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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114 words
attic
C2
/ˈætɪk/
of or relating to Attica or its inhabitants or to the dialect spoken in Athens in classical times
parlor
C2
/ˈpɑɹlɚ/
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
loft
C2
/lɔft/
a room or open space directly beneath a roof, often used for storage
crib
C2
/kɹɪb/
a card game, usually for two players, in which each player is dealt six cards and discards one or two
cradle
C2
/ˈkɹeɪdəl/
a small bed for a baby, often one that can rock
lunar
C2
/ˈlunɚ/
of or relating to or associated with the moon
knob
C2
/nɑb/
a rounded handle on a door, drawer, lid, or similar object
chateau
C2
/ʃæˈtoʊ/
Alternative spelling of château.
davenport
C2
/ˈdævɪnˌpɔɹt/
a large sofa usually convertible into a bed
purposely
C2
/ˈpɝpəsli/
On purpose; intentionally.
ventilator
C2
/ˈvɛntɪleɪtə/
a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure
candlelight
C2
/ˈkændllaɪt/
the soft light produced by one or more burning candles
castor
C2
/ˈkæstɚ/
historical: a small table container or a stand holding cruets and shakers for condiments
disobedience
C2
/ˌdɪsəˈbiːdiːəns/
Refusal to obey.
homestead
C2
/ˈhoʊmˌstɛd/
A house and the land and buildings around it, especially on a farm.
predatory
C2
/ˈpɹɛdəˌtɔɹi/
living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain
pulpit
C2
/ˈpʊlpɪt/
A raised platform in a church, sometimes enclosed, where the minister or preacher stands when giving the sermon; also, the lectern on such a platform.
cesspool
C2
/ˈsɛsˌpuːl/
an underground pit or sealed chamber used to collect sewage and waste water
boudoir
C2
/buˈdwɑɹ/
A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom.
housemaid
C2
/ˈhaʊsˌmeɪd/
A female domestic worker responsible for cleaning a house.
sanctum
C2
/ˈsæŋktəm/
a private room or retreat where someone can work or be undisturbed
rancho
C2
/ˈɹɑːnt͡ʃoʊ/
a simple rural hut or shelter, especially one used by herders or farm workers in Spanish America
poach
C2
/ˈpoʊt͡ʃ/
cook in a simmering liquid
mantel
C2
/ˈmæn.təl/
a shelf above a fireplace
trapdoor
C2
/ˈtræpˌdɔr/
a hinged or sliding door set into a floor, ceiling, or stage
matchbox
C2
/ˈmætʃˌbɑːks/
a small box made to hold matches, often with a rough striking surface on one side
mantelpiece
C2
/ˈmæntlpiːs/
A shelf that is affixed to the wall above a fireplace.
drafty
C2
/ˈdræf.ti/
allowing uncomfortable currents of cold air to enter through gaps or poor sealing
sideboard
C2
/ˈsaɪd.bɔːrd/
a low cabinet used in a dining room for storing tableware and serving food
larder
C2
/ˈlɑɹ.dɚ/
a cool room or cupboard used for storing food
alcove
C2
/ˈæl.koʊv/
a small recessed area opening from a larger room or other interior space
drainpipe
C2
/ˈdreɪnˌpaɪp/
a pipe that carries rainwater, wastewater, or another liquid away
awning
C2
/ˈɔnɪŋ/
a sheet of canvas or other material extended over a window, doorway, deck, or outdoor area to provide shelter from sun or rain
habitation
C2
/ˌhæb.ɪˈtæɪ.ʃən/
The state of people living in a place.
clothesline
C2
/ˈkloʊðzˌlaɪn/
a rope, cord, or wire from which washed clothes are hung to dry
summerhouse
C2
/ˈsʌmərˌhaʊs/
a small garden building used for sitting or relaxing in warm weather
concoct
C2
/kənˈkɒkt/
to prepare or cook by mixing ingredients
vesta
C2
/ˈves.tə/
historical: a short friction match, especially one made with a wax-coated stem
glassware
C2
/ˈɡlæsˌwɛr/
articles made of glass, especially drinking glasses, jugs, and other tableware
cloistered
C2
/ˈklɔɪstɝd/
Kept away from the wider world and its difficulties; sheltered
transcribe
C2
/trænˈskɹaɪb/
to rewrite in a different script or handwriting
hob
C2
/hɑb/
the flat cooking surface of a stove, especially one containing burners or hotplates
bassinet
C2
/ˌbæs.ɪˈnɛt/
a small bed for a newborn baby, traditionally basket-shaped and sometimes fitted with a hood
cheval
C2
/ʃəˈvæl/
a supporting frame, especially a frame holding a full-length mirror that can be tilted; also short for cheval glass
boardinghouse
C2
/ˈbɔrdɪŋˌhaʊs/
a private house that provides rooms and regular meals to paying residents
amphitheatre
C2
/ˈæm.pəˌθi.(j)ə.tɚ/
An open, outdoor theatre (which may be a theatre in the round, or have a stage with seating on only one side), especially one from the classical period of ancient Greece or Rome, or a modern venue of similar design.
colander
C2
/ˈkɑləndɚ/
A bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes in it used for draining food that has been cooking in water, such as pasta.
windowless
C2
/ˈwɪndoʊləs/
Having no windows, especially no external windows.
eave
C2
/iːv/
the lower edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall of a building
footstool
C2
/ˈfʊtˌstuːl/
a low stool on which a seated person rests the feet
redd
C2
/rɛd/
Scottish and northern English dialect, usually redd up: to put in order; tidy or clear
bedclothes
C2
/ˈbɛdˌkloʊðz/
sheets, blankets, quilts, and other coverings used on a bed
lean-to
C2
/ˈliːn.tuː/
a simple shelter or extension with a roof that slopes in one direction, often built against another structure
rathole
C2
/ˈrætˌhoʊl/
a burrow, entrance, or hole made or used by a rat
schoolroom
C2
/ˈskuːlˌruːm/
a room in a school where lessons take place
bric-a-brac
C2
/ˈbrɪk.əˌbræk/
a collection of small decorative objects, curios, and ornaments, usually of little practical or monetary value
flagon
C2
/ˈfleɪ̯ɡ(ə)n/
a large metal or pottery vessel with a handle and spout
unmolested
C2
/ˌənməˈlɛstɪd/
Not bothered, disturbed, or attacked.
domesticity
C2
/ˌdoʊˌmɛˈstɪsəti/
Home life and the everyday activities of running a household.
antechamber
C2
/ˈæn.tiˌtʃeɪm.bɚ/
a small outer room leading into a larger or more important room, often used for waiting
audibly
C2
/ˈɑːdəbli/
in an audible manner
indefinable
C2
/ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
defying expression or description
stovepipe
C2
/ˈstoʊvˌpaɪp/
a metal pipe that carries smoke and gases from a stove to a chimney or flue
latchkey
C2
/ˈlætʃˌki/
a key used to open the latch of an outside door
tinderbox
C2
/ˈtɪndɚˌbɑːks/
a small box holding tinder and usually a flint and steel, formerly used for starting fires
sconce
C2
/skɑns/
a decorative wall bracket that holds a candle, lamp, or other light
pergola
C2
/ˈpɝː.ɡə.lə/
an outdoor framework of posts and crossbeams, often supporting climbing plants and providing partial shade
pouf
C2
/puːf/
a low, firm, cushioned seat without a back or arms, also used as a footstool
backstairs
C2
/ˈbækˌstɛrz/
a secondary staircase at the rear of a building, traditionally used by servants or tradespeople
bedstead
C2
/ˈbɛdˌstɛd/
the rigid frame that supports a bed, excluding its mattress and bedding
coverlet
C2
/ˈkʌvɚlɪt/
a decorative or light bed covering, often quilted
housetop
C2
/ˈhaʊsˌtɑp/
the roof or uppermost part of a house
trivet
C2
/ˈtrɪv.ɪt/
a small stand or heat-resistant mat placed under a hot dish or pan to protect a table or work surface
hearthrug
C2
/ˈhɑrθˌrʌɡ/
a rug placed on the hearth or in front of a fireplace
imaginatively
C2
/ˌɪˈmædʒənəˌtɪvˌliː/
with imagination
delf
C2
/delf/
historical and dialectal: Delftware or other glazed earthenware, especially plates, dishes, and tea things
washstand
C2
/ˈwɑʃˌstænd/
a piece of furniture designed to hold a basin, pitcher, and other articles for washing
cruse
C2
/kruːs/
a small earthenware vessel for holding liquids, especially oil or water
snuffer
C2
/ˈsnʌfɚ/
a small cone or bell on a handle used to extinguish a candle flame
impracticable
C2
/ˌɪmˈpræktɪkəbəl/
not capable of being carried out or put into practice
doorpost
C2
/ˈdɔrˌpoʊst/
Either of the upright posts on either side of a door, which together support a lintel; doorjamb.
escritoire
C2
/ˌɛskrɪˈtwɑr/
a writing desk, especially one with a hinged panel that opens to form the writing surface
ewer
C2
/ˈju.ɚ/
a wide-mouthed jug with a handle and spout, traditionally used for holding and pouring water
wainscot
C2
/ˈweɪnˌskɑt/
paneling, traditionally wooden, covering the lower part of an interior wall
fanlight
C2
/ˈfænˌlaɪt/
a small window above a door or another window, traditionally semicircular with fan-shaped glazing bars
dilapidation
C2
/dəˌlæp.əˈdeɪ.ʃən/
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
dooryard
C2
/ˈdɔɹˌjɑɹd/
chiefly US or historical: the yard or open ground immediately outside a house door
confluent
C2
/ˈkɑn.flu.ənt/
Converging, merging or flowing together into one.
hearthstone
C2
/ˈhɑɹθˌstoʊn/
a flat stone forming part or all of a hearth
box room
C2
/ˈbɑks ˌɹum/
a small room used for storing boxes, luggage, and other household items, especially in a British home
fireless
C2
/ˈfaɪɚləs/
having no fire burning, or operating without an open flame
counterpane
C2
/ˈkaʊntərpeɪn/
a decorative cover spread over the top of a bed; a bedspread
andiron
C2
/ˈændˌaɪɚn/
one of a pair of metal supports used to hold burning logs above the hearth of a fireplace
bibelot
C2
/ˈbɪb.əˌloʊ/
a small decorative object, curiosity, or trinket, often collected for its beauty
jalousie
C2
/ˈd͡ʒæləsiː/
Upward sloping window slats which form a blind or shutter, allowing light and air in but excluding rain and direct sun.
snuggery
C2
/ˈsnʌɡəri/
chiefly British and dated: a small, private, comfortable room or retreat