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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46 words
suspenseful
C2
/səˈspɛnsfəl/
causing excited uncertainty or anxiety about what will happen next
bonfire
C2
/ˈbɑːn.faɪr/
a large controlled outdoor fire, especially one lit for celebration or as a signal
ceremonial
C2
/ˌsɛɹɪˈmoʊniəl/
marked by pomp or ceremony or formality
jubilee
C2
/ˈd͡ʒubəˌli/
a special anniversary or the celebration of it
domino
C2
/ˈdɑːmɪnoʊ/
a small rectangular game tile divided into two squares marked with dots
trapeze
C2
/trəˈpiːz/
a horizontal bar suspended by two ropes, used by acrobats for swinging performances
melodrama
C2
/ˈmɛl.əˌdɹɑː.mə/
a sensational dramatic work with exaggerated emotions, clear moral oppositions, stock characters, and an eventful plot
mediation
C2
/ˌmidiˈeɪʃən/
The process of helping two sides settle a dispute through a neutral third party.
acrobat
C2
/ˈæk.ɹə.bæt/
a performer or athlete who carries out difficult feats of balance, agility, and coordination, especially in a circus
frolic
C2
/ˈfɹɑlɪk/
To play and move about in a happy, lively, carefree way.
soiree
C2
/swɑːˈreɪ/
formal: an evening social gathering or party, often held in a private home and sometimes featuring music or conversation
marquee
C2
/mɑɹˈkiː/
a large tent used for an outdoor event
cameo
C2
/ˈkæm.i.oʊ/
a small but noticeable role or appearance by a well-known person in a film, play, or other work
pantomime
C2
/ˈpæn.təˌmaɪm/
in Britain, a comic musical stage show based on a traditional story and performed especially around Christmas
skittles
C2
/ˈskɪtəlz/
a game in which players roll or throw a ball to knock down a group of wooden pins
fete
C2
/feɪt/
An outdoor public celebration or party, often held to raise money for charity.
juggler
C2
/ˈdʒʌɡlɚ/
a performer who repeatedly throws and catches several objects or performs similar dexterity tricks
sleight
C2
/slaɪt/
skillful use of the hands, especially in performing tricks
romp
C2
/ɹɑmp/
To play in a lively, rough, and energetic way.
palais
C2
/pəˈleɪ/
a palace or grand public building, especially one with a French name or cultural setting
kaleidoscope
C2
/kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp/
a tube containing mirrors and loose colored pieces that form changing symmetrical patterns when rotated
harlequin
C2
/ˈhɑːrlɪkwɪn/
the agile, mischievous servant-clown of Italian commedia dell'arte, traditionally dressed in a diamond-patterned costume
ringmaster
C2
/ˈrɪŋˌmæstər/
the person who directs and announces the acts in a circus ring
whist
C2
/ˈwɪst/
a card game for four players who form two partnerships
angler
C2
/ˈæŋ.ɡlɚ/
a person who catches fish with a rod, hook, and line, especially for recreation
tomfoolery
C2
/ˌtɑːmˈfuː.lɚ.i/
playful, foolish, or nonsensical behavior or talk
ventriloquism
C2
/vɛnˈtɹɪləkwɪzəm/
the art of speaking with little visible lip movement so that the voice seems to come from another source
summarily
C2
/səˈmɛɹɪli/
Suddenly and without ceremony or proper discussion.
stargazing
C2
/ˈstɑrˌɡeɪzɪŋ/
observation of the stars
farcical
C2
/ˈfɑː(ɹ)sɪkəl/
So ridiculous or absurd that it seems like a joke.
adhesion
C2
/ædˈhiːʒən/
The way one surface sticks to another.
piquet
C2
/pɪˈkeɪ/
a card game for two players using a thirty-two-card pack and scoring combinations and tricks
popgun
C2
/ˈpɑpˌɡʌn/
a toy gun that shoots a cork or similar object and makes a popping sound
quadrille
C2
/kwɑˈdrɪl/
a four-player card game derived from ombre and especially popular in the eighteenth century
greenroom
C2
/ˈɡriːnˌruːm/
a room in a theater, studio, or venue where performers wait or relax before and after appearing
pyrotechnic
C2
/ˌpaɪroʊˈtɛknɪk/
relating to fireworks or the techniques used to make and display them
revelling
C2
/ˈɹɛvəlɪŋ/
boisterous or festive celebration, especially with drinking; revelry
festoon
C2
/fesˈtuːn/
a decorative chain of flowers, paper, fabric, or lights hung in a curve between two points
woodcraft
C2
/ˈwʊdˌkræft/
knowledge and skill in living, traveling, hunting, or finding one's way in woodland
misdeal
C2
/ˌmɪsˈdiːl/
to distribute playing cards incorrectly
dicer
C2
/ˈdaɪsɚ/
a person who gambles with dice
euchre
C2
/ˈjukɚ/
a card game for two to four players, usually played with a reduced deck and a trump suit
disport
C2
/dɪˈspɔɹt/
to enjoy oneself by playing or behaving in a lively, carefree way
trotline
C2
/ˌtɹɑtˈlaɪ̯n/
a long fishing line set in the water with many shorter baited lines and hooks attached
ninepin
C2
/ˈnaɪnˌpɪn/
one of the nine wooden pins set up as targets in the game of ninepins; a skittle
carousal
C2
/kəˈraʊzəl/
noisy, festive, and often drunken revelry, or an occasion marked by such revelry