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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61 words
hitch
C2
/hɪt͡ʃ/
A small problem or delay that interrupts progress.
yank
C2
/ˈjæŋk/
to pull, or move with a sudden movement
tactic
C2
/ˈtæktɪk/
A particular action or method planned to achieve a goal.
sling
C2
/ˈslɪŋ/
hold or carry in a sling
rebound
C2
/ˈɹi.baʊnd/
To bounce back after hitting something.
expel
C2
/ɪkˈspɛl/
force to leave or move out
skid
C2
/skɪd/
to slide suddenly or sideways across a surface with little or no control
funnel
C2
/ˈfʊnəl/
move or pour through a funnel
collide
C2
/kəˈlaɪd/
To crash into something with force.
unravel
C2
/ˌʌnˈɹævəl/
To gradually understand or solve something complicated, such as a mystery or problem.
spunk
C2
/spʌŋk/
the courage to carry on
dangle
C2
/ˈdæŋ.ɡəl/
to hang loosely and be able to swing
dribble
C2
/ˈdɹɪ.bɫ̩/
To let a liquid fall slowly in small drops.
whisk
C2
/ˈwɪsk/
whip with or as if with a wire whisk
squirm
C2
/skwɝm/
To twist your body uncomfortably, especially out of shame or embarrassment.
topple
C2
/ˈtɑpl̩/
To become unsteady and fall over, or to push something over.
conspire
C2
/kənˈspaɪə(ɹ)/
to engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
kinetic
C2
/kɪˈnɛtɪk/
Relating to or produced by movement.
trickle
C2
/ˈtɹɪkəl/
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
skedaddle
C2
/skɪˈdædəl/
informal: to leave or run away quickly, especially in alarm
ricochet
C2
/ˈrɪk.əˌʃeɪ/
a glancing rebound from a surface, especially by a bullet or other projectile
sidle
C2
/ˈsaɪ.dəl/
to move sideways or approach in a quiet, cautious, or furtive manner
mediate
C2
/ˈmidieɪt/
To help opposing sides reach an agreement by acting as a neutral go-between.
reciprocate
C2
/ɹɪˈsɪpɹəˌkeɪt/
alternate the direction of motion of
disembark
C2
/ˌdɪs.ɪmˈbɑɹk/
to go ashore out of a ship or boat; to leave a train or aircraft.
fluctuation
C2
/flʌkt͡ʃuːˈeɪʃən/
An irregular rise and fall in something; a continual change.
slither
C2
/ˈslɪð.ɚ/
To move smoothly along the ground with a twisting, side-to-side motion, like a snake.
straddle
C2
/ˈstɹædəl/
to sit or stand with one leg on each side of something
fidget
C2
/ˈfɪdʒ.ɪt/
to make repeated small movements, especially because of nervousness, impatience, or boredom
jostle
C2
/ˈd͡ʒɑ.səl/
come into rough contact with while moving
scud
C2
/skʌd/
to move quickly and smoothly, especially when driven by the wind
locomotion
C2
/ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.ʃən/
Movement, or the ability to move from one place to another.
nestle
C2
/ˈnɛsəl/
to settle or press oneself closely into a comfortable, sheltered, or affectionate position
waggle
C2
/ˈwæɡ.əl/
to move something repeatedly with short, quick motions from side to side or up and down
trundle
C2
/ˈtrʌndəl/
to move or cause something to move slowly and heavily, often on wheels
traipse
C2
/tɹeɪps/
informal: to walk from place to place, especially wearily, reluctantly, or over a needlessly long distance
clamber
C2
/ˈklæmbɚ/
to climb with difficulty, using hands and feet
uncross
C2
/ˌʌnˈkrɔs/
to move crossed arms, legs, or other things apart into an uncrossed position
moribund
C2
/ˈmɔrəbənd/
Close to dying; about to come to an end.
cavort
C2
/kəˈvɔːrt/
to jump, dance, or move about in a lively, playful, and often noisy way
slue
C2
/sluː/
to turn, swing, or pivot sharply, especially around a fixed point
decamp
C2
/dɪˈkæmp/
to leave a place suddenly or secretly, often in order to avoid trouble
careen
C2
/kəˈɹiːn/
to move rapidly and unsteadily from side to side, as though likely to overturn
tromp
C2
/tɹɒmp/
to walk, tread, or stamp heavily, often crushing what is underfoot
permeable
C2
/ˈpɝmiəbəl/
allowing fluids or gases to pass or diffuse through
totter
C2
/ˈtɑtɚ/
To walk or stand unsteadily, as if about to fall.
augury
C2
/ˈɔː.ɡjʊ.ɹi/
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
splay
C2
/spleɪ/
to spread or turn outward and apart, especially from a central point
shamble
C2
/ˈʃæmbl̩/
To walk slowly and awkwardly, dragging or shuffling your feet.
flitter
C2
/ˈflɪtər/
to move rapidly and lightly with an irregular, fluttering motion
perambulation
C2
/pɚˌæmbjəˈleɪʃən/
formal or humorous: a walk, stroll, or tour made on foot
perambulate
C2
/pɚˈæmbjəˌleɪt/
formal or humorous: to walk about, stroll, or travel through a place
joggle
C2
/ˈdʒɑːɡəl/
to shake or move slightly to and fro
repass
C2
/riːˈpæs/
to pass again or return over the same route or point
jink
C2
/dʒɪŋk/
to make a sudden quick turn in order to avoid someone or something
acrobatically
C2
In a way that involves skilful, agile physical movement.
kinetically
C2
In a way that relates to or involves movement.
uprush
C2
/ˈʌpˌɹʌʃ/
a sudden rapid movement or surge upward
reascend
C2
/ˌɹiːəˈsɛnd/
to ascend or rise again
tantivy
C2
/tænˈtɪvi/
archaic: a rapid gallop, headlong ride, or swift rushing movement
disembogue
C2
/ˌdɪs.ɪmˈboʊɡ/
of a river, stream, or channel: to flow out into the sea or another larger body of water