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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157 words
tuck
C2
/tʌk/
to push or fold something into a safe, hidden, or close-fitting place
chant
C2
/t͡ʃænt/
to utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
clamp
C2
/ˈklæmp/
to impose or inflict forcefully
refill
C2
/ˈriːfɪl/
to fill a container or supply again after some or all of its contents have been used
orgy
C2
/ˈɔɹd͡ʒi/
any act of immoderate indulgence
exhale
C2
/ɛksˈheɪl/
give out (breath or an odor)
exterminate
C2
/ɪkˈstɝ.mɪ.neɪt/
kill en masse
disperse
C2
/dɪˈspɝs/
To spread out or scatter in different directions, or to make a group do so.
ignite
C2
/ɪɡˈnaɪt/
arouse or excite feelings and passions
wield
C2
/wiːld/
to hold and use a tool, weapon, or object effectively
depraved
C2
/diːˈpreɪvd/
Morally corrupt; wicked and disturbing.
denounce
C2
/diˈnaʊns/
To criticize someone or something strongly and publicly.
shroud
C2
/ˈʃɹæʊ̯d/
cover as if with a shroud
nudge
C2
/nʌd͡ʒ/
to push against gently
avail
C2
/əˈveɪl/
to use to one's advantage
tout
C2
/taʊt/
advertize in strongly positive terms
jolt
C2
/d͡ʒoʊlt/
a sudden jarring impact
indulgence
C2
/ɪnˈdʌl.d͡ʒəns/
Something you allow yourself to enjoy as a special treat.
swindle
C2
/ˈswɪnd(ə)l/
deprive of by deceit
hinder
C2
/ˈhɪndɚ/
To make it harder for something to happen or for someone to do something.
flaunt
C2
/flɔnt/
to display something ostentatiously so that it attracts notice or admiration
jiggle
C2
/ˈdʒɪɡ.əl/
to move or cause something to move with quick, small movements from side to side or up and down
celibate
C2
/ˈsɛləbət/
abstaining from sexual intercourse
dabble
C2
/ˈdæb.əl/
to take part in an activity casually or without serious commitment
recourse
C2
/ˈɹiːkɔɹs/
The use of someone or something for help in a difficult situation.
amok
C2
/əˈmɑk/
in an uncontrolled, often violent frenzy, chiefly in the expression 'run amok'
flay
C2
/fleɪ/
to strip the skin from a person, animal, or carcass
ply
C2
/ˈplaɪ/
to keep supplying someone with something, especially food, drink, or questions
clinch
C2
/klɪnt͡ʃ/
To settle or win something finally and for certain.
sift
C2
/sɪft/
to pass a dry substance through a sieve in order to remove lumps or separate particles
sunder
C2
/ˈsʌndɚ/
literary: to split, sever, or force apart
hindrance
C2
/ˈhɪndɹəns/
Something that makes it harder to do something; an obstacle.
quibble
C2
/ˈkwɪbəl/
argue over petty things
bridle
C2
/ˈbɹaɪdəl/
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
fabled
C2
/ˈfeɪbəld/
Famous in stories or legends.
electrocute
C2
/ɪˈlɛktɹəkjuːt/
kill by electrocution, as in the electric chair
ejection
C2
/əˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/
the act of forcing out someone or something
exhume
C2
/ɛksˈhuːm/
to remove a buried body or other object from the ground, especially for examination or reburial
dilation
C2
/ˌdaɪˈleɪʃən/
the act of expanding an aperture
mete
C2
/miːt/
to allot, dispense, or administer something, especially punishment or reward, usually in the phrase mete out
materialize
C2
/məˈtɪɹiəlaɪz/
To actually happen or become real, especially after being planned or expected.
whittle
C2
/ˈwɪt.əl/
to cut or shape wood by repeatedly shaving off small pieces with a knife
mutilate
C2
/ˈmjuː.tɪˌleɪt/
destroy or injure severely
constrained
C2
/kənˈstɹeɪnd/
Limited or restricted in what can be done.
averse
C2
/əˈvɝːs/
Strongly opposed to or unwilling to do something (usually followed by 'to').
indiscriminate
C2
/ˌɪndɪˈskrɪmənət/
not marked by fine distinctions
rebuke
C2
/ɹiˈbjuːk/
To criticise or scold someone sharply.
philanthropy
C2
/fɪˈlæn.θɹə.pi/
The act of giving money and help to good causes to improve people's lives.
evert
C2
/iˈvɝt/
to turn a structure outward or inside out, especially an organ, sac, eyelid, or other body part
crimp
C2
/krɪmp/
to press, pinch, or fold something into small ridges, waves, or tight curls
affiliate
C2
/əˈfɪliːˌeɪt/
a subsidiary or subordinate organization that is affiliated with another organization
triplicate
C2
/ˈtɹɪp.lɪ.kət/
to reproduce threefold
slaver
C2
/ˈslævər/
to let saliva run from the mouth; to drool or slobber
spurn
C2
/spɝn/
reject with contempt
pummel
C2
/ˈpʌməl/
to hit someone or something hard and repeatedly, especially with the fists
emphatic
C2
/ɛmˈfætɪk/
forceful and definite in expression or action
feint
C2
/ˈfeɪnt/
deceive by a mock action
burgeoning
C2
/ˈbɝ.d͡ʒə.nɪŋ/
Growing or developing quickly.
singe
C2
/sɪnd͡ʒ/
To burn something slightly on the surface.
interlocking
C2
/ˈɪntɝˌlɑːkɪŋ/
Fitted or joined closely together so that the parts connect.
ravish
C2
/ˈɹæ.vɪʃ/
To fill someone with intense delight; to enchant
inducement
C2
/ɪnˈdusmənt/
Something that encourages or persuades someone to do something; an incentive.
raiser
C2
/ˈɹeɪzɚ/
a person or thing that raises, increases, or brings something up
contrive
C2
/kənˈtɹaɪv/
To manage to do something difficult by being clever or resourceful.
echolocation
C2
/ˌɛkoʊloʊˈkeɪʃən/
The use of reflected sound, or echoes, to locate objects, as bats and dolphins do.
eviscerate
C2
/ɪˈvɪs.əˌreɪt/
to remove the internal organs or entrails from a person or animal
sate
C2
/seɪt/
to satisfy an appetite, thirst, curiosity, or desire fully
wrest
C2
/rɛst/
to take something away from someone by force or with determined effort
unbuckle
C2
/ʌnˈbʌkəl/
undo the buckle of
ad-lib
C2
/ˈædˈlɪb/
To say or do something without any preparation; to improvise.
foist
C2
/fɔɪst/
to force an unwanted, inferior, or deceptive thing on someone
allude
C2
/əˈlud/
To refer to something indirectly instead of mentioning it openly.
detract
C2
/dɪˈtrækt/
To make something seem less good or valuable.
edification
C2
/ˌɛdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
The act of improving someone morally, intellectually, or spiritually.
adornment
C2
/əˈdɔːnm(ə)nt/
Something added to make a person or thing more attractive; a decoration.
encroach
C2
/ɪnˈkroʊtʃ/
advance beyond the usual limit
pussyfoot
C2
/ˈpʊsiːˈfʊt/
to act timidly or cautiously.
dissemination
C2
/dɪˌsɛmɪˈneɪʃən/
The act of spreading information or ideas widely.
vouchsafe
C2
/ˌvʌʊtʃˈseɪf/
to grant in a condescending manner
slosh
C2
/slɑʃ/
spill or splash copiously or clumsily
pressurize
C2
/ˈpɹɛʃəɹaɪz/
To increase the air or gas pressure inside something, or keep it at a fixed level.
vilify
C2
/ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/
to spread negative information about
superimpose
C2
/ˌsuːpərɪmˈpoʊz/
to place one thing over another, especially so that both remain visible or distinguishable
nuzzle
C2
/ˈnʌz(ə)l/
dig out with the snout
backslide
C2
/ˈbækˌslaɪd/
to return to a worse condition, habit, or standard after improving
loll
C2
/lɑl/
hang loosely or laxly
uncouple
C2
/ʌnˈkʌpəl/
disconnect or separate
percolate
C2
/ˈpɝkəleɪt/
prepare in a percolator
tantalize
C2
/ˈtæntəlaɪz/
To tease someone by showing or offering something they want but cannot have.
conciliatory
C2
/kənˈsɪl.i.əˌtɔɹ.i/
Intended to end a disagreement and make peace.
mottled
C2
/ˈmɑt əld/
Covered with spots or patches of different colours.
expropriate
C2
/ɛksˈpɹəʊpɹi.eɪt/
deprive of possessions
geld
C2
/ɡɛld/
cut off the testicles (of male animals such as horses)
hypothesize
C2
/haɪˈpɑ.θəˌsaɪz/
To suggest an explanation for something without yet having proof.
vegetate
C2
/ˈvɛdʒəˌteɪt/
to live in a passive, monotonous, or mentally inactive way
galvanize
C2
/ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/
to stimulate muscles by administering a shock