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.
Choose your level
All 27,237 words
4363 words
perseverance
B2
/ˌpɝsəˈvɪɹəns/
The quality of continuing to try hard even when something is difficult.
noticeable
B1
/ˈnoʊtɪsəbl̩/
Easy to see or notice.
mausoleum
B2
/ˌmɔ.səˈli.əm/
A large, grand building that contains a tomb or several tombs.
zeppelin
C2
/ˈzɛpɪlɪn/
a large rigid dirigible designed to carry passengers or bombs
frightfully
B2
/ˈfɹaɪtfəli/
Very, extremely.
pertinent
C1
/ˈpɚtɪnənt/
Directly relating to the subject being discussed; relevant.
undeniable
B2
/ˌəndɪˈnaɪəbəl/
Irrefutable, or impossible to deny.
inexplicable
C1
/ˌɪn.ɪkˈsplɪ.kə.bl̩/
Impossible to understand or explain.
intuitive
C1
/ɪnˈt(j)uɪtɪv/
Easy to understand and use without instruction.
improbable
B2
/ɪmˈpɹɑbəbl̩/
Not likely to happen or to be true.
indirectly
B1
/ˌɪn.dɪˈɹek(t).li/
In a way that is not direct or immediate.
scenic
B1
/ˈsiːnɪk/
Having beautiful natural views.
graciously
C1
/ˈɡɹeɪʃəsli/
in a gracious or graceful manner
reluctantly
C1
/ɹɪˈlʌktəntli/
In an unwilling or hesitant way.
abstinence
C2
/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/
The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
midsummer
B2
/mɪdˈsʌmə(ɹ)/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
stupidly
B2
/ˈstuːpədˌliː/
in a stupid manner
mesh
C2
/mɛʃ/
A material made of connected threads, wire, or rope with small evenly spaced holes.
sable
C2
/ˈseɪbəl/
black or very dark, especially in literary description or heraldry
beagle
B2
/ˈbiːɡəl/
A small dog with short legs and a smooth coat, often kept as a pet and used for hunting.
sanitary
B2
/ˈsænɪˌtɛɹi/
Clean and free from germs; hygienic.
severity
B2
/səˈvɛɹəti/
excessive sternness
flexibility
B2
/ˈflɛksɪb(ɪ)lɪʈi/
The ability to change easily to suit new conditions.
electoral
C1
/ɪˈlɛk.tɚ.əl/
Relating to elections or voting.
persistence
B2
/pɝˈsɪstəns/
The quality of continuing to try hard despite difficulty.
babble
C2
/ˈbæb.(ə)l/
To talk quickly in a confused or foolish way that is hard to follow.
adverse
C1
/ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/
Bad or harmful; having a negative effect.
knowledgeable
C1
/ˈnɑ.lɪ.d͡ʒə.bəl/
Knowing a lot, especially about a particular subject.
soundly
B2
/ˈsaʊndli/
completely and absolutely
comparable
C1
/ˈkɑmp.(ə.)ɹə.bɫ̩/
Similar enough to be compared; of a similar size, quality, or level.
deceptive
B2
/dɪˈsɛp.tɪv/
Likely to make you believe something that is not true; misleading.
vitality
C1
/vaɪˈtælɪti/
Great energy and liveliness.
critically
B2
/ˈkɹɪt.ɪk.li/
In a way that involves careful judgment or analysis.
loosely
B2
/ˈluːsli/
In a way that is not tight or firmly fixed.
pushover
C2
/ˈpʊʃəʊvə(ɹ)/
any undertaking that is easy to do
astral
C2
/ˈæstɹəl/
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
delicately
B2
/ˈdɛlɪkətli/
In a careful, gentle, or graceful way.
gory
B2
/ˈɡɔɹ.i/
covered or stained with blood
handsomely
C2
/ˈhæn(t)səmli/
in a generously handsome manner
faceless
C2
/ˈfeɪs.ləs/
having no visible or recognizable face
finely
B2
/ˈfaɪnli/
Into very small or thin pieces.
intellectually
C1
/ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuːəli/
in an intellectual manner
papaya
B2
/pəˈpa.ja/
A large, sweet tropical fruit with orange flesh and small black seeds.
craftsman
B2
/ˈkɹæftsmən/
A worker who is highly skilled at a trade, especially one done by hand.
professionalism
C1
/pɹəˈfɛʃənəˌlɪzəm/
The skill, good judgement, and high standards expected of someone doing a job well.
three-dimensional
C2+
/ˌθriːzdɪˈmɛnʃənəl/
Lifelike.
snowstorm
B1
/ˈsnəʊstɔːm/
A storm with strong winds and heavy snowfall.
fondly
B2
/ˈfɑndli/
In a loving or affectionate way.
systematic
B1
/ˌsɪs.təˈmæt.ɪk/
Done in a careful, organized, and thorough way according to a plan.
arguably
C1
/ˈɑɹɡjuəbli/
Used to say something can be reasonably argued or claimed, even if not everyone agrees.
veritable
C2
/ˈvɛ.ɹɪ.tə.bl/
Used to emphasise that a description is accurate or fitting; real or genuine.
degradation
C1
/ˌdɛgrəˈdeɪʃən/
A drop to a lower, worse state, especially in quality or condition.
red-hot
C2
/ˌredˈhɑːt/
so hot that it glows red
docile
C1
/ˈdɑ.səl/
Quiet and easy to control or manage.
northwestern
B1
/nɔːθˈwɛstn̩/
In, from, or facing the northwest.
crippling
C2
/ˈkrɪpəlɪŋ/
Causing serious harm, damage, or a problem too big to overcome.
daunting
C1
/ˈdɔntɪŋ/
Seeming so difficult or large that it makes you feel nervous or discouraged.
mistakenly
B2
/mɪˈsteɪ.kən.li/
in a mistaken manner
blister
C1
/ˈblɪstɚ/
A small bubble on the skin filled with fluid, caused by rubbing, burning, or irritation.
notoriously
C2
/noʊˈtɔriːəsli/
In a way that is widely known, usually for something bad or difficult.
woolly
A2
/ˈwʊli/
covered with wool or with dense, soft hair resembling wool
ratty
C1
/ˈræti/
informal, especially US: old, worn, dirty, or in poor condition
qualification
B1
/ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
An official record, such as a diploma or degree, showing you have completed training or passed an exam.
indiscretion
C2
/ˌɪndɪsˈkɹɛʃən/
An unwise or careless act or remark, especially one that causes embarrassment.
forcefully
B2
/ˈfɔrsfəli/
In a strong and powerful way.
billiards
C1
/ˈbɪl.jɚdz/
A game played on a cloth-covered table in which players use long sticks to hit balls into one another or into pockets.
inexcusable
C1
/ˌɪnɪksˈkjuːzəbəl/
So bad that it cannot be justified or forgiven.
rationally
B2
/ˈræʃənəli/
in a rational manner
shoddy
C2
/ˈʃɑ.di/
poorly made, carelessly done, or inferior in quality
preferable
B2
/ˈpɹef.(ə.)ɹə.b(ə)l/
Better or more suitable than another option.
hastily
B2
/ˈheɪstɪli/
In a quick and hurried way, often without enough care.
transparency
C1
/tɹænsˈpæɹənsi/
Openness and honesty that allows others to see how things are done.
unfulfilled
B2
/ˌʌnfʊlˈfɪld/
not carried out, achieved, supplied, or brought to completion
moldy
B2
/ˈmoʊldi/
covered with, affected by, or smelling of mold
piety
B1
/ˈpaɪ.ɪ.ti/
Deep respect for God and a strong commitment to religion.
shrill
C2
/ˈʃrɪl/
of colors that are bright and gaudy
tightrope
B2
/ˈtaɪtˌɹoʊp/
A tightly stretched rope or wire on which acrobats perform high above the ground.
bulky
C1
/ˈbʌlki/
Large and awkward to carry or store.
strait
B2
/stɹeɪt/
A narrow channel of sea connecting two larger areas of water.
buzzard
C2
/ˈbʌzəɹd/
A large bird of prey with broad wings and a broad tail, common in Europe.
contradictory
B2
/ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪktəɹi/
Containing or describing things that cannot both be true; in conflict with each other.
faux
C2
/foʊ/
made in imitation of something else; artificial or not genuine
plume
C2
/ˈplum/
A large, showy feather, often used as a decoration.
informative
B1
/ɪnˈfɔɹmətɪv/
Giving useful or interesting facts.
badminton
A2
/ˈbæd.mɪn.tən/
A racquet sport in which players hit a shuttlecock over a high net, usually played indoors.
mogul
B2
/ˈmoʊɡəl/
A very rich or powerful person, especially in business or media.
breezy
B2
/ˈbɹiːzi/
Pleasantly windy.
wherein
B2
/wɛˈɹɪn/
How, or in what way.
insightful
C1
/ɪnˈsaɪt.f(ə)l/
Showing a clear and deep understanding of something.
curiously
B1
/ˈkjʊɹ.i.əs.li/
In a way that shows you want to know or learn about something.
methodical
C1
/mɪˈθɑdɪkəl/
Done in a careful, orderly, and systematic way.
politeness
B2
/pəˈlaɪtnəs/
The quality of having good manners and showing respect for others.
macabre
C1
/məˈkɑb/
Disturbing and gruesome, especially because it deals with death.
cosmopolitan
C2
/ˌkɑz.məˈpɑl.ɪ.tən/
of worldwide scope or applicability
brimstone
C2
/ˈbɹɪmstoʊn/
An old name for the element sulfur.
magpie
C2
/ˈmæɡˌpaɪ/
A noisy black-and-white bird with a long tail, related to the crow.