording shade and rest
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skyline
C2
/ˈskaɪlaɪn/
the outline of buildings, mountains, or other objects seen against the sky
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lull
C2
/lʌl/
a period of calm weather
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tush
C2
/tʌʃ/
an exclamation expressing impatience, dismissal, or disbelief
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sharif
C2
/ʃəˈriːf/
a descendant of the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima, traditionally entitled to a rank of nobility
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sawmill
C2
/ˈsɑːˌmɪl/
a factory or mill where logs are cut into boards and other lumber
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cesspool
C2
/ˈsɛsˌpuːl/
an underground pit or sealed chamber used to collect sewage and waste water
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myriad
C2
/ˈmɪriːəd/
A very large number of something.
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trachea
C2
/ˈtɹeɪ.ki.ə/
membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi
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entrails
C2
/ˈɛn.tɹeɪlz/
internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)
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debacle
C2
/dɪˈbɑ.kəl/
An event or enterprise that ends suddenly and disastrously, often with humiliating consequences.
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morsel
C2
/ˈmɔɹsəl/
a small quantity of anything
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drizzle
C2
/ˈdrɪz.əl/
very light rain falling in fine drops
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gargoyle
C2
/ˈɡɑrɡɔɪl/
a grotesquely carved waterspout that carries rainwater away from a building
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wicket
C2
/ˈwɪkɪt/
A small door or gate, especially one beside a larger one.
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camaraderie
C2
/ˌkɑm(ə)ˈɹɑdəɹi/
Close friendship in a group of friends or teammates.
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precipice
C2
/ˈpɹɛsɪpɪs/
A very steep cliff.
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caliph
C2
/ˈkeɪlɪf/
a Muslim political and religious ruler claiming succession to the authority of the prophet Muhammad
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